Facebook: Most Popular Football Players, by number of fans
PlayerFacebook fans,
in millions
Cristiano Ronaldo122.28
Lionel Messi90.16
Neymar Jr.59.86
David Beckham51.69
John Cena43.82
Virat Kohli37.01
Ronaldinho Gaúcho34.16
James Rodriguez31.95
Mesut Özil31.02
Kaká30.38
  • Region: Worldwide
  • Time period: Jan 2023
  • Published: Jan 2023

Data Analysis and Insights

Updated: Apr 13, 2024 | Published by: Statistico | About Us | Data sources

Cristiano Ronaldo leads with 122.28 million Facebook fans

Cristiano Ronaldo dominates the chart with 122.28 million Facebook fans, setting a remarkable precedence in popularity. His fan base exceeds that of Lionel Messi, the second-most popular football player on Facebook, by over 32 million fans. This significant gap underscores Ronaldo's unparalleled global appeal and social media dominance within the football community.

Lionel Messi and Neymar Jr. secure top three positions

Lionel Messi and Neymar Jr. firmly hold the second and third spots with 90.16 million and 59.86 million Facebook fans, respectively. Messi's fan count notably surpasses Neymar's by over 30 million, indicating a clear preference among Facebook users. Together, these three athletes represent the pinnacle of football's social media influence, collectively amassing over 272 million fans.

David Beckham remains influential despite retirement

David Beckham, with 51.69 million fans, stands out as the most popular retired football player on Facebook. His presence among the top four highlights his enduring legacy and influence in the football world, even years after his retirement. Beckham's fan base rivals that of active players, illustrating the lasting impact of his career on and off the field.

Football players dominate over other sports

Among the listed athletes, John Cena and Virat Kohli, from wrestling and cricket respectively, are the only non-football players featured. Cena ranks fifth with 43.82 million fans, and Kohli sits in sixth place with 37.01 million. Their inclusion alongside football giants showcases their individual global appeal but also highlights football's dominant presence on social media platforms.

Ronaldinho Gaúcho and Kaká reflect nostalgia's power

Ronaldinho Gaúcho and Kaká, with 34.16 million and 30.38 million Facebook fans, respectively, underscore the power of nostalgia among fans. Despite both being retired, their fan bases remain significant, underscoring the lasting impact of their careers and the enduring affection from fans worldwide.

The top 10 encompasses a wide fan base range

The range of Facebook fans within the top 10 varies significantly, from Cristiano Ronaldo's leading 122.28 million to Kaká's 30.38 million. This variance illustrates the diverse levels of engagement and popularity football players achieve on social media, with factors such as career achievements, personal brand, and off-field activities influencing their online following.

James Rodriguez and Mesut Özil demonstrate consistent appeal

James Rodriguez and Mesut Özil, with 31.95 million and 31.02 million Facebook fans respectively, showcase the consistent appeal of football players who have made significant international impacts. Their closely matched fan counts reflect a stable level of global support, highlighting the importance of international play and personal branding in building a social media presence.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who leads in terms of Facebook popularity among footballers?

Cristiano Ronaldo is the most popular footballer on Facebook with a fanbase of 122.28 million.

Who is the most popular retired footballer on Facebook?

David Beckham is the most popular retired football player on Facebook, with a fanbase of 51.69 million.

Terms and Definitions

An online social networking service where users can post comments, share photographs and links to news or other interesting content on the Web, play games, chat live, and stream live video.

A team sport played with an oval ball that can be kicked or carried to the other team's goal, with points given for getting the ball across the line. It is widely known globally, with many professional leagues and competitions.

Individuals who play the game of football professionally. These individuals often display remarkable skills and are members of football teams that compete against others in various leagues and competitions.

Short for fanatic, refers to individuals who have a strong interest and oftentimes an intense devotion or enthusiasm towards a particular person, group or team, like football players, or an activity such as a sport.

The ability to influence the perception, opinions, behaviors and actions of individuals and masses through the use of social media platforms such as Facebook. This influence is often measured by the size of social media following or community, engagement levels, and the extent to which content is shared or liked.

A public profile created on Facebook for a business, brand, celebrity, cause, or other organization or entity. Unlike personal Facebook profile pages, which are meant for individual use, Facebook Pages allow 'fans' to 'like' the page and receive updates from it in their own news feed. Pages can post stories, host events, add apps, and more.
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