Among the most popular social media sites used by users worldwide is Instagram. For many people these days, using Instagram daily is practically a need. Additionally, it enables them to keep up with their favourite athletes. Among the few celebrities whose lavish lives on social media platforms like Instagram pique the public’s curiosity more than others are professional athletes. Here, we see the most popular athletes in the world on Instagram.
The biggest names in sports are highlighted on the “Most Followed Athletes on Instagram” list, which highlights their popularity on the social media site. These athletes are well-known both in their respective sports and online thanks to the millions of followers they have accumulated. This list features sportsmen who have won over fans’ hearts and minds through their captivating Instagram posts and updates, from NBA superstar LeBron James to cricket sensation Virat Kohli and soccer legends Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi.
Most followed athletes in the world:
10. Zlatan Ibrahimovic (63.4):
Known for his exuberant personality and exceptional football abilities, Zlatan Ibrahimovic has amassed 63.4 million Instagram followers. Every league the mysterious Swede has played in has seen his impact, and his social media presence is no exception. Zlatan has a diverse following on Instagram that includes content that is inspirational, self-assured, funny, and positive.
His posts frequently feature his catchphrases and memorable moments, which help to create an unforgettable online persona. Zlatan, who is in his later years of career, is one of the most engaging and well-liked athletes on the platform due to his growing digital influence.
9. Marcelo Vieira Jr (65.6):
Marcelo, whose real name is Marcelo Vieira da Silva Júnior, is a Brazilian football sensation with 65.6 million Instagram followers. Marcelo, a vital member of both Real Madrid and the Brazil national team, has excelled on the pitch and is now in the digital sphere. Fans can get an intimate glimpse into his life through his Instagram account, which shows off his training regimens, intimate moments, and relationships with teammates.
Adidas also sponsors Marcelo, which enhances his online visibility even more. Marcelo is still among the best athletes to follow on Instagram because of his interesting content and steadily expanding fan base.
8. Ronaldinho (74.6):
The master of Brazilian football, Ronaldinho, is an unexpected addition to the list of athletes with the highest Instagram followings. He proves that his charm off the pitch equals his entrancing abilities on it with his 74.6 million followers.
Even after leaving the NFL, Ronaldinho stays active on social media by talking about his trips, encounters with other sportsmen, and football-related experiences. His posts serve as evidence of his ongoing appeal and his devoted following around the world. Ronaldinho’s reputation as one of the most adored and captivating athletes on Instagram has been cemented by his ability to engage with fans through social media.
7. David Beckham (83.2):
The famous football player David Beckham has an amazing 83.2 million Instagram followers. Beckham, who is well-known for his exceptional abilities on the football pitch and his captivating personality off it, has made a seamless transition from an iconic player to a multidimensional brand. He posts pictures of his glitzy life on Instagram, including family get-togethers, fashion shows, and charitable pursuits.
Beckham is a relatively new user on Instagram, but he already has a large following and engages fans and followers with fashionable posts and endorsements. His forays into esports and other business endeavours only serve to increase his online appeal as he keeps growing in power. Because of his timeless appeal and high post engagements, Beckham is well-liked on the platform by both fashionistas and sports fans.
6. Kylian Mbappe (108):
The young French football sensation, Kylian Mbappe, has gained a lot of attention in the sports world and on Instagram, where as of January 2023, he has 108 million followers. Mbappe is among the best players in the world of football thanks to his remarkable speed, skill, and goal-scoring ability.
His remarkable performance during the FIFA World Cup helped France win, and he gained a tonne of new social media followers as a result, which caused his popularity to soar. Even at the young age of 23, Mbappe is already a worldwide football sensation due to his boundless potential.
By providing fans with a glimpse into his life both on and off the pitch, Kylian Mbappe’s Instagram feed allows them to know the person behind the player. His posts display his youthful energy and enthusiasm, and he frequently thanks his supporters.
One of football’s rising stars, Mbappe’s Instagram feed offers a glimpse into the life of a young player who is not only extraordinarily gifted but also incredibly grateful for his supporters and the opportunities that have come his way. Kylian Mbappe’s Instagram following keeps expanding with every career win and milestone, securing his place as a sports icon for the next generation.
5) Lebron James (154 million followers):
NBA record holder LeBron James is the seventh most popular athlete in the world with 153 million followers. The Los Angeles player recently passed 39-year-old Kareem Abdul-Jabbar’s record of 38,387 points to take the top spot as the NBA’s all-time top scorer. This list of athletes with the most Instagram followers only includes him, the basketball player from the game.
As of January 2023, LeBron James, also known as “King James,” had an impressive 153 million Instagram followers, confirming his status as one of the most prominent athletes both on and off the basketball court. From his early days as a high school sensation to his current status as an NBA legend, LeBron’s popularity soared.
He has become a worldwide sports icon thanks to his dynamic and interesting presence on social media sites like Instagram, which has allowed fans to get to know him personally. Giving fans a peek into the life of a real basketball legend, LeBron’s posts frequently highlight his family, charitable endeavours, and personal reflections on his basketball journey.
LeBron James is well-known for his activism and attempts to advance social justice in addition to his athletic abilities. He has gained respect and admiration from followers all over the world by using his Instagram platform to advocate for change and raise awareness of significant social issues.
LeBron James is one of the most followed athletes on Instagram. His influence goes well beyond the basketball court, and he never stops inspiring people on or off the screen with his talent, leadership, and dedication to improving society.
4) Neymar (208 million followers):
Neymar’s popularity goes beyond just football because he has a vibrant and active Instagram account where he shares details about his personal life, style preferences, and charitable activities. Fans respond favourably to his posts, which strengthens his standing as a cultural figure in addition to a sports icon. Neymar Jr. has a huge following on social media and is expected to be a major player in sports for many years to come thanks to his extraordinary talent.
The Brazilian football sensation Neymar Jr. has amassed an enormous Instagram following of 208 million as of January 2023. His amazing talents and endearing personality have taken the footballing world by storm. When Neymar moved from Brazilian club Santos to Barcelona as a teenager, he made waves in the football world by forming a dangerous trio with Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez.
This collaboration helped him grow his fan base internationally in addition to advancing his career. His fan base grew by almost 40 million more after he joined Paris Saint-Germain (PSG), demonstrating his enormous popularity.
Neymar is one of the most marketable athletes in the world thanks to his actions both on and off the pitch, such as his ostentatious lifestyle and endorsement deals, which also guarantee that he will always be ranked highly among the athletes with the most Instagram followers.
Neymar continues to be the second-most watched South American athlete worldwide, behind teammate Lionel Messi of PSG. One of the greatest football players in the world, Neymar, has made 124 appearances for the Brazil national team and scored 77 goals in total. The 31-year-old still holds the record for the biggest transfer fee in football history to be paid for a player.
In addition to Europe, he has a sizable fan base in South America. Neymar is a fan favourite everywhere he goes and has appeared in a number of shows and films. He is the third most followed athlete globally, with over 200 million followers.
3) Virat Kohli (250 million followers):
Currently, Indian cricket player Virat Kohli leads the team as captain. He is regarded as one of the best batsmen in the world and has won several titles in his career, most notably the 2011 Cricket World Cup.
In addition to being the most followed celebrity in India, Virat Kohli is the most followed person in the cricket world. He receives an incredible sum of money for each brand endorsement on his Instagram account, and advertising and brand endorsements also contribute significantly to his net worth.
The Indian cricket team’s captain, Virat Kohli, has accumulated a sizable 259 million Instagram followers. As one of the greatest batsmen in the world, Kohli has constantly produced outstanding results when playing cricket. In addition to showcasing his cricket career, his Instagram account offers glimpses into his personal life, which includes his marriage to Bollywood actress Anushka Sharma.
The fact that Kohli is so well-liked on social media attests to both his legendary status in Indian sports and his contribution to the growth of cricket in that nation. He has become an inspiration for aspiring cricket players and sports fans in India and abroad thanks to his endorsement deals, rigorous training regimen, and devotion to the game. As was already mentioned, Kohli has a sizable Twitter following, which further solidifies his online clout.
2) Lionel Messi (464 million followers):
Another football legend, Lionel Messi, has an astounding 488 million Instagram followers. Before moving to Paris Saint-Germain in 2021, the Argentine forward played the majority of his career at Barcelona, where he won multiple titles and established himself as the team’s all-time top scorer.
Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo have competed against each other for almost all of the major awards in the game for more than 20 years. On the other hand, he finishes second in the race for Instagram followers.
One of the greatest players of all time, the Argentine football legend cemented his legacy in 1986 when he guided his country to its first-ever World Cup victory. Messi has won a record seven Ballon d’Or awards and is the player with the most goals for a single club at Barcelona, with 672 goals. The 35-year-old plays football for Paris Saint-Germain, the French champions.
1) Cristiano Ronaldo (585 million followers):
Cristiano Ronaldo is the most followed person on Instagram overall, with an incredible 560 million followers worldwide. Ronaldo is currently paid an estimated £177 million a year to play in the Saudi Arabian Super League with Al Nassr.
The 38-year-old is regarded as one of the greatest football players of all time, right up there with Argentina’s Lionel Messi. Ronaldo, who has won the Ballon d’Or five times, the Champions League four times, and the Ballon d’Or once, is the most prolific goalscorer in the history of international football.
In addition to being a force on the pitch, Cristiano Ronaldo is a social media phenomenon and is frequently praised as one of the greatest football players of all time. As of my most recent knowledge update in September 2021, Ronaldo had an astounding 607 million Instagram followers, making him the most followed athlete on the platform.
Ronaldo, a Portuguese native, has achieved great success in his career and has won five Ballon d’Or awards. Fans can get a glimpse into his life through his Instagram account, which highlights his philanthropic activities, lavish lifestyle, and commitment to training. After joining Manchester United in 2021, Ronaldo’s fame grew even more.
His usage of NFTs, or non-fungible tokens, has also increased his wealth and online presence. His charitable involvement off the pitch has elevated him to the status of a global role model for millions of fans.
So, this was the list of the most followed athletes in the world. Also read, Top 5 heartbreaking sad pictures in cricket history
