Instagram is one of the most influential social media platforms – and the movers and shakers in the world know this. The more Instagram followers there are, the more powerful the brand. Here are the Top 10 sportsmen in terms of the size of their Instagram fan base:
10. Zlatan Ibrahimović - 36,25 million followers
The Swedish striker has a history of stirring things up. Although he is now a bit of loose cannon after announcing his departure from LA Galaxy - on Instagram no less - there ae whispers about a return to the English Premier League. Will he link up with Jose Mourinho again? And will his millions of Instagram followers be the first to know?
9. Marcelo - 36,46 million
Real Madrid’s 31-year-old right back may be getting to the end of his career but he has still got plenty of charm and brand awareness as his regular Instagram posts featuring chief sponsor Adidas attest. The feisty Brazilian has spent most of his career at the Bernabeau so you can anticipate lots of references to life with Los Blancos.
8. Gareth Bale - 38,95 million
The good-looking winger for Real Madrid may be a football wizard but in his heart he’s a professional golfer. The guy regularly posts about golf but it is his references to sponsors like EA Sports, Adidas, Lucozade and BT Sport that bring in the daily bread. The Welshman is reportedly paid $185k per sponsored Instagram post!
7. James Rodriguez - 41,07 million
The attacking midfielder for Bayern Munich may have spent most of the year side-lined with a knee injury but that has given him plenty of time to work on his Instagram status. In between posting the personal stuff the Colombian focusses on paying partners like Libertex and Adidas.
6. Ronaldinho - 43,23 million
The buff looking Brazilian may no longer play pro football but he’s busier than ever with sponsorship deals. Along with getting plenty of exposure for the likes of Wakka Beer, Teqball, Scuf Gaming and Betcris, Ronaldinho likes to share little anecdotes about his former clubs.
5. LeBron James - 47,91 million
The obscenely wealthy power forward for the LA Lakers prefers to put the spotlight on the sponsors who bankroll his lifestyle like Nike, Beat Electronics, Coca-Cola and Audemars Piquet. James is the only non-footballer to hit the top 10 Instagram stats.
4. David Beckham - 54,89 million
David Beckham is one of the most recognised brands on the planet. He also loves to post snatches of his business and private lives on Instagram. Now he’s focussing on unveiling his own soccer team to the world – the one and only Inter Miami.
3. Lionel Messi - 112,11 million
Messi is one of the greatest footballers ever. He is also an all-round nice guy. The Barca magician may have over 100 million followers but he doesn’t post as frequently as all the others… and seldom if ever about his personal life.
2. Neymar - 112,71 million
The Brazilian forward for Paris Saint Germain has the second largest following of all. Unlike Messi he likes to show the world who he is a man rather than a footballer. The guy only occasionally gives his sponsors a bit space, preferring to post more personal stuff.
1. Cristiano Ronaldo - 158,91 million
Ronaldo keeps his legions of fans more than happy with an average of around one post per day. He is the king of Instagram in the sports category… and the third most followed figure overall. I bet he’d swop a share of his fans for a 6
th Ballon D’Or!
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