Sports has always been an image-driven industry. With the explosion of social media platforms, coupled with the constant interaction of online users with their sporting idols and their insatiable desire for more photographic content, it should come as no surprise that leveraging these platforms to reach the massive online community has become one of the top priorities for athletes and their large athletic multinational sponsors. With half of all Instagram users using the site on a daily basis and with more than half of all 18- to 29-year-old Internet-using adults utilizing it, Instagram has grown to become the key indicator of popularity among the under-30 demographic. Which is why many world class athletes in all sports, have focused so much attention on their social media presence. Football (soccer) rules the largely international social media scene. Among the most popular football players on social media are Real Madrid’s forward Cristiano Ronaldo, who won back-to-back FIFA Ballon d’Or awards in 2013 and 2014 and is regarded as one the best footballers; Barcelona forward Lionel Messi, the only four-time Ballon d’Or and three-time European Golden Shoes winner in history; and his teammate Neymar, who football legend Pelé has argued is the best current world player are also huge on Instagram.But who are the most popular in the world, in terms of followers and fans.

source: wearefanatics