10 Most Followed Sports People On Twitter
There are billions of sports fans around the world and as 328 million of us actively use Twitter every month, there is a huge opportunity for fans to get closer to their favourite athletes.
At PledgeSports, we work with athletes to raise money, but also raise their online profile and make them more attractive to sponsors and endorsements. However, the list of 10 athletes below is on a whole other level to every other athlete when it comes to social media presence.Here’s a countdown of the 10 Most Followed Sports People On Twitter, according to Fan Page List…
10. Wayne Rooney – 14.5 million
The Manchester United captain had a meteoric rise as a youngster and it seems his Twitter following was on a similar trend. Now 31, the Liverpool native hasn’t had his finest season but at least being the Premier League’s most followed player is a feather he can add to his cap.
9. Gerard Pique – 14.6 million
Pique’s fame comes in two parts – firstly, for being an exceptional, title-winning centre-half for Barcelona and Spain, and secondly for being married to Colombian beauty Shakira. We’re convinced that at least half of Pique’s followers are there for his wife, but it means he ranks among the 10 most followed sports people on Twitter!
8. Ronaldinho – 14.7 million
A two-time Ballon D’Or winner, Ronaldinho is still ranked among the world’s finest when it comes to drawing a crowd.
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The Brazilian legend’s Twitter following has made him a prime target for promoting brands, including his own “Sex Free” condom range… Moving swiftly on.
7. Kevin Durant – 15.6 million
Golden State Warriors star Kevin Durant is a top-scoring and renowned American professional basketball player, who is notoriously popular among fans around the world.
Heavily involved in philanthropy, writing, photography and even acting, Durant often tops the NBA for shirt sales and his popularity is reflected in his Twitter following.
6. Sachin Tendulkar – 15.9 million
Former Indian cricketer and captain Tendulkar is an idol for millions among cricketing circles and is heralded as one of the greatest batsmen to grace the game. The 44-year-old’s Twitter following is a testament to his insane popularity and the mark he has left on cricket.
5. Andres Iniesta – 16 million
Another loved footballer to have adorned the game, Iniesta has been at the top of the sport for a decade, building an impressive Twitter following along the way.
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A legendary midfield maestro, Iniesta famously scored the winning goal for Spain back in the 2010 FIFA World Cup final vs. the Netherlands.
4. Kaka – 26.8 million
One true winner of the followers’ hearts across the world, Kaka stands to be a unanimous inclusion to the list of the 10 most followed sports people on Twitter.
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His finest season came in 2007 when Kaká became Serie A’s top scorer and led AC Milan to Champions League and Club World Cup titles. Subsequently, he was named European Footballer of the Year and FIFA World Player of the Year.
3. Neymar Jr. – 28.8 million
Neymar Jr. burst onto the scene through social media, where football fans around the world watched YouTube videos of the young Santos maestro majestically carving his way through a host of Campeonato Brasileiro Série A teams. Nowadays, he makes up one-third of the world’s most formidable attacking partnerships alongside Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez at Barcelona.
2. LeBron James – 35.1 million
A true superstar with an enormous fan following over the world, LeBron James’ place on this list was never in doubt. James was only a senior in high school when he became eligible for the NBA draft and was promptly chosen by the Cleveland Cavaliers. In 2010 he moved to Miami Heat, before returning to his native Cleveland in 2014 and leading his hometown colours to the NBA Championships in 2016.
1. Cristiano Ronaldo – 52.1 million
Cristiano Ronaldo is used to breaking goal records for Real Madrid, but his recent statistic is pretty impressive too.
Hookit, the website that tracks athletes on social media, report that Ronaldo has reached over 200 million followers across Facebook, Twitter and Instagram—the first ever professional athlete to do so.
Ronaldo enjoys more followers across the three social media platforms than the combined totals of NBA stars LeBron James, Stephen Curry and KJobe Bryant, showing the Portuguese’s massive appeal worldwide.
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