Ranking the Top 7 Clubs With Most Social Media Followers Across Major Platforms

Social media has emerged as the most rapidly expanding channel for fan backing in contemporary times.

Over the past few years, football clubs have witnessed a surge in popularity on various social media platforms, which now serve as their primary means of advertising and promotion.

Sports Brief presents you with the top seven football clubs boasting the highest number of followers across Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, Twitter, and TikTok.

7. Liverpool (Premier League) – 131 million

Historically, Liverpool has clinched numerous domestic and prestigious trophies, experiencing a resurgence of its glory days under the guidance of German coach Jurgen Klopp.

In 2019, the club secured both the UEFA Super Cup and the UEFA Champions League title. Although their Premier League triumph in 2020 was muted by the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, Liverpool continues to thrive.

Looking ahead, they aim for a sixth UEFA Champions League victory, having already claimed the UEFA Cup three times and the UEFA Super Cup four times. The addition of star players like Salah, Mane, and Alisson has significantly bolstered their fan base over the years.

6. Chelsea (Premier League) – 134 million

Hailing from London, this club is among those that achieved success following a change in ownership. Since Roman Abramovich took the reins, Chelsea has amassed a total of 19 trophies, including two UEFA Champions League titles, two Premier League championships, and five FA Cup victories.

In the 2020–21 season, Chelsea added to their accolades by clinching the UEFA Champions League, UEFA Europa League, UEFA Cup Winner's Cup, and the UEFA Super Cup. This remarkable feat has not only positioned them as one of the most successful teams in recent memory but also endeared them to fans across the football community. Chelsea is renowned for nurturing top-tier talents in football, with players like Eden Hazard, Kai Havertz, Didier Drogba, and Petr Čech finding their home at the club.

5. Juventus (Serie A) – 144 million

Commonly referred to as "The Old Lady," the club boasts the record for the most consecutive Serie A titles in history, a streak that concluded in 2020 with Inter Milan securing the Serie A championship.

In preceding seasons, Juventus clinched the Italian Cup four times consecutively, contributing to their overall tally of 36 Italian Cup victories, a figure that stands twice as high as that of the second-most successful team.

The addition of Cristiano Ronaldo in 2018 significantly elevated Juventus' global appeal, capturing the attention of numerous international fans.

Despite recent challenges such as financial issues and struggles in both domestic and European competitions, the fanbase of Juventus has seen a substantial surge in recent years.

4. PSG (Ligue 1) – 187 million

Following the acquisition by Saudi-based owners, PSG, a prominent French professional club, has emerged as a haven for star players like Ibrahimovic, Cavani, Neymar, Messi, and Mbappe.

Neymar's arrival at PSG in 2017, in a deal valued at €222 million after departing Barcelona, catapulted the club into the spotlight for its financial prowess. In the same year, they secured the services of Kylian Mbappe, a teenage sensation fresh from winning the Ligue 1 title with AS Monaco.

While the primary catalyst for their social media prominence is Lionel Messi, whose surprising move to PSG in 2021 from Barcelona drew widespread attention, it proved to be a less than optimal decision for both parties involved. Messi has recently signed with Inter Miami, leading to a decline in PSG's follower count across various platforms.

3. Manchester United (Premier League) – 206 million

The Red Devils stand among the most renowned football clubs globally. Despite Manchester United securing their first trophy in the past five years, there has been a slight dent in their global standing. Nevertheless, their steadfast fanbase persists across all seven continents.

As one of England's two most successful clubs, alongside Liverpool, and with Sir Alex Ferguson guiding them through their illustrious years, Manchester United remains a cherished choice for fans yearning for their past glory. The club has nurtured world-class talent from its academy, most notably the Class of '93, featuring luminaries such as Beckham, the Neville brothers, Paul Scholes, and Ryan Giggs.

Old Trafford, their iconic stadium, is widely recognized, and the team's red kit enjoys significant popularity in the football community. Manchester United holds the third position among the most-followed football teams on social media.

2. Barcelona (LaLiga) – 342 million

Introducing the first of the two arch-Spanish rivals on the list: Barcelona, currently the second-most followed team across all sports on social media. Barca continue to witness an expanding fanbase. Throughout Barcelona's rich history, it has been associated with iconic figures like Johan Cruyff, Ronaldinho, Figo, Pep Guardiola, Xavi, and Iniesta.

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A notable highlight is the emergence of the world's best forward from the La Masia academy, who not only secured all possible trophies with the club but also became the record holder for the most Ballon d'Or wins in history.

This forward was a key part of a trio, once hailed as one of the most formidable, alongside Neymar and Suarez.

Together, they propelled Barcelona to secure the second-highest number of major trophies, including the Champions League, Copa Del Rey, La Liga, Club World Cup, and UEFA Super Cup, following closely behind Real Madrid.

1. Real Madrid (LaLiga) – 362 million

When examining the statistics of league and European triumphs, one can convincingly argue that Real Madrid stands as the world's most successful football club. Over the course of their history, Real Madrid has secured an impressive 14 Champions League titles.

The club's extraordinary success not only explains its vast fanbase, but also underscores the fact that La Galacticos has been home to some of the biggest names in football history, including Di Stefano, Zidane, Ronaldo, Beckham, and Kaka.

Cristiano Ronaldo, alongside Benzema and Gareth Bale, achieved the unprecedented feat of winning three consecutive Champions League titles, marking the first-ever three-peat in the competition's history.

This combination of historical success, iconic players, and groundbreaking achievements has resulted in Real Madrid amassing the highest number of social media followers globally. The club was honoured with the FIFA Club of the 20th Century award, securing an impressive 42.35 percent of the votes.