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As excitement builds for the Euro 2024 championships in Germany, football fans are eagerly anticipating not only the on-field action but also the off-field engagement of players and fans on social media platforms. Seat Compare, alongside data collected from Euro 2024 National team listings and Instagram, has compiled a comprehensive dataset showcasing the Instagram follower counts of every potential Euro 2024 player. This data sheds light on the immense influence and global reach that football stars wield beyond the pitch.
Cristiano Ronaldo Reigns Supreme
Unsurprisingly, Cristiano Ronaldo tops the charts as the most popular player on Instagram among Euro 2024 participants, boasting an astonishing 629 million followers. His status as a global icon transcends borders, with his extraordinary talent and sportsmanship resonating across millions of followers on Instagram. Ronaldo’s digital presence not only reflects his unmatched prowess on the field but also his universal appeal of his persona.
Source: Seat Compare, Sponsorlytix, Instagram
Global Icon Kylian Mbappé
Kylian Mbappé, the electrifying forward from France and Paris Saint-Germain (soon to join Real Madrid this summer), commands a staggering 113 million followers on Instagram, solidifying his status as one of the most influential footballers globally. Known for his blistering pace, technical brilliance, and clinical finishing on the field, Mbappé’s magnetic charisma extends beyond his athletic prowess. At just 25 years old, he has already achieved remarkable success, including winning domestic titles and the FIFA World Cup with France in 2018.
Rise of Jude Bellingham
One of the most captivating narratives emerging from the Instagram data is the meteoric rise of Jude Bellingham, the highest-ranked English player on the list at #6 with 30.8 million followers. Bellingham’s exponential growth in followers, amassing over 20 million since joining Real Madrid less than a year ago, shows his sky rocketing popularity and impact in the football world. His trajectory exemplifies how social media platforms can amplify the reach and influence of rising talents.
Most Popular Players on Instagram Playing at Euro 2024
Rank | Name | Nationality | Club | Followers (M) | |
1 | Cristiano Ronaldo | Portugal | Al-Nassr | @cristiano | 629M |
2 | Kylian Mbappé | France | PSG | @k.mbappe | 113M |
3 | Toni Kroos | Germany | Real Madrid | @toni.kr8s | 45.4M |
4 | Robert Lewandowski | Poland | Barcelona | @_rl9 | 35.5M |
5 | Luka Modric | Croatia | Real Madrid | @lukamodric10 | 35.2M |
6 | Jude Bellingham | England | Real Madrid | @judebellingham | 30.8M |
7 | Kevin De Bruyne | Belgium | Manchester City | @kevindebruyne | 26.3M |
8 | Álvaro Morata | Spain | Atlético de Madrid | @alvaromorata | 22.2M |
9 | Pepe | Portugal | Porto | @official_pepe | 17.7M |
10 | Marcus Rashford | England | Manchester United | @marcusrashford | 16.9M |
11 | Harry Kane | England | Bayern Munich | @harrykane | 16.9M |
12 | Memphis Depay | Netherlands | Atlético de Madrid | @memphisdepay | 16.9M |
13 | Marc-André ter Stegen | Germany | Barcelona | @mterstegen1 | 16.6M |
14 | Virgil van Dijk | Netherlands | Liverpool | @virgilvandijk | 15.6M |
15 | Ousmane Dembélé | France | PSG | @o.dembele7 | 14.9M |
16 | Thomas Müller | Germany | Bayern Munich | @esmuellert | 14.4M |
17 | João Félix | Portugal | Barcelona | @joaofelix79 | 12.3M |
18 | Eduardo Camavinga | France | Real Madrid | @camavinga | 11.9M |
19 | Phil Foden | England | Manchester City | @philfoden | 11.3M |
20 | Daniel Carvajal | Spain | Real Madrid | @dani.carvajal.2 | 10.5M |
Source: Seat Compare, Sponsorlytix, Instagram
England’s Strong Instagram Presence
England emerges as a notable force on Instagram, with four players securing spots in the top 20 most influential Euro 2024 players. Jude Bellingham leads the English contingent, followed by Marcus Rashford (17.1 million followers), Harry Kane (16.9 million followers), and Phil Foden (11.3 million followers). This collective presence shows the strong engagement and following that English footballers command on social media platforms, reflecting the nation’s fervent passion for the sport.
Real Madrid Dominance and Global Reach
Real Madrid asserts its dominance on Instagram, with five players featured in the top 20 rankings. Alongside Jude Bellingham’s impressive standing, Real Madrid’s roster includes seasoned players such as Toni Kroos (45.4 million followers), Luka Modric (35.2 million followers), and Eduardo Camavinga (11.9 million followers). This representation just further solidifies Real Madrid’s global appeal and the significant impact of its players in engaging audiences worldwide.
Source: Seat Compare, Sponsorlytix, Instagram
Diversity of Nationalities and Clubs
The dataset showcases a diverse mix of nationalities and clubs among the most popular Euro 2024 players on Instagram. From Cristiano Ronaldo representing Portugal to Kylian Mbappé for France, and Toni Kroos for Germany, the rankings highlight the international appeal of football stars across various nations. Clubs like Real Madrid, FC Barcelona, and Manchester City also feature prominently, reflecting the widespread following enjoyed by players from top-tier football clubs.
Most Popular Players For Each Country Playing at Euro 2024
Name | Nationality | Followers (M) | |
Armando Broja | Albania | @armando.broja | 586K |
Marcel Sabitzer | Austria | @marcel7sabitzer | 976K |
Kevin De Bruyne | Belgium | @kevindebruyne | 26.3M |
Luka Modric | Croatia | @lukamodric10 | 35.2M |
Patrik Schick | Czech Republic | @p_schicky | 412K |
Christian Eriksen | Denmark | @chriseriksen8 | 5.1M |
Jude Bellingham | England | @judebellingham | 30.8M |
Kylian Mbappé | France | @k.mbappe | 113M |
Khvicha Kvaratskhelia | Georgia | @kvara7 | 3.5M |
Toni Kroos | Germany | @toni.kr8s | 45.4M |
Dominik Szoboszlai | Hungary | @szoboszlaidominik | 2.4M |
Gianluigi Donnarumma | Italy | @donnarumma | 5.1M |
Memphis Depay | Netherlands | @memphisdepay | 16.9M |
Robert Lewandowski | Poland | @_rl9 | 35.5M |
Cristiano Ronaldo | Portugal | @cristiano | 629M |
Olimpiu Moruțan | Romania | @morutan.olimpiu | 386K |
Andrew Robertson | Scotland | @andyrobertson94 | 4.4M |
Luka Jović | Serbia | @lukajovic | 2.3M |
Stanislav Lobotka | Slovakia | @stanleylobotka37 | 289K |
Jan Oblak | Slovenia | @oblakjan | 1.6M |
Álvaro Morata | Spain | @alvaromorata | 22.2M |
Granit Xhaka | Switzerland | @granitxhaka | 3.2M |
Arda Güler | Turkey | @ardaguler | 7.9M |
Andriy Lunin | Ukraine | @lunin_andrey | 2.9M |
Source: Seat Compare, Sponsorlytix, Instagram
Social Media as a Catalyst for Player Branding
The Instagram follower counts not only provides insights into individual player popularity but also the evolving landscape of athlete branding in the digital age. Footballers leverage social media platforms not only to connect with fans but also to build personal brands, engage in philanthropy, and extend their influence beyond the traditional boundaries of the sport.
As the countdown to Euro 2024 intensifies, the intersection of football and social media continues to redefine how fans engage with the sport and its stars. The Instagram data offers a fascinating glimpse into the digital footprint of Euro 2024 players, showcasing the immense reach and influence they wield across global audiences. From Cristiano Ronaldo’s unparalleled dominance to the rapid ascent of emerging talents like Jude Bellingham, the Instagram rankings highlight the dynamic and evolving nature of football’s digital landscape.