Instagram is currently the fastest-growing social network out there, consistently showing a monthly growth rate of 7-8% since the last few year. With its wonderfully designed UI, it has attracted nearly every popular professional footballer active for the last decade or so.
What’s more is that unlike Facebook, Instagram feels much more impersonal to use.This is because of the fact that users operate via nicknames instead of their real names. Thus, footballers post much more pictures on Instagram than on Facebook, which is used mostly by their clubs, sponsors and the media.
The Instagram filters are a great help to players as well, and the overall palatable user experience has spurred players of the stature of Francesco Totti to post on the app during goal celebrations! Much fan-made live match footage finds its way first onto Instagram as well.
We recommend football fans to start following the below-mentioned players on the network if they are not currently doing so. Included in this list are players who have great personalities both on and off the pitch, and are able to express themselves tastefully on Instagram.
#1 Kaka (username: kaka)
Kaka is one of the most good-looking players in world football. Even though he currently plies his trade for MLS side Orlando FC, his looks have won him female admirers all over the globe. He has extremely good-looking children, and despite his split with his ex-wife in 2015, his profile is worth scrolling down to that period to find pictures of a wonderfully in love, dashing couple.
With 9.7 million followers, Kaka’s social media presence is still going strong despite the significant decline in his career, his productivity and his athleticism. Modelling contracts will continue to rain on him after retirement.
#2 Cesc Fabregas (username: cescf4bregas)
Cesc Fabregas’ Instagram bio reads as follows: ‘Proud dad of 2 beautiful baby girls. 29 years old. Central Midfielder for Chelsea FC. Player for the Spanish National Team.’
The former Arsenal and Barcelona star and current Chelsea player has a strong presence on Instagram. His contract with Beats Audio enables him to post videos of their advertising campaigns routinely. Fabregas currently has 7.8 million followers on his official account.
His current girlfriend Danielle Semaan is a 38-year-old Lebanese beauty, and Fabregas routinely posts pictures with her. The Fabregas extended family routinely appears on his account, and we award brownie points to him for posting pictures of the Spanish national team and their WAGs.
His most popular picture is this adorable snap with his elder daughter Lia.
#3 Joey Barton (username: joey7bartonofficial)
Joey Barton’s Instagram bio is quite cryptic, reading as follows: ‘We expected something. Something better than before. We expected something more.’
The precocious English midfielder, who began his career with Manchester City in 2002 before changing clubs on a whim due to personality issues, has a very interesting Instagram account. Despite having 131k followers, which is not favourably comparable to the best footballers in business, he has made a number of posts worthy of attention.
Notably, he is a fan of Red Hot Chilli Peppers frontman Anthony Kiedis. He has quite an extraordinary picture with a golden eagle, as seen in the picture above. In addition, he also makes posts on life quotes, thoughts and even those from charity dinners.
Joey is definitely one of the most interested people plying their trade in football, despite not being able to nail down a starting berth in any club these days!
#4 Cristiano Ronaldo (username: cristiano)
The reigning Ballon d'Or champion has amassed a whopping 85.3 million followers since joining Instagram 5 years ago. His pictures cover a number of his poses with swanky, high-end cars which he parks in one of the most enviable garages in the world. In addition, Ronaldo uses his Instagram handle to interact with many diehard fans in lucky draw contests.
Also featured prominently on his profile is his son Ronaldo Jr, as well as pictures of his enviable shoe collection. Ronaldo’s Instagram handle is a goldmine for endorsers, who make use of his extensive reach (Ronaldo is the most-followed sportsperson on the network).
#5 Neymar Jr. (username: neymarjr)
The Brazilian heartthrob and national team captain has 64 million followers on his Instagram handle. Along with pictures of his best moments on the pitch for the Brazilian national team and FC Barcelona, Neymar uses the network to promote his friends in the entertainment industry – many of them being rising young talents who benefit enormously from having a patron like him.
Neymar’s most popular picture is from Christmas 2016, in which he poses with his lavishly decked Christmas tree – with over 2.2 million likes.
