Football (soccer) is the most followed sport in the world, and all the major teams have a worldwide fanbase that runs into the millions.
Whereas once support tends to be confined to the area or the country in which they are based, the television age means that now clubs can be supported by fans in every corner of the globe; few, if any, can ever hope to see their heroes in the flesh.
That does not mean they are less enthusiastic or dedicated than the fans who actually attend games.
Many will get up in the middle of the night or early in the morning in their respective time zones to watch games, and they are every bit as engaged on social media as home-based fans.
Note: This list was compiled based on follower count on the three most used social media platforms by these teams.
In 2024, here is the list of most supported football/soccer teams in the world currently:
1. Real Madrid (398M Followers)
Breakdown of Real Madrid supporters and followers across social media;
X (Twitter): 51.9M Followers
Facebook: 125M Followers
Instagram: 169M Followers
Tiktok: 52.1M Followers
Total: 398M Followers.
Real Madrid has the highest number of followers on Instagram, and it is not surprising due to the trendy nature of the platform. Most of the club's posts related to player's lifestyles are posted there.
Real Madrid have a strong presence on social media, and their admins regularly post content from the club.
Real are not only the most successful side in the history of the Champions League, but they also lay claim to being the most supported club in the world.
That is judged not by the number of fans that attend games but by their following on social media.
The Los Blancos have an estimated 125 million people following them on Facebook, 169 million on Instagram, and more than 51.9 million on Twitter.
2. Barcelona (339.6 Followers)
Breakdown of FC Barcelona supporters and followers across social media;
X (Twitter): 49.4M Followers
Facebook: 115M Followers
Instagram: 133M Followers
Tiktok: 42.2M Followers
Total: 339.6 Followers.
When it comes to the soccer team with the most followers, Barcelona is second on the list. The Blaugrana boosts a large following across the top social media platforms.
Perhaps it is not surprising that their closest and most bitter rivals on the pitch are the next closest in terms of the number of fans worldwide.
Barcelona is a global brand and one of the most successful teams in world football. The club has a rich history dating back to the early years of Spanish soccer, winning the biggest trophies.
FC Barcelona has won several domestic trophies, including the La Liga, Copa del Rey, UEFA Champions League, UEFA Super Cup, and FIFA Club World Cup.
These achievements have continued to make the club popular.
Argentina star Lionel Messi played a huge part of his career at the club and thus attracted a considerable number of followers throughout his stay at the club.
3. Manchester United (239.9 followers)
Breakdown of Manchester United supporters and followers across social media
X (Twitter): 49.4M Followers
Facebook: 84M Followers
Instagram: 64.3M Followers
Tiktok: 42.2M
Total: 239.9 Followers.
United have long been the most followed and best supported in English football, and that translates to their worldwide status as well.
They have a global following—84 million of them on Facebook. Instagram accounts for another 64.3 million and Twitter 49.4 million.
Arguably, in the heyday of their success under Sir Alex Ferguson, their global following would have been even higher.
The success of Manchester United is mainly in the Premier League era, as the club remains the most successful in the new era with over twenty titles, thirteen of which were in the newly established competition.
Manchester United have also won a considerable number of FA Cup titles, the EFL League Cup, and Community Shields.
At the international stage, the club has also won the UEFA Champions League, UEFA Super Cup, and FIFA Club World Cup.
4. Paris Saint Germain (182.9 Followers)
Breakdown of Paris Saint-German
supporters and followers across social media
X (Twitter): 15.2M followers
Facebook: 52M Followers
Instagram: 63.2M Followers
Tiktok: 42.5M
Total: 172.9 Followers.
The richest club in the world—at least until Newcastle United acquired Saudi ownership—PSG has a mass following, not only in France but across the world, with their rich array of talent like Kylian Mbappé, Lionel Messi, and Neymar, an immediate attraction for many.
It is estimated that 63.2 million follow them on Instagram, a further 52 million on Facebook, while Twitter supporters amount to around 12 million.
Paris Saint-Germain is one of the biggest teams in French and European football. Although they've not made a significant achievement on the continent, they remain a powerhouse.
Paris Saint-Germain is one of the record winners of the French Ligue 1. The club has also won other domestic trophies, including the French Cup and Super Cup.
PSG also advanced to the finals of the UEFA Champions League but could not win it against Bayern Munich.
Ever since, the club has grown in popularity and has had some big players like Kylian Mbappe, Neymar Jr., and Lionel Messi in their team.
5. Juventus (154.2M Followers)
Breakdown of Juventus FC
supporters and followers across social media;
X (Twitter): 10M Followers
Facebook: 47M Followers
Instagram: 60.4M Followers
Tiktok: 36.8M Followers
Total: 154.2M Followers.
The next team on the block is Italian football giant Juventus FC.
Juventus may be facing problems off the pitch at the moment, but that has done little to dent their popularity worldwide.
The club is the most supported in Italy, and their fan base is also extensive amongst global Italian immigrants.
Their black and white kit has also become iconic, and they have also as many fans on Instagram as they do on Facebook, although their Twitter following is more modest.
Juventus is one of the most successful teams in Italy and European football. The team has won a considerable amount of domestic trophies, including the Serie A, Coppa Italia, and Super Cup.
Juventus also boasts of other international trophies in the UEFA Champions League, Europa League, and Super Cup.
The team is very popular not just in Europe but internationally, especially on the North American continent.
6. Manchester City (152.8M Followers)
Breakdown of Manchester City FC supporters and followers across social media
X (Twitter): 17.9M followers
Facebook: 52M Followers
Instagram: 55M Followers
Tiktok: 27.9M Followers
Total: 152.8M Followers.
The citizens were very much the poor relation to neighbours United for much of their history, until the club was bought in 2008 by the Abu Dhabi investment group headed by Sheikh Mansoor, instantly transforming their fortunes and making them one of the wealthiest in the world.
Hundreds of millions of pounds have been invested in the team, while Pep Guardiola was brought in as manager.
The success they have enjoyed on the field, including six league titles, has brought them a huge global following, although there are a number of English clubs with bigger domestic fan bases.
Nevertheless, nearly 52 million people follow City on Facebook, 55 million on Instagram, and in excess of 17.9 million on Twitter.
Manchester traditionally were not among the biggest teams; however, they are now a global brand.
Man City won the Premier League for a record four consecutive seasons. The Citizens have also won the FA Cup, League Cup, and Community Shields.
Man City have also won the UEFA Champions League, the Super Cup, and the FIFA Club World Cup.
7. Chelsea (141.9M Followers)
Breakdown of Juventus FC
supporters and followers across social media;
X (Twitter): 26M Followers
Facebook: 56M Followers
Instagram: 42.4M Followers
Tiktok: 17.5M Followers
Total: 141.9M Followers.
Chelsea would not have been among the best supported clubs in England, let alone the world, until Roman Abramovich bought the club in 2003.
However, backed by his considerable wealth, the club embarked on almost two decades of continued success, which brought them two Champions League titles, two Europa Leagues, five Premier Leagues, and numerous domestic cups.
Attracted by some of the star names that have played and managed for the club in recent years, they have attracted an enormous global following, with 56 million Facebook followers, 42.4 million on Instagram, and nearly 26 million on Twitter.
Chelsea FC is arguably one of the most popular teams in English football, with fans drawn all over the world, especially regions like Sub-Saharan Africa and Asia.
Chelsea have achieved success on the domestic and intentional levels. The club has won the Premier League, Champions League, Europa League, Club World Cup, and Club World Cup.
8. Liverpool (141.2M Followers)
Breakdown of Liverpool FC
supporters and followers across social media;
X (Twitter): 24.6M followers
Facebook: 49M Followers
Instagram: 46M Followers
Tiktok: 21.6M Followers
Total: 141.2M Followers.
Liverpool are a more established English club in terms of fan base and were the dominant force in the domestic game in the 1980s and 1990s.
Liverpool have twice been touched by major fan disasters—Heyesel and Hillsborough—which means that many people have a soft spot for them.
After a period in the doldrums, the appointment of Jurgen Klopp ushered in a new era of success, and they remain one of the best supported English teams. 49 million follow them on Facebook, 46 million on Instagram, and nearly 24.6 million on Twitter.
Liverpool FC is one of the most successful teams in English football. The club has achieved the status of a global brand following its successes over the years.
The Reds have won one of the most successful teams in the Premier League. The team also boasts major titles, including the FA Cup, League Cup, and Community Shields.
In international football, Liverpool is the most successful English team in the UEFA Champions League with six titles. They have also won the UEFA Europa League, Super Cup, and FIFA Club World Cup.
9. Bayern Munich (131.7M Followers)
Breakdown of Bayern Munich FC
supporters and followers across social media;
X (Twitter): 7M Followers
Facebook: 61M Followers
Instagram: 42.6M Followers
Tiktok: 21.1M Followers
Total: 131.7M Followers
Bayern have long been the dominant force in German football, having won the Bundesliga 32 times, including ten seasons in a row, and the German Cup a record 20 times.
Bayern Munich has also enjoyed European and global success, with six Champions League successes and two Club World Cups in their trophy cabinet.
They are not only the best supported club in Germany but also enjoy a global following. That includes 61 million Facebook supporters, 42.6 million on Instagram, and nearly 7 million on Twitter.
Bayern Munich is one of the biggest soccer teams on the European continent that have achieved the status of a global brand.
Bayern have won numerous trophies, including the Bundesliga, German Cup, UEFA Champions League, Super Cup, and FIFA Club World Cup.
These achievements earned the club a place in the minds of soccer fans across the world.
10. Arsenal (103.9M Followers)
Breakdown of Manchester City FC supporters and followers across social media;
X (Twitter): 22.5M Followers
Facebook: 44M Followers
Instagram: 30M Followers
Tiktok: 7.9M Followers
Total: 103.9M Followers
Arsenal are the only club to have been part of English top-flight football continuously since the end of the First World War.
The dominant team domestically in the 1930s, they enjoyed a new era of success under manager Arsène Wenger, including going through an entire season unbeaten (“the Invincibles”).
A period of decline followed, but, under Mikel Arteta, the club is showing signs of returning to the top of the game.
Their social media following includes 44 million on Facebook, 30 million on Instagram, and more than 22.5 million on Twitter.
Arsenal fans are among the most engaged on social media platforms, especially when they lose, with numerous fan channels offering their more vocal supporters the chance to vent their dissatisfaction with the team.
Arsenal have also achieved a strong reputation globally, with a large fan base in the Americas, Africa, and Europe.
11. Tottenham Hotspur (98.3 Followers)
Breakdown of Tottenham Hotspur supporters and followers across social media;
X (Twitter): 8.8M Followers
Facebook: 35M Followers
Instagram: 17.1M Followers
Tiktok: 37.4M Followers
Total: 98.3M Followers
Next on the list of most supported soccer teams in the world is Tottenham Hotspur.
Spurs remains one of the biggest teams in the English Premier League due to its competitiveness.
Even though the club has yet to lift a trophy recently, they continue to make waves with outstanding performances against some of the biggest teams.
12. AC Milan (70.1M Followers)
Breakdown of AC Milan supporters and followers across social media;
X (Twitter): 8.5M Followers
Facebook: 28M Followers
Instagram: 16.6M Followers
Tiktok: 17M Followers
Total: 70.1M Followers
Italian Serie A club AC Milan makes the list. They are also one of the most successful teams in the world.
Milan has a strong fan base in Europe and North America. The club has won the Serie A, Coppa Italia, UEFA Champions League, and Super Cup.
13. Atletico Madrid (64.9M Followers)
Breakdown of Atletico Madrid supporters and followers across social media;
X (Twitter): 5.5M Followers
Facebook: 19M Followers
Instagram: 17.6M Followers
Tiktok: 22.8M Followers
Total: 64.9M Followers
Atletico Madrid is the next team on my list. The La Liga club has also earned a strong following across the globe.
Atletico Madrid, alongside Real Madrid and FC Barcelona, are the three biggest teams in Spain. The club has won the La Liga, Copa del Rey, Super Cup, Europa League, and Super Cup.
Al Nassr (54.8M Followers)
Breakdown of Inter Miami CF supporters and followers across social media;
X (Twitter): 4.4M Followers
Facebook: 5.8M Followers
Instagram: 27.2M Followers
Tiktok: 17.4M Followers
Total Followers: 54.8M Followers
Al Nassr is a professional soccer team that competes in the Saudi Arabia Pro League. It is one of the biggest teams in the country.
Al Nassr grew in popularity following the arrival of some of the biggest players in Europe, including Cristiano Ronaldo.
Why the followers count differs from one social media platform to the other
Facebook is primarily a messaging platform where users send messages to each other.
However, another unique feature is the news feed, where users can share the latest update on their personal lifestyle.
Facebook leads as one of the leading social media outlets for daily users globally.
Instagram is mainly known for its trendy nature. It is a platform primarily for content related to lifestyle.
Soccer teams regularly post content related to the lifestyle of their players and other updates related to lifestyle.
X
X is one of the largest social media communities globally. It is a hotspot for community-based discussions.
It is primarily a platform for sharing content related to trending events from topics including sports, politics, etc.
Tiktok
TikTok is one of the leading platforms for video content. It serves as a platform to share short video clips. Soccer teams regularly post short clips on events and other related activities.
Wrapping up
Some of the most supported soccer teams in the world include Real Madrid, Bayern Munich, FC Barcelona, Arsenal FC, etc.
This list was compiled based on the list of followers across some of the most popular social media platforms globally, including Instagram, Facebook, X, formerly Twitter, TikTok, etc.