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Only one Super Eagles star made the list of top 10 most followed footballers at AFCON 2023.
As the African Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2023 draws near, football enthusiasts around the globe eagerly await the clash of titans in arguably the biggest sporting showpiece on the continent.
Beyond the excitement on the field, the off-pitch presence of footballers on social media has become increasingly significant.
In this article, Pulse Sports reveals the top 10 most-followed footballers who are gearing up for AFCON 2023, each with a massive fan following that extends far beyond the confines of the pitch.
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AFCON 2O23: Top 10 Most followed footballers starring in Ivory Coast
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As AFCON 2023 beckons, these top 10 most-followed footballers bring not only their skill and experience to the tournament but also a massive global fanbase.
The list is dominated by stars from Senegal and Morocco, with just one Nigerian footballer making the cut in the realm of social media butterflies.
1. Mohamed Salah, Egypt - 98 million followers
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Age: 31 years old (as of January 2024)
Category: Most followed African footballers/Richest African footballers/Highest Paid African footballers
Instagram: 63.3M followers | X: 18.7M | Facebook: 16M followers | TikTok: None
Leading the pack is Liverpool's Egyptian King, Mohamed Salah.
With a remarkable 98 million total followership across major social media platforms, Salah's influence extends well beyond the football field.
Known for his goal-scoring prowess, Salah's popularity is a testament to his skill and charismatic personality.
He is the most-followed African footballer on Instagram and X.
Salah finished 2023 as the highest-paid African footballer and will be looking to make a statement this month in Ivory Coast to further underscore his status as one of the greatest African footballers of all time.
As of 2024, he is the most followed African footballer in the world, and the most followed African footballer at AFCON 2023.
2. Sadio Mané, Senegal - 34 million followers
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Age: 31 years old (as of January 2024)
Category: Most followed African footballers/Richest African footballers/Highest Paid African footballers
Instagram: 16.4M followers | X: 495.8K followers | Facebook: 17M followers | TikTok: None
Senegal's star forward and captain Sadio Mané, boasts an impressive 34 million total followership across major platforms on social media.
He currently boasts the most followers on Facebook, more than any other active African footballer.
The Al Nassr winger's electrifying pace and goal-scoring ability have since made him a fan favorite both on and off the field.
The former CAF Player of the Year will be looking to help the Teranga Lions successfully defend their title in Ivory Coast.
As of 2024, Sadio Mane is one of the most followed African footballers in the world, and the second most followed African footballer at AFCON 2023.
3. Achraf Hakimi, Morocco - 28.4 million followers
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Age: 25 years old (as of January 2024)
Category: Most followed African footballers/Highest Paid African footballers
Instagram: 19.9M followers | X: 1.8M followers | Facebook: 6M followers | TikTok: 744K followers
Achraf Hakimi, the Moroccan speedster and Paris Saint Germain star, stands tall among the most followed African footballers at AFCON 2023.
With his explosive performances on the field and a social media following reflective of his global appeal, Hakimi brings a charismatic flair that extends beyond the pitch.
As fans anticipate his dynamic contributions for the Atlas Lions, Hakimi's influence on and off the pitch is set to leave an indelible mark on this edition of the African Cup of Nations.
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4. Riyad Mahrez, Algeria - 27 million followers
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Age: 32 years old (as of January 2024)
Category: Most followed African footballers/Highest Paid African footballers
Instagram: 12.5M followers | X: 4.1M followers | Facebook: 12M followers | TikTok: None
Al Ahli's Algerian maestro, Riyad Mahrez, commands a substantial following of 28 million on social media, making him one of the most followed African footballers in 2024.
Renowned for his flair and skill on the wing, Mahrez's social media presence adds another layer to his widespread popularity.
The former African Player of the Year is in the final years of his career with the national team and will be hoping to get his hands on another AFCON trophy.
Mahrez is the fourth most-followed African footballer at AFCON 2023.
5. Hakim Ziyech, Morocco - 16.4 million followers
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Age: 30 years old (as of January 2024)
Category: Most followed African footballers
Instagram: 11M followers | X: None | Facebook: 5.4M followers | TikTok: None
Galatasaray's Moroccan playmaker Hakim Ziyech, has amassed a huge following having made some strategic moves in his club career.
Currently on loan from Chelsea, Ziyech's technical brilliance and creativity have endeared him to fans worldwide, reflected in his substantial social media presence.
He is one of the most followed African footballers at AFCON 2023.
6. Yassine Bounou, Morocco - 6.7 million followers
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Age: 32 years old (as of January 2024)
Category: Most followed African footballers
Instagram: 6.4M followers | X: 69.1K followers | Facebook: 302K followers | TikTok: None
Moroccan goalkeeper Yassine Bounou has earned his place among the most-followed African footballers at AFCON 2023.
With a commanding presence between the posts and a remarkable 6.7 million total followership on social media, Bounou's popularity extends beyond his crucial saves, making him a social media sensation as the Al Hilal shot stopper aims to lead Morocco to glory.
7. Edouard Mendy, Senegal - 5.9 million followers
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Age: 31 years old (as of January 2024)
Category: Most followed African footballers/Highest-Paid African footballers
Instagram: 2.5M followers | X: 121K followers | Facebook: 3.3M followers | TikTok: None
Senegal’s formidable goalkeeper Edouard Mendy, stands tall not only between the goalposts but also on social media, boasting a significant following.
As one of the most-followed African footballers at AFCON 2023, Mendy's popularity reflects his decent performances and growing influence beyond the football pitch, making him a key figure to watch in the tournament.
With his commanding presence on and off the field, the Al Ahli goalkeeper will be looking to help his nation successfully defend their title in Ivory Coast.
8. Kalidou Koulibaly, Senegal - 5.4 million followers
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Age: 32 years old (as of January 2024)
Category: Most followed African footballers/Highest-Paid African footballers
Instagram: 2.8M followers | X: 962.3K followers | Facebook: 1.6M followers | TikTok: None
Kalidou Koulibaly, the defensive stalwart from Senegal, stands tall not only on the pitch but also on social media, boasting a substantial following.
With his commanding presence in the heart of the defense, Koulibaly’s popularity extends beyond his defensive prowess, making him one of the most-followed African footballers at AFCON 2023.
Currently plying his trade for Al Hilal, Senegal's rock-solid defender is set to leave it all, both on the field and in the hearts of his vast online fanbase.
9. Sofyan Amrabat, Morocco - 5.4 million followers
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Age: 27 years old (as of January 2024)
Category: Most followed African footballers
Instagram: 4.9M followers | X: None | Facebook: 372K followers | TikTok: None
Sofyan Amrabat, the dynamic Moroccan midfielder, emerges as one of the most-followed African footballers at AFCON 2023.
The Manchester United midfielder loves to captivate fans with his precise passing and relentless work ethic.
As Morocco's midfield maestro, Amrabat's online presence places him among the most followed African footballers on Instagram.
10. Victor Osimhen, Nigeria - 4.4 million followers
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Age: 25 years old (as of January 2024)
Category: Most followed African footballers/Highest-Paid African footballers
Instagram: 3.3M followers | X: 956.3K followers | Facebook: 142K followers | TikTok: None
Napoli's prolific striker, Victor Osimhen, stands tall among the most-followed African footballers heading into AFCON 2023, boasting a substantial social media following.
With his lethal goal-scoring ability and charismatic presence online, Osimhen is set to capture the hearts of fans both on and off the pitch.
As Nigeria's offensive spearhead, his journey in the tournament has been predicted to be of his best yet even before kick off.
Osimhen enters 2024 as the highest-paid Nigerian footballer and one of the most influential African footballers globally.
METHODOLOGY
The Pulse Sports ranking of the world’s most followed footballers represents the combined total of followers across major social media platforms. The figures are derived through publicly available databases from Facebook, Instagram, X, and TikTok.
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