Top 10 Most Popular Soccer Players In History – Updated 2023

Soccer is the most popular sport in the world with a fan base of more than 4 billion fans across the globe. This is why Star soccer performers gain millions of fans all over the world. With their superb soccer performances, goal-scoring abilities, and dribbling skills they become very popular among the fans. Here is the list of the Top 10 Most Popular Soccer Players in the World in 2023.

[su_note note_color=”#fffb76″ text_color=”#000000″ radius=”8″]List of Most Popular Soccer Players[/su_note]

From Cristiano Ronaldo to Marcelo many Soccer players became popular among fans due to their game winning abilities. They thrilled soccer fans with wonder and awe, in return the football fans started to love them with their hearts. Here is the list of the Top 10 Most Popular Soccer Players in the world in 2023.

#1. Cristiano Ronaldo

Portuguese Soccer Legend Cristiano Ronaldo takes the top spot on our list. He is the most popular soccer player in the world with a total fanbase of more than 400 million fans all over the world. Ronaldo was born on 5 February 1985 in Madeira. He is also known by the nickname of CR7 among his fans. He plays as a forward for Manchester United and also captains Portugal National team.

Cristiano Ronaldo is also considered the best footballer in the world right now. He is also regarded as one of the greatest football players of all time. CR7 has won a total of Ballon d’Or awards, and four European Golden Shoes. Not only this, but he also accounts for a total of 32 trophies so far in his career.

[su_quote style=”flat-blue”]His highest achievements also include 3 Premier League titles, 5 UEFA Champions Leagues, UEFA European Championship 2016, and UEFA Nations League 2018. Apart from this, he has also made over 1,100 professional career appearances for club and country and has scored more than 790 official senior career goals.[/su_quote]

His success in football has also earned him a lot of fans all over the world. With more than 400 million fans all over the world, Cristiano Ronaldo is undoubtedly the most Popular Soccer Player in the world. Therefore, he earns the top spot for this feat on our list.

#2. Lionel Messi

Argentinian Soccer Magician Lionel Messi claims the 2nd spot on our list. He is the second most popular Soccer Player in the world after Ronaldo. Messi currently plays for Paris-Saint Germain and Argentina National Football team. He is also considered the best football player in the world and is often regarded as one of the greatest football players of all time. His fan base reaches more than 300 Million making him the 2nd most popular soccer player in the world.

Leo Messi holds the record for most Ballon d’Or awards (7), and Most European Golden Shoes (6). He has also won 10 La Liga titles, 7 Copa Del Rey titles, 4 UEFA Championship League, and three FIFA Club world cups. Not only this, but Messi also lead Argentina to the FIFA World Cup 2014 finals.

[su_quote style=”flat-blue”]In 2014, Messi was awarded FIFA World Cup Golden Ball. He also received the FIFA World Player of the year award in 2009. His enormous success in football has earned him a lot of fans all over the world.[/su_quote]

Therefore, Lionel Messi is the 2nd most popular footballer in the world with more than 300 million fans all over the world.  Thus, he earns his name on our list for this feat.

#3. Neymar Jr

Brazilian Soccer Sensation Neymar Jr grabs the third spot on our list. He is the third most popular soccer player in the world with a fan base of more than 200 Million all over the world. Neymar currently plays as a forward for Paris Saint-Germain and Brazil National Football team. He is also regarded as one of the best football players in the world.

Neymar was named South American Footballer of the year twice in 2011 and 2012. He also received FIFA Club World Cup Bronze Ball in 2011. At FIFA Confederations Cup 2013, he was awarded a Golden Ball. Apart from it, Neymar also won La Liga Best World Player for the 2014–15 season.

[su_quote style=”flat-blue”]Neymar has won three Campeonato Paulista titles, 2 La Liga titles, 3 Copa Del Rey titles, and FIFA Club World Cup during his career as a Club player. Apart from it, he also led Brazil to the victory in FIFA Confederations Cup 2013. But this is not just it, his efforts at the 2016 Rio de Janeiro summer Olympics also helped Brazil win a Gold Medal.[/su_quote]

Due to his success in Football, Neymar received millions of fans all over the world. Now, he also features on our list of most popular soccer players in the world.

#4. Paulo Dybala

Argentinian Professional Soccer Player Paulo Dybala claims the 4th spot on our list. He is regarded as one of the most popular soccer players in the world with a fan base of more than 150 Million. Dybala plays as a Forward for Juventus and Argentina National Soccer team.

Paulo Dybala began his professional football career with Instituto in 2011. One year later, he joined Palermo in 2012, and finally, he moved to Juventus in 2015. The same year, he also made his debut for the Argentina National Football team.

[su_quote style=”flat-blue”]Paulo Dybala has won one Serie B title, 5 Serie A titles, and 4 Copa Italiana titles in his career. He was declared Serie A most valuable player of the year in 2019. Apart from it, he also remained the top goal scorer in Copa Italia 2016. He currently, holds the record for Copa Italiana’s all-time top goal scorer.[/su_quote]

His enormous success in football earned Paulo Dybala many fans all over the world. Now, he rightfully earns his name on our list of the most popular soccer players in the world in 2023.

#5. Kevin De Bruyne

Belgian Professional Soccer Player Kevin De Bruyne earns the 5th spot on our list. He is one of the most popular Soccer Players in the world with a fan base of 100 Million all over the world. Kevin currently plays as a midfielder for Manchester United and Belgium national Soccer teams. He is regarded as one of the best midfielders in the world.

Kevin De Bruyne started his professional soccer career with Genk in 2008. In 2012, he moved to Chelsea and two years later he joined VFL Wolfburg. The following year, he joined Manchester United to play in the Premier League. Not only this, but he also made his debut for Belgium in International soccer in 2010.

[su_quote style=”flat-blue”]Kevin De Bruyne won the Bundesliga player of the year award in 2012. He became German footballer of the year in 2015. Apart from it, he was also named in FIFA FIFAPro World 11 in 2020.[/su_quote]

Kevin De Bruyne has won 3 Premier League titles, 5 EFL Cups, DFB Pokal 2014, and Belgian Pro League 2010 in his career. Moreover, he also represented Belgium in FIFA World Cup 2018 and led his nation to third place.

Often Described as a complete Footballer, Kevin De Bruyne also earns his place on our list of most popular soccer players in the world in 2023.

#6. Robert Lewandoski

Polish Professional Soccer Payer Robert Lewandoski also puts together our list at the 6th spot. He is among the most popular Soccer Players in the world in 2023. Lewandoski currently plays as a striker for Bayern Munich and Poland National team. He is considered one of the greatest strikers of all times and he is also one of the most successful players in Bundesliga history.

Lewandoski started his professional football career with Delta Warsaw in in 2005. He also played for Legia Warsaw II the same year. The following year he joined Zinc Pruszkow. In 2008, Lewandoski became part of Lech Poznan and he joined Bayern Munich in 2014. Apart from it, he also made his debut for Poland national team in 2008.

[su_quote style=”flat-blue”]Robert Lewandoski won the Ballon d’Or Striker of the year award in 2021. He won the European Golden Shoe in 2020. not only this, he also claimed FIFA Club World Cup Golden Ball in 2020. The same year, he was named in FIFA FIFPro World11.[/su_quote]

So far Lewandoski has won 9 Bundesliga titles, 5 DKB Potal titles, UEFA Super Cup 2020, and FIFA Club World Cup 2020 as a club player. With such stunning achievements in his career, Robert Lewandoski is popular among fans across the world. Therefore, he deserves his name to be on our list.

#7. Erling Haaland

Norwegian Soccer Player Erling Haaland also joins our list at the 7th spot. He is one of the most popular soccer players in the world with a fan base of more than 100 million fans. Haaland plays as a Striker for Borussia Dortmund and the Norway National soccer team. He is considered one of the best strikers in the world.

Erling Haaland won the Austrian Footballer of the year award in 2019. He also received FIFA U-20 World Cup, Golden Boot, in 2019. He was also awarded Golden Boy in 2020. Since his debut, Erling Haaland has won 2 Austrian Bundesliga titles and DKP Portal 2020 for his clubs. Not only this, he also led Norway to the victory in Syrenka Cup 2016.

With such magnificent soccer stats, Erling Haaland has become a fan’s favorite in his short career. No doubt, he earns his place on our list of most Popular Soccer Players in 2023.

#8. Virgil Van Dijk

Dutch Professional Football player Virgil Van Dijk also makes it on our list on the spot. He is the most popular Dutch Soccer Player in 2023.  He plays as a Centre Back for Liverpool and captains Netherland National Football Team. Virgil is considered one of the best defenders in the world and he is famous for his leadership, strength, and aerial capabilities.

Virgil Van Dijk began his professional football career with Groningen in 2011. He then moved to Celtic in 2013. the Netherland football captain was signed by Liverpool for a worthy amount of  £75 million in 2018 that became a world record transfer fee for a defender.

[su_quote style=”flat-blue”]He won the 2019 UEFA Champions League for Liverpool. Not only this, but he also won the FIFA World Cup 2019 for the club as well.[/su_quote]

One of the best defenders in the world, Dijk has a magnificent fan base all over the world. Therefore, he joins our list of most popular Soccer Players in the world in 2023.

#9. Mohamed Salah

Egyptian Soccer Icon Mohamed Salah puts together on our list at the 9th spot. He is the most popular Egyptian Soccer Player in 2023. He plays as a Forward for Liverpool and captains the Egyptian National Football team. Mohamed Salah is considered one of the best players in the world and he is known for his speed, dribbling, and finishing skills.

Mohamed Salah began his professional football career with Al Mokawloon in 2010. Two years later, he moved to Basel and joined Chelsea in 2014. In 2016, he was acquired by Roma for a hefty amount of money. However, he joined Liverpool in 2017 and since then he has been with the English Premier League Club.

[su_quote style=”flat-blue”]Mohamed Salah won the UAFA Golden Boy award in 2012. He received Globe Soccer Best Arab Player of the Year in 2016. Not only this, He won the African Player of the year award in 2017 and 2018. Salah was awarded Premier League Golden Boot two times in 2017, 2018. Moreover, he also won FIFA Club World Cup Golden Ball in 2019.[/su_quote]

Salah was included in the list of the top 100 most influential people in Time 100 2019. Above all, he has a crazy fan base all over the world which makes him one of the most popular soccer players in 2023.

#10. Marcelo

Finally, Brazilian Professional Soccer Player Marcelo Vieira da Silva Júnior makes the last spot on our list. He is the most popular Real Madrid Player in 2023. Marcelo is regarded as one of the greatest left-backs of all time. He currently plays for Real Madrid in La Liga.

Marcelo is also one of the most decorated footballers of all time with a total of 22 trophies to his name. He was named in FIFA FIFPro World XI for a record 6 times. Not only this, but Marcelo also earned his place in the IFFHS World Team of the Decade 2011–2020.

[su_quote style=”flat-blue”]So far, Marcelo has won 6 La Liga titles, 2 Copa Del Rey titles, 4 UEFA Championship Leagues, 3 UEFA Super Cups, and 4 FIFA Club World Cups for Real Madrid. Apart from it, he also led Brazil to victory in FIFA Confederations Cup 2013.[/su_quote]

With such a stunning Soccer record, Marcelo is also among the most popular soccer players in the world due to his grand fan base all over the world.

Frequently Asked Questions

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Who is the most popular footballer ever?

Pele is the most popular footballer ever. He tops Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo to become the greatest Footballer ever in the history of the sport.

Who is the most popular soccer player in 2023?

Cristiano Ronaldo is the most popular soccer player in 2023. He has more than 385 million fans on Instagram, 150 Million fans on Facebook, and 95.8 million fans on Twitter.

Who is the most popular footballer in club football?

Lionel Messi is the most Popular Footballer in Club Football. As of 2023, he has 7 Ballon d’Or awards to his name.

Who is the most popular soccer player on the international circuit?

Lionel Messi is the most popular Soccer Player on the International circuit. The Little magician has won a total of 38 trophies in his career. Therefore, he is loved by every football fan.

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