The 10 Most Popular Footballers in the World (2024) Ranked

Football is the most universally popular sport, attracting more television viewers worldwide than any other sport. With the sport's immense global scrutiny, it's no surprise that some of its greatest players have become some of the most famous individuals in the world.

Today, football's elite players often earn more from brand deals and sponsorships than from their substantial weekly wages. As their brand grows, so does their fame.

David Beckham was arguably the first footballer whose fame transcended his athletic career, remaining in the limelight more than a decade after retiring. Beckham's global superstar status can be attributed to various factors, including his appealing looks and his performances for England, which helped him tick almost every box.

Ranking Factors

This list examines the ten most famous and well-known footballers currently playing. Factors considered in this ranking include:

• Players' marketability
• Players' ability
• Career achievements

10. Jude Bellingham

Real Madrid and England

Despite being just 20 years old as of May 2024, Jude Bellingham is undeniably one of the most sought-after talents in football at the moment. It's highly likely that he'll ascend even higher on this list in the coming years. The attacking midfielder made waves at the tender age of 16 with his boyhood club, Birmingham City, who retired his No. 22 shirt after he secured a £25 million move to Borussia Dortmund in July 2020.

Shortly after his move to Germany, Bellingham made his senior debut for England, showcasing his exceptional talent. He was arguably the standout player for the Three Lions at the 2022 World Cup, impressively achieving this feat at just 19 years old. His outstanding performances caught the attention of Real Madrid, who secured his services in a nine-figure deal in the summer of 2023. Bellingham has thrived in his debut season in Spain and has also become the new face of Adidas Predator, significantly enhancing his brand exposure.

9. Luis Suarez

Inter Miami and Uruguay

While Luis Suarez's reputation has undoubtedly suffered in recent years, there's no denying that he remains one of the most talked-about footballers of the 21st century, albeit not always for the right reasons. Despite boasting an illustrious career with well over 500 senior goals, it's Suarez's controversies that often overshadow his achievements.

Suarez's misconduct at two consecutive World Cups stands out prominently. Firstly, he infamously denied Ghana a chance to reach the semi-finals in 2010 by deliberately handling the ball on the goal line. Then, at the subsequent tournament, he shocked the world by biting Italy's Giorgio Chiellini, marking the third time he'd bitten a fellow player on the football pitch. Additionally, Suarez faced accusations of racism from Manchester United's Patrice Evra in 2011. Consequently, while he may not be the most liked footballer of all time, Suarez certainly ranks among the most notorious.

8. Erling Haaland

Manchester City and Norway

It's quite remarkable that, as of May 2024, Erling Haaland is still only 23 years old, considering his impressive scoring prowess. The Norwegian forward burst onto the scene at the age of 19 with Red Bull Salzburg, garnering attention for his remarkable goal-scoring feats. He was quickly recruited by Borussia Dortmund, where he continued to excel, particularly in the Champions League.

In the summer of 2022, Haaland made a high-profile move to Premier League champions Manchester City. In his debut season, he played a pivotal role in securing the club's first-ever treble, netting an astounding 52 goals in 53 matches and setting a new Premier League record for the most goals in a single season. Haaland is widely regarded as one of the best strikers in the world at present, boasting an impressive tally of 270 goals in 325 senior appearances. Additionally, he serves as one of the prominent faces of Nike.

7. Harry Kane

Bayern Munich and England

For a considerable stretch, Harry Kane stood as one of the prominent figures in the Premier League, consistently vying for the Golden Boot during his tenure at Tottenham Hotspur. However, he departed for Bayern Munich in the summer of 2023 after nine prolific years in the English top flight, where he notched an impressive tally of 213 goals, ranking second only to Alan Shearer in the all-time top goalscorers list of the competition.

Yet, it's Kane's contributions to the England national team that truly solidify his status as a household name in global football. He holds the distinction of being the Three Lions' all-time leading goalscorer, having surpassed Wayne Rooney in March 2023. Kane has captained his country since 2018, delivering crucial goals at two World Cups and one Euros, thereby etching his name in the annals of English football history.

6. Heung-min Son

Tottenham Hotspur and South Korea

For an extended period, Harry Kane formed a formidable attacking partnership at Tottenham alongside Heung-min Son, who has garnered widespread acclaim in East Asia for his stellar performances in the Premier League. Son made his mark in European football after moving from his native South Korea in 2010, featuring for clubs like Hamburg and Bayer Leverkusen in Germany before making the switch to the Premier League with Spurs in 2015.

As of May 2024, Son has amassed an impressive tally of 120 goals in 303 Premier League appearances. He made history by becoming the first-ever Asian player to clinch the Golden Boot in the 2021/22 season. Son is a national icon in South Korea, having captained his country since 2019 and earned over 125 caps for the national team. His contributions to football were further recognized when he was awarded the Cheongnyong Medal, the highest order of merit for achievement in sports, in 2022.

5. Mohamed Salah

Liverpool and Egypt

While Son enjoys reverence in South Korea and across East Asia, Mohamed Salah is truly revered in Egypt and throughout the entire African continent. The forward is widely hailed as the greatest African footballer of all time, and his mesmerizing displays as part of Jurgen Klopp's formidable Liverpool side have catapulted him to global stardom.

After facing setbacks early in his career at Chelsea, Salah returned to the Premier League with Liverpool in 2017 and immediately left an indelible mark, clinching the Golden Boot in his debut season with a staggering 32 goals, a league record at the time. Since then, he has amassed an impressive tally of 211 goals in well over 300 appearances for the Reds and played a pivotal role in their triumphs in both the Premier League and the Champions League.

4. Kylian Mbappe

PSG and France

Kylian Mbappe, at the age of 25, may already be considered the best footballer on the planet, having achieved remarkable success in his career thus far. The Frenchman burst onto the scene at Monaco at just 16 years old, playing a pivotal role in their league triumph in 2017, before securing a lucrative move to PSG.

As of May 2024, Mbappe has amassed an impressive tally of 255 goals in 306 matches for PSG. Additionally, he has made a significant impact on the international stage, scoring a total of five goals in World Cup finals across two tournaments. In 2018, he netted twice to help France secure a 4-2 victory over Croatia, while in 2022, he became only the second player to score a hat-trick in the final, although his side ultimately lost to Argentina on penalties.

Furthermore, Mbappe boasts a lucrative endorsement deal with Nike and was ranked as the third highest-paid athlete by Forbes in 2023. His achievements both on and off the pitch solidify his status as one of the most prominent figures in world football.

3. Neymar

Al Hilal and Brazil

Despite facing challenges in recent years, Neymar remains undoubtedly one of the most famous football players of the 21st century. His journey to stardom began when he was voted South American Footballer of the Year in 2011 while still playing for Santos. He then enjoyed four immensely successful years at Barcelona before making headlines as the world's most expensive footballer with his £200 million transfer to PSG in 2017.

Neymar's influence extends beyond the club level, as he was appointed captain of the Brazil national football team in 2014. He further solidified his status as a football icon by becoming Brazil's all-time leading goalscorer in September 2023. Although injuries have hindered his quest to be recognized as the best footballer on the planet, Neymar's remarkable talent and reputation for flair and skill have made him an exceptionally marketable figure throughout his career.

2. Lionel Messi

Inter Miami and Argentina

Lionel Messi is widely regarded as possibly the greatest footballer to have ever lived, and his exceptional talent showcased over almost two decades ensures that his legacy in football will endure for generations to come. Spending 16 illustrious years at his beloved Barcelona, Messi amassed every possible accolade and shattered numerous goalscoring records. Following a brief stint with PSG, he embarked on a new chapter by joining David Beckham's Inter Miami, emerging as arguably the biggest sporting star in the United States.

In December 2022, Messi fulfilled his long-awaited dream by leading Argentina to their third-ever World Cup triumph. He not only clinched the Best Player award but also netted seven goals during the tournament, further solidifying his status as a footballing icon. His Instagram post following the final became the most-liked photo in the platform's history, garnering 75 million likes. Messi has consistently ranked as one of the highest-paid athletes globally, serving as the face of Adidas since 2006. In 2020, he achieved another milestone by becoming only the second footballer ever to surpass $1 billion in earnings.

1. Cristiano Ronaldo

Al-Nassr and Portugal

Cristiano Ronaldo is widely regarded as the greatest goalscorer in football history and quite possibly the most marketable athlete ever to grace the sports world. With over two decades of professional experience, Ronaldo has amassed an impressive record, making over 1,200 senior appearances and scoring a remarkable 890 goals for clubs such as Sporting Lisbon, Manchester United, Real Madrid, Juventus, and Al-Nassr, as well as the Portuguese national team.

Ronaldo's influence extends beyond the football pitch, as he holds the title of the most followed person on Facebook and Instagram, and is also the most-followed athlete on X/Twitter. Throughout his career, he has amassed earnings exceeding $1 billion. The CR7 brand, derived from Ronaldo's initials and shirt number, has been associated with various ventures, including a museum and even a galaxy. Additionally, after Ronaldo inspired Portugal to victory at Euro 2016, the international airport in his hometown of Madeira was renamed the Cristiano Ronaldo International Airport in his honor.