The five most powerful African athletes on social media

5- Brahim Diaz – 18.3 million followers
It’s Brahim Diaz who closes the top 5 of this ranking. The star of Real Madrid and Morocco has 18.3 million followers on social media, including 12.6 million on Instagram, 890,000 on Twitter, 2.9 million on Facebook and 2 million on TikTok.

4- Sadio Mané – 24 million subscribers
It is a continental icon that occupies the 4th position in this ranking. Idol of a whole generation, the career and above all the humility of Sadio Mané make him one of the most appreciated players of his generation. African Champion, double Ballon d'Or and winner of the Champions League among others, Mané maintains a community of 24 million followers on social media. The Lion has 17 million on Facebook and 17 million also on Instagram.

3- Riyadh Mahrez – 27 million subscribers
In third place in this ranking, there is another African legend. Riyad Mahrez, African Golden Ball 2016 is followed by a community of 27 million. The magician who won the AFCON (2019) with Algeria and won everything in his club, has 12.5 million followers on Instagram, 4 million on Twitter and 11 million on Facebook.

2- Achraf Hakimi – 33.6 million followers
His trajectory makes people jealous and forces admiration. From Real Madrid to PSG via Inter Milan and Borussia Dortmund, Achraf Hakimi has played for some of the biggest clubs in his career. Defender, his ability to be decisive offensively made him a very popular figure among football fans who follow him massively on social media. The Moroccan has 33.6 million followers through Instagram (23.1), Twitter (1.8), Facebook (5.7) and TikTok (3.4).

1- Mohamed Salah - 103.5 million subscribers
To date, Mohamed Salah is the most followed African athlete on social media according to data collected by Sport News Africa. The Egyptian alone has 103.5 million followers across three digital platforms. But it is on Instagram that Salah has the most admirers with 66 million followers. Twitter follows with, then Facebook closes the march with.

Having played for FC Basel, AS Roma and then Liverpool since 2017, Mo Salah has built a strong online community. And his legend has spread around the world over the years. Best African scorer and passer in the history of the Premier League and best African scorer in the history of the Champions League, the Pharaon proudly sits at the top of this ranking.

As you will have understood, this ranking is dominated by footballers, football being the most popular sport in the world. The other disciplines are still far from attracting as many people on social media. 

Nevertheless, in martial arts, the Nigerian Israel Adesanya is the most followed with 15 million followers (Facebook – 3.9, Twitter – 1.8, Instagram – 8.3 and YouTube – 1.33). He leads Francis Ngannou and his 12.9 million followers (Twitter – 1.1, Instagram - 7.2, Facebook – 2.6, Tiktok – 2). 

In the NBA, Joel Embiid rules the roost among basketball players with his 10 million followers (Twitter: 2.1, Instagram – 7.1, Facebook – 805,000).