Top 10 most followed African Footballers on Social Media in 2025

Amid the growing use and adoption of social media, attention is drawn to African footballers’ following across major social media platforms. While the performance on the field of play always receives the loudest attention, the player’s fan base growth is a direct reflection of their growing momentum.

Aside from the excitement on the pitch, the off-pitch performance of players is also a significant metric.

This article lists the top 10 most followed African footballers on social media, with each a massive revelation of their growing influence across these platforms.

Top 10 most followed African footballers 

Using the current status of each footballer (as of July 2025) on four major social media platforms: X (formerly Twitter), Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok, the metrics look into each player’s global fan base.

1. Mohammed Salah (Egypt), 105.8 million followers

X: 19.3M
Instagram: 65.6M
Facebook: 17M
TikTok: 3.9M

Leading the pack is the Egyptian and Liverpool forward, Mohammed Salah, with 105.8 million followers. Often tagged as the Egyptian King, Salah is widely regarded as one of the world’s best players, attributed to his clinical finishing, dribbling, speed, and playmaking abilities.

Also, his social media popularity is attributed to being referenced as Egypt’s national pride.

For his achievements, he was named in Time magazine’s list of the 100 Most Influential People in 2019. He’s currently the most followed African footballer across major social media platforms. 

2. Sadio Mane (Senegal), 34 million followers 

X: 566K
Instagram: 16.3M
Facebook: 17M
TikTok: 179.7K

Coming closest to Salah is Senegal’s Sadio Mane with 34 million followers on platforms in review.  His impressive pace and goal-scoring ability, coupled with his benevolence to his country, have made him the fans’ favourite on and off the field.

As of 2024, Al-Nassr’s forward and one-time CAF African footballer of the year was the most followed African player on Facebook with 17 million followers before being matched by Mohammed Salah in 2025. 

Also Read: Should Professional Footballers Hire Social Media Handlers to Protect Them?

3. Achraf Hakimi (Morocco), 30.9 million followers 

X: 1.8M
Instagram: 20.9M
Facebook: 5.8M
TikTok: 1.4M

The Moroccan and Paris Saint-Germain’s (PSG) right-back is the third-most-followed African player on social media. Achraf Hakimi rose to popularity during the 2022 World Cup, helping Morocco to a 4th place finish. 

Known for his pace and attacking ability, Hakimi is regarded as one of the best and most sought-after right-backs in the world.

His popularity is also attributed to his significant role in PSG and being named in the CAFAwards 2024 Top five men’s shortlist.

4. Riyad Mahrez (Algeria), 28.8 million followers 

X: 4.1M
Instagram: 12.3M
Facebook: 11M
TikTok: 1.4M

Mahrez is regarded as one of the best African players of all time. While his footballing career is gradually hitting its last years, the 2016 African footballer of the year currently boasts 28.8 million followers across major social media platforms. 

The Al-Ahli right winger is famous for his flair and skill on the flank, and his social media presence adds another height to his widespread popularity.

5. Hakim Ziyech (Morocco), 15.8 million followers 

X: None
Instagram: 10.6m
Facebook: 5.2m
TikTok: None

Ziyech is another Moroccan footballer in the list of the most followed African players on social media. His technical brilliance and creativity marketed him to fans, as reflected in his social media presence.

Although the Qatar-based Al-Duhail forward has no presence on X and TikTok, he’s currently the fourth most followed African footballer, having played for major European football clubs.

6. Yassine Bounou (Morocco), 11.8 million followers

X: 57.1K
Instagram: 6.6M
Facebook: 5.2M
TikTok: None

With 11.8 million followers, he leads the pack for goalkeepers and earned his place in the top ten.

7. Victor Osimhen (Nigeria), 7.7 million followers

X: 1.5M
Instagram: 6.1M
Facebook: 175K
TikTok: None 

As the only Nigerian on the list, the Galatasaray prolific forward gains his position with 7.7 million social media followers. 

Osimhen is one of the most influential African footballers, and his goal-scoring prowess has gathered him fans in the last two years. The 2023 CAF African player of the year’s recent fine form for his club and country also uplifted his social media followers.

Also Read: Nigerian football, the tech ecosystem, and missed opportunities.

8. Edouard Mendy (Senegal), 5.74 million followers

X: 139.1K
Instagram: 2.4M
Facebook: 3.2M
TikTok: None

The Senegalese goalkeeper’s impressive performance at the goalpost secured him millions of followers. Edouard Mendy is popular for his commanding presence in his defence. The prowess, together with his performance for Senegal, has won him a place as one of the most followed African footballers.

His influence on social media makes him the second Senegalese on the list. Edouard Mendy is the eighth most followed African player on Social Media.

9. Andre Onana (Cameroon), 5.7 million followers

X: 368K
Instagram: 2.2M
Facebook: 940k
TikTok: 2.2M

Andre Onana is the ninth player and third goalkeeper on the list of most followed African footballers on major social media platforms, following closely behind Edouard Mendy.

Onana is known for his distribution skills, out-of-the-box build-up play, his confidence on the ball, and range of passing.

The Cameroonian and Manchester United goalkeeper’s club switch among top European teams grew his fan base and earned him a place as the third-most-followed African shot-stopper on social media.

10. Sofyan Amrabat (Morocco) 5.5 million followers

X: None
Instagram: 5.2M
Facebook: 359K
TikTok: None

The loved midfielder is the fourth Moroccan on the list. His precise passing and relentless work ethic endeared him to football-loving fans across social media, making him one of the most followed Africans on Instagram.

His time at Manchester United, coupled with his commanding display in midfield during the 2022 FIFA World Cup, is also attributed to his social media popularity and influence off the pitch.

Note:

Overall, Morocco had the highest representation, with 4, followed by Senegal, which had 2, with Egypt, Algeria, Nigeria, and Cameroon each having 1.

The data reveals that players’ social media presence on Instagram is significant, as 70% of them accumulated most followers on the Meta-owned platform. Data also shows that 50% of the footballers don’t belong to ByteDance’s TikTok, and more adoption is anticipated considering its growing influence.