Show summary Hide summary
In 2025, being a great footballer is no longer enough. You also have to be a star on Instagram, TikTok and other platforms. And for that, having the right smartphone becomes almost as important as good crampons.
Cristiano Ronaldo, absolute king of networks
Table of Contents
With 654 million subscribers on Instagram, Cristiano Ronaldo is not only the most followed footballer in the world, he is downright the most popular personality on the planet, all categories combined. In front of him? Person. Behind ? Messi with 505 million followers and Neymar with 229 million.
These figures are dizzying, but they reflect a reality: footballers have become real influencers. Each CR7 publication generates millions of likes, attracts the biggest brands and brings in fortunes in advertising contracts.
Mbappé, the new connected generation
Kylian Mbappé perfectly embodies this new era of football where image counts as much as performance. With more than 120 million subscribers, the captain of the Blues controls his image to perfection. Instagram stories after matches, sponsored posts with the biggest brands, he knows exactly how to speak to the younger generations.
To readChronicles and issues around the 2026 World Cup
« Mbappé understood that social networks are not just a communication tool, it is a real business », Recently explained a sports marketing expert. And the business is juicy: according to estimates, a sponsored post from Kylian can bring in between $500,000 and $1 million.
The essential equipment
To manage such an online presence, professional footballers need efficient tools. Gone are the days when a simple basic phone was enough. Today, football stars are snapping up the latest high-end models, capable of filming in 4K, taking professional photos and managing multiple accounts simultaneously.
The iPhone 17, released last September, has become the smartphone of choice in the locker rooms of Ligue 1 and major European championships. Its three 48-megapixel sensors allow you to produce content worthy of true professional productions, directly from your pocket.
« We film our warm-ups, behind the scenes of matches, trips with the team… The smartphone never leaves us », Recently confided a PSG player who preferred to remain anonymous. “ The quality must be there, otherwise it doesn’t look professional ».
Maximum protection required
But who says high-end smartphone also says risks. In locker rooms, on training grounds, while traveling, players’ phones are exposed to all dangers. Shocks, falls, scratches… A damaged smartphone means the impossibility of posting for several days, a loss of visibility and potentially sponsorship contracts that fall through the cracks.
To read2024 Champions League Final: 5 highlights to absolutely relive
This is why most pros don’t take any risks. “ My iPhone is my number 2 work tool after my crampons », explained a French international in a recent interview. “ I paid more than 1,400 euros for it, no question of stupidly breaking it ».
Result: the iPhone 17 case ultra-resistant has become an essential accessory in every locker room. Some players even change them regularly to match their outfits or the mood of the moment.
« I have a transparent one for the days when I want to show off my iPhone, a simple black one for matches, and even one in my club colors », laughs a Ligue 1 winger on his networks. The post received more than 200,000 likes.
PSG at the forefront of digital strategy
Unsurprisingly, Paris Saint-Germain is the most followed French club on social networks, with a global community which has been built in particular thanks to the passage of Messi, Neymar and Mbappé. Even if these stars have left the club (or are leaving), the digital legacy remains colossal.
The Parisian club has understood the importance of this online presence and supports its players in their communication strategy. Social media training, access to professional photo and video equipment, personal branding advice… Everything is put in place to maximize digital impact.
OM and networks: a complicated story
In Marseille, it’s a different story. As the recent controversies surrounding Roberto De Zerbi show, Marseille supporters do not hesitate to express their dissatisfaction on social networks. After the defeat in Lille, hostile messages towards the Italian coach multiplied.
To readThe secrets of football streamers: bypassing geo-blocks to follow your club everywhere
« We’ve been trying to appreciate De Zerbi’s football for a year and a half, I’m throwing in the towel », We could read under a post from the coach. These reactions show the extent to which social networks have become an ultra-sensitive barometer of supporters’ opinions.
For players, it’s a constant balance to find: communicate enough to maintain their image, but not too much to avoid exposing themselves to permanent criticism. “ Sometimes it’s better to turn off your phone after a loss “, recently confessed a Marseille defender.
French clubs lagging behind?
If we compare with the European giants, French clubs still have a way to go. Real Madrid dominates with 474 million cumulative followers across all platforms, ahead of Barça and Manchester United. PSG comes in 4th position in the world, but OM, Lyon and Monaco are far behind.
This digital presence has a direct impact on revenue. The more a club is followed, the more sponsors it attracts, the more jerseys it sells internationally, the more advantageous TV contracts it can negotiate. Social networks have become a real economic issue.
The future? Even more content
The trend is clear: footballers will have to produce more and more content. TikTok is exploding among young people, Instagram remains essential, YouTube allows you to create longer formats… Each platform has its codes, its audiences, its opportunities.
« In 5 years, all gamers will have their own YouTube channel with exclusive content », predicts an analyst specializing in sports marketing. “ Those who cannot adapt will lose visibility and therefore revenue. ».
To readThe best NBA teams
To manage all of this, you need efficient and reliable tools. The smartphone has become the extension of the modern footballer, his mobile studio which allows him to stay connected with his millions of fans 24 hours a day. And in this area as on the field, only the best equipment allows you to perform at the highest level.
