Cover image (Jude Bellingham) licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 3.0 by CASEYCOLTON
In 2022, we researched the top football clubs on social media. This article switches focus to the stars who are active on social media.
Many football players from both the past and current era are increasingly excelling in this still relatively new field. These sports stars have amassed millions of British and international fans. and they are using their online voices in various diverse ways. While many choose to promote products or advertise the likes of Caswino Casino, the following high profile individuals use their status to promote a range of organisations:
Bukayo Saka
Opening this list is Arsenal’s very own Bukayo Saka who enjoys a following of 2.6 million people on Facebook and 7.4 million on Instagram. This football prodigy goes beyond sharing his career and personal highlights with loyal fans. Saka supports a series of charities, including the BigShoe medical initiative that finances operations for Nigerian children.
A rising star of the UK’s football scene, Saka also shares his views against racism and hate speech, urging platforms to curb their spread. To achieve this, Bukayo has partnered with Fiverr and other companies to promote diversity, equality and inclusion in the region. He also takes the time to communicate with fans and share snippets of his personal life.
David Beckham
Not surprisingly for one of the most prominent players in the world, Sir David Beckham has a massive following on Instagram (approximately 88.1 million) and Facebook (around 57 million). Beckham uses his influence to promote organisations such as Malaria No More, The King’s Foundation and UNICEF.
The international star also supports global campaigns centred around protecting the environment and supporting health and children’s rights. The British legend further promotes football through personal content, some of it created in collaboration with brands like Adidas that have a close connection to the sport.
Harry Kane
Bayern Munich and England striker Harry Kane uses social media to promote the Harry Kane Foundation. This institution, founded in 2022, focuses on changing the attitude of the younger generation towards mental health issues and helping those in need. Kane also advertises brand partnerships with the likes of Allianz and others via these channels.
Of course, a large portion of his content is related to his professional career. Unlike others, he posts on Instagram and TikTok not to promote platforms like Caswino, but to tell millions of fans about upcoming matches, public appearances, training sessions and other events. The prolific forward also shares personal moments from his family life and hobbies.
Jude Bellingham
Now in his third season at Real Madrid, Jude Bellingham has a strong presence on both X and Instagram. This rising star mainly uses the platforms to provide fans with updates on his training routine, recent victories and upcoming matches. His Instagram also promotes the YouTube series Out of the Floodlights, offering a behind-the-scenes look at his football career to his 898,000 subscribers.
Of course, the star doesn’t forget to mention his partnerships with various brands, such as Adidas and Louis Vuitton. Fans can also hear Bellingham praising their loyalty and catch glimpses of his family life. In his X profile, the footballer publishes honest and raw opinions about particularly disappointing moments and defeats.
Marcus Rashford
While not enjoying the same following as David Beckham, Barcelona’s recent signing also uses his platforms to make a difference. Rashford posts on X and Instagram to highlight the importance of addressing child hunger in the UK. Thanks to his efforts, the government provided free school meals during the COVID-19 pandemic.
On his social media pages, the athlete advertises the Marcus Rashford Book Club, an organisation that encourages young people to read more. Rashford also shines a light on other issues, such as homelessness, healthy eating and racism. Lastly, Marcus uses X and Instagram to talk to his fans about the many facets of being a professional athlete.
Phil Foden
The last name in this list, Manchester City’s Phil Foden, doesn’t use social media just to show off his technical skills. This midfield maestro demonstrates his involvement with the Fun Football Foundation, which teaches kids how to play the sport for free. Just as the other names here, he also communicates with fans and thanks them for their support, packing his Instagram feed full of updates about both his personal and professional life, including his previous games and victories. He currently has an audience of 12.3 million followers.
Promoting products, or sites like Caswino Casino, which are used for online betting, is common in football and other sports. But icons like Foden are showing what other uses they can put their huge platforms to.
How footballers use social media to promote change
While the effectiveness of their messages are hotly debated, one thing’s for sure: football players use social media to speak out for social change in the country and beyond, and teaching a new generation about the exciting world of football. They don’t view themselves merely as athletes, but as individuals who can help steer the future in the right direction.
The material suggests information provided by a gambling expert — Ivan Pervoy.