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THE WORLD’S TOP 25 SPORTS ATHLETES ON INSTAGRAM IN 2025

The world’s top 25 sports athletes on Instagram in 2025 list. The latest ranking list of the world’s top 25 most famous and popular sports people, players, celebrities and influencers on Instagram with the most followers in 2025.

By Mau, a Sports fan and a Senior Instagram Marketing Specialist at eDigital.

THE WORLD’S TOP 25 SPORTS ATHLETES ON INSTAGRAM IN 2025

Before you discover the world’s most followed sports athletes on Instagram in 2024, let me tell you something you have probably been turning a blind eye to…

Instagram is not helping your business 

• If you are lucky, your posts on Instagram may reach 5% of your followers. This is a massive issue affecting thousands of marketers on Instagram
• You have been trying hard to build an audience on Instagram that you do not even own.
• Yes, that’s right; you cannot transfer your hard-earned Instagram followers to your best CRM software.
• Your customer acquisition costs from Instagram ads are through the roof.

The solution

I can offer you the best digital marketing strategy workshops that will help you:

• Lower customer acquisition costs.
• Minimise dependency on paid media.
• Build a marketing engine with marketing assets and channels you fully own.
• Craft the best digital marketing plan and social media strategy that boosts sales and customer lifetime value.

THE WORLD’S TOP 25 MOST-FOLLOWED SPORTS ATHLETES ON INSTAGRAM IN 2025

25. Conor McGregor 

Conor McGregor is one of the world’s most popular sports athletes on Instagram with 46.7+ million followers.

@thenotoriousmma

Who isn’t familiar with Conor McGregor?

Is Conor a bad guy trying to do good things or is he a good guy who (sometimes) does bad things?

He is notorious by name but more notorious by nature. The Irish-born professional UFC fighter has had a roller coaster life.

The popular MMA fighter has sparked media attention for his verbal assaults, fights in public spaces, warrants for arrest, you name it.

McGregor has collaborated with top brands including Lamborghini boats, Road House movie, the popular Irish pub Mc&Sons in London, Forged Irish Stout drink and The Black Forge Inn bar in Dublin.

Popular this month: Why good people do bad things

24. Luis Suarez

Luis Suarez is one of the most popular sports athletes on Instagram with 48.6+ million followers.

Luis Suarez is a professional Uruguayan football player at Inter Miami after spending many years playing for some of the best teams in Europe, including Atletico de Madrid FC, Barcelona FC and Liverpool FC.

Considered one of the most prolific football stickers of all time, Suarez is also famous for biting opponent players.

Even some of the most popular Uruguayan YouTubers such as Fede Vigevani has mentioned Luis Suarez in some of his most viewed videos.

Sports marketers are using some of the top 25 sports hashtags on TikTok.

23. Toni Kroos

Toni Kroos is one of the world’s most-followed sports athletes on Instagram with 49.1+ million followers.

@toni.kr8s

Toni Kroos is a German professional footballer who plays as a midfielder for La Liga club Real Madrid FC and the Germany national team.

Widely regarded as one of the greatest midfielders of all time, he is known for his vision, passing, creativity, crossing and set-piece ability.

You can also check:

• The world’s top 10 most-followed footballers on Instagram.
• The world’s top 10 most-followed footballers on TikTok.

22. Mahendra Singh Dhoni

Mahendra Singh Dhoni is one of the world’s most popular sports athletes on Instagram with 49.3+ million followers.

@mahi7781

Mahendra Singh Dhoni (MS Dhoni) is an India born professional cricket player.

Passionate, humble and smart, MS Dhoni continues to win the hearts of many cricket fans. Dhoni still is among the front-runners of the Indian cricket team and brings in the rich experience of winning many tournaments.

Learn how to write the best influencer brief when running a marketing campaign with a top sport athlete.

Most shared today: The top 10 American female sports athletes on Instagram

21. Sachin Tendulkar

Sachin Tendulkar is one of the world’s most popular sports athletes on Instagram with 50.4+ million followers.

@sachintendulkar

Sachin Tendulkar is an Indian former international cricketer who captained the Indian national team.

Sports marketers checked out some of the top 10 most-followed American female sports athletes on Instagram.

Next: the top 20 sports athletes on Instagram or the top 100 sports athletes on Instagram

Join 5k+ subscribers receiving the best marketing tips.

START YOUR GLOBAL SPORTS INFLUENCER OUTREACH CAMPAIGN TODAY!

Top marketers working for global sports brands are doing Influencer Marketing outreach with this exclusive “World’s top 200 sports athletes on Instagram“ list.

Each entry includes:

• Full name
• Link to the Instagram account
• Instagram followers count (as of January)
• Main sport category
• Gender (Female, male, lgbtqia+)

Get immediate access to this premium list!

This premium list is being used by professionals working for some of the top global sports brands. A great list for:

• Global Brand Strategists
• Global Marketing Directors
• Sports Account Directors
• Digital Marketers
• Influencer Marketing Strategists
• Social Media Managers for sports brands

Marketers are also checking out:

• The world’s top 10 most-followed footballers on TikTok
• The world’s top 25 most-followed female fitness influencers on Instagram

Next: the top 20 sports athletes on Instagram or the top 100 sports athletes on Instagram

Conclusion

Some of these top 25 most popular sports athletes on Instagram have a large and dedicated fan base as fans often have a strong emotional connection with them.

Partnering with them can significantly increase your brand’s exposure as their followers are likely to pay attention to their endorsements and collaborations and they may be more inclined to make a purchase.

These sports stars are seen as role models and admired for their sports achievements and skills.

By selecting the right sports celebrity that aligns with your target audience, you can effectively reach and connect with your desired customer base.

When working with some of these top 25 sports athletes on Instagram, you should leverage their personal experiences, achievements, and values to tell a captivating narrative that resonates with your target audience.

Authenticity and relevance are vital for a successful collaboration with a sports athlete on Instagram.

You may want to consider the long-term impact of the partnership, as the association with one of the top 25 sports celebrities on Instagram can have lasting effects on your positive brand’s reputation and perception.

Final note: Are you struggling with rising customer acquisition costs and dependency on paid media?

Our exclusive digital marketing strategy workshops will unmercifully review your marketing, show you how to build a marketing engine with channels and assets you own, stir your team’s thinking, bring new ideas for new conversion paths and boost customer lifetime value.

Ready to transform your approach? Contact us now!

Our services include:

• Digital Marketing strategy including social media planning
• Online advertising: Google Ads, social media ads and remarketing
• Social media marketing training
• SEO strategy, SEO content development and execution
• Celebrity and influencer marketing campaign strategy
• Branding: logo design and brand development
• Consumer contests/competitions/giveaways
• Email marketing: dip sequence design and deployment
• Conversion rate optimisation: path to purchase analysis and optimisation

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THE WORLD’S TOP 25 SPORTS ATHLETES ON INSTAGRAM IN 2025

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Considered one of the best marketing consultants in Sydney, Mau offers some of the best digital marketing strategy workshops and best social media training. Mau also loves football, design, music and art. Marketers are using Mau‘s popular Digital Marketing Plan and Social Media Plan templates

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