As we leave 2024 and its highs and lows behind us, it’s time to reflect on another year of intense sporting action and the passion it sparked in fans around the world. For sports enthusiasts, Sofascore has become an indispensable tool, offering real-time updates, in-depth statistics, and detailed player and team tracking. The year saw significant shifts in fan behavior, and the app’s role as a hub for sports lovers only grew stronger.
With users following their favorite players, teams, and competitions, Sofascore provided a seamless way to stay connected to the action. In this article, we’ll take a closer look at 2024 revealing the top players, teams, and events that captured the attention of fans. As we wrap up this year, let’s dive into the data that shows how the world engaged with sports and how Sofascore helped keep track of every moment.
Most followed male footballers
In 2024, the competition for the most followed male footballers on Sofascore was fierce, with some of the biggest names in football leading the charge. Cristiano Ronaldo once again claimed the top spot, with over 1 million followers, cementing his status as one of the most followed athletes globally. His move to Al-Nassr didn’t slow down his fanbase; on the contrary, it seems to have continued to fuel his worldwide popularity.
Lionel Messi, who has also made waves in the US with his transfer to Inter Miami, closely followed Ronaldo, with nearly 931,000 followers. Much like Ronaldo’s, the Argentine’s iconic career continues to inspire millions, even when far away from the spotlights of European football.
Kylian Mbappé rose to third place, with 619,367 followers, as his huge move to Real Madrid definitely helped him gain even more attention and following, solidifying his place as one of football’s brightest stars.
Brazil’s two kings, Neymar and Vinícius Júnior, close the top 5. Real Madrid’s superstar is slowly but surely taking over as Brazil’s #! footballer, following the footsteps of Neymar.
The year 2024 demonstrated how football legends continue to captivate the global audience while the young lions are coming through the ranks, with followers closely tracking every update on Sofascore.
Most followed female footballers
While the gap in followers between male and female players remained, 2024 saw an increase in the visibility of women’s football, with some rising stars making waves. Melchie Dumornay, a standout talent from Haiti, topped the list with 26,389 followers, largely thanks to her country’s faithful fans. Her move to Olympique Lyonnais in 2023 brought her into the spotlight, and given that the Sofascore app enjoys the trust of a big number of users from Haiti, it’s no wonder they use the app to follow the brightest star of the country.
She is followed by Barcelona and Spain legend, Alexia Putellas, who’s following also serves as a reflection of her stellar rise and the iconic status she’s built in the modern game.
Alisha Lehmann of Juventus and Lauren James of Chelsea both saw solid followings, illustrating the growing interest in women’s leagues, especially the FA Women’s Super League where they both played in 2024.
Aitana Bonmatí, another FC Barcelona player and the winner of the previous two Ballon d’Ors, secured her place in the top five as she slowly seems to be taking over Alexia Putellas’ throne.
Sofascore’s effort to give the men’s and the women’s game a completely identical treatment is slowly but surely paying dividends, with the users not hesitating to express their growing interest in female football. There’s no doubt that these numbers will grow in the years to come.
Most followed teams
Football teams continued to dominate fan interest in 2024, with traditional powerhouses at the top of the list: Real Madrid remained the most followed team, with an impressive 4.29 million followers. Their dominance in European football and consistent performances makes it no surprise that they solidifed their Number One spot on this list – everyone loves a good success story!
FC Barcelona, with 3.5 million followers, also maintained a large fanbase. Despite facing challenges in both domestic and European competitions through 2024, the numbers El Clásico attracts go through the roof year after year.
Manchester City comes in at third with 2.8 million followers, fueled by their continued success under Pep Guardiola.
Manchester United and Liverpool, two iconic English clubs, followed closely, reflecting the enduring global appeal of the Premier League.
These numbers underline how football continues to capture the global imagination, with Sofascore providing fans with immediate access to their favorite teams’ updates.
Most followed competititons
2024 saw some of the most thrilling football tournaments, and Sofascore users were eager to stay updated: The Premier League was the most followed competition, with fans around the world engaging with every match in one of the toughest football leagues.
The UEFA Champions League, as always, held massive appeal, as Europe’s top clubs battled for the prestigious title. The thrill of the competitions never ceases to amazem so it’s no surprise that it claimed the second spot.
UEFA Euro 2024 dominated the summer months, with the European Championship capturing the attention of millions across the continent.
LaLiga and the FIFA World Cup rounded out the top five, reflecting the global appeal of both domestic and international tournaments.
Sofascore played a central role in helping fans track live updates, match statistics, and player performances across these prestigious competitions.
Most event openings in 2024
Certain events in 2024 stood out, not only in terms of significance but also in fan engagement. Sofascore users were particularly drawn to high-stakes matches: The second leg od the UCL quarterfinals between Manchester City and Real Madrid saw the highest number of event openings, a match that went all the way to penalties and saw Los Blancos book a spot in the semis.
Los Blancos feature in the second most-opened event, too, but it’s not one they’ll cherish for too long – it’s their heavy 0-4 loss at the Santiago Bernabéu against Barcelona in the most recent El Clásico.
The EURO 2024 in Germany was the sporting event of the summer, so it’s no wonder Sofascore’s users tuned in to stay alligned with the action in the exciting quarterfinal clash that saw the hosts Germany eliminated by the eventual winners of the whole tournament Spain in the dying moments of extra-time.
UCL Quarterfinals were a particularly appealing affair at the end of April, as two more matches from that phase close out the Top five – the first leg of the already mentioned City-Madrid matchup, and the second leg between Barça and PSG that saw Kylian Mbappé and Ousmane Dembélé push PSG through to the next round.
These high-profile events highlight the passionate fanbase that Sofascore caters to, allowing users to immerse themselves in every moment of the season.
Conclusion
As we step into 2025, the landscape of sports and fan engagement continues to evolve. The success of Sofascore in 2024 proves that fans are becoming more connected with their favorite players, teams, and competitions, seeking real-time insights and a comprehensive sports experience.
Looking ahead, the 2025 sports calendar promises even more thrilling moments, as it carries some big news asides from the regular domestic and continental excitement. The summer of 2025 will see the inauguration of the new, reformed FIFA Club World Cup featuring the best club sides across six continents. Of course, Sofascore will continue to be at the forefront, helping fans stay on top of every statistic, every goal, and every moment that defines the sports world.
As we head into the new year, it’s clear that the passion for sports is far from fading. Whether you’re following your favorite team or player, Sofascore will be right there with you, making sure you never miss a beat.