Twitter isn’t the optimal way to measure the number of fans teams have across the globe. Not everyone uses the internet as their way of getting news about their most popular clubs. While it sounds reasonable that Barcelona and Real Madrid are the most followed, Manchester United don’t have an official account, and Lionel Messi doesn’t have a twitter account as well.

Clubs

1. FC Barcelona, Spain, 7.9 million.

2. Real Madrid, Spain, 6.6 million.

3. Arsenal FC, England, 2.1 million.

4. Galatasaray SK, Turkey, 2.1 million.

5. Chelsea FC, England, 1.8 million.

6. Fenerbahce, Turkey, 1.6 million.

7. Liverpool FC, England, 1.4 million.

8. Corinthians Paulista, Brazil, 1.2 million.

9. Flamengo, Brazil, 0.9 million.

10. Chivas, Mexico, 0.8 million.

Players

A popularity contest, but not entirely. Beyond Cristiano Ronaldo, obviously one of the two biggest football stars in the world, in some countries following on twitter isn’t as popular as it is in others. Also, the ability of a player doesn’t always have to come into play. Rio Ferdinand is a bit far from being one of the best centre backs in the world, but he’s an interesting player to follow. So is Joey Barton with nearly 2 million, although outside the top 10.

Oh, and the Real Madrid – Barcelona thing? Real Madrid lose in this one as well, with only two players in the top 10, although they both have more followers than the Barca players combined.

1. Cristiano Ronaldo, Real Madrid, 15.6 million.

2. Kaka, Real Madrid, 14.1 million.

3. Neymar, Santos, 5.9 million.

4. Wayne Rooney, Manchester United, 5.6 million.

5. Ronaldinho, Atletico Mineiro, 5.2 million.

6. Andres Iniesta, FC Barcelona, 5.2 million.

7. Gerard Pique, FC Barcelona, 5.1 million.

8. Cesc Fabregas, FC Barcelona, 4.7 million.

9. Carles Puyol, FC Barcelona, 4.2 million.

10. Rio Ferdinand, Manchester United, 3.8 million.