Football is a global game enjoyed by billions of people around the world. Clubs' support base has also expanded beyond borders, with top clubs boasting large numbers of fans across the world.
Some of the European super clubs have a huge following in Africa, even more so than in their home countries. This is mainly due to the fact that most Africans prefer to support the top European clubs rather than their local teams, which are woefully underfunded and therefore do not have the necessary equipment and infrastructure up to standards.
The presence of satellite television, the Internet and social media has made it easier for Africans to follow major European leagues, competitions and clubs as they offer more excitement, enthusiasm, involvement and fun.
From this article, HOME FOOTBALL BLOG brings you the 10 most supported clubs in Africa.
1. CHELSEA
Chelsea became a force to be reckoned with in football when they were bought by Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich in 2004. Their rise coincided with the popularity of satellite television in Africa. The Blues have also recruited African football legends such as Didier Drogba, Michael Essien, John Obi Mikel and Solomon Kalou. These games, along with their success on the field, have won millions of fans across Africa.
Their fan base has continued to grow since then, with Chelsea and Manchester United having the largest number of fans in Africa. According to a BBC report, the biggest fans of the Chelsea football club are West Africans.
2. UNITED MANCHESTER
Manchester United is the most supported European football club in Africa, alongside Chelsea. The Red Devils have won 20 league titles, 3 UEFA Champions Leagues and numerous other trophies. They played an expansive and entertaining brand of football in the Sir Alex Ferguson era and boasted global stars like David Beckham, Cristiano Ronaldo, Rooney, etc.
All this has earned them millions of die-hard fans across Africa.
3. BARCELONA
The quality of Barcelona's players and their style of football make Barcelona one of the most supported clubs in the world and across Africa.
Players like Ronaldinho, Samuel Eto'o, Lionel Messi, Andrés Iniesta, Xavi and others made Africans fall in love with the Blaugranas. African stars such as Eto'o, Seidou Keita and Yaya Touré played for Barça.
Furthermore, Pep Guardiola's great Barcelona team from 2008 to 2012 (one of the best in football history) won the hearts of millions of people with their tiki-taka style of play.
Despite Barça's recent struggles and Lionel Messi's departure, the Spanish giants still have millions of fans in Africa.
4. ARSENAL
Arsenal's Invincibles team of the early 2000s and their style of football gained a large following in Africa. The club also signed top African players such as Nwankwo Kanu, Lauren, Kolo Toure, Emmanuel Adebayor, Alexander Song and Aubameyang.
Arsenal's decline after the era Invincible and his tendency to always get frustrated has had no impact on his huge fan base in Africa. Therefore, Arsenal fans are considered the most loyal and consistent.
5. LIVERPOOL
Liverpool's success in recent years may lead some to think that their fans in Africa followed them overnight, but the opposite is true. In fact, Liverpool is one of the clubs with the oldest fans in Africa. It turns out that the Reds' decline and lack of success around a decade ago caused their fans to become quieter and more reserved. His success in recent seasons has made his fans more and more vocal.
The presence of Mohamed Salah, Sadio Mane and Naby Keita has also significantly increased Liverpool's fan base across Africa.
6. REAL MADRID
Real Madrid is the most successful club in the history of the Champions League and arguably the most successful in the history of football. Their success has earned them millions of fans around the world.
O Galacticos The 2000s era was led by current president Florentino Perez and the club's prestige gained fans in Africa, especially in North Africa.
Stars like Cristiano Ronaldo, Kaká, Ronaldo de Lima and Zinedine Zidane attracted millions of Africans to Real Madrid.
7. AC MILAN
Milan's success in the 90s and 2000s and the presence of Kaká et al. earned them many fans in Africa. The Rossoneri's decline and the rise of other clubs have seen them lose millions of African fans, but their recent rise and the presence of Zlatan Ibrahimovic and African stars such as Frank Kessie and Bennacer are winning them fans in Africa.
8. CITY OF MANCHESTER
Since the Abu Dhabi royal family took over Man City, the club's fortunes have changed. They became the dominant team in England and one of the best European clubs in the world.
Their success and star-studded team, along with the arrival of Pep Guardiola and his wonderful brand of football, attract many African fans to the club. They have a large number of supporters in Africa.
Although City do not have as large a following as their rivals, their fan base is gradually growing.
9. JUVENTUS
Juventus' dominance in Serie A, their rise to the top of European football and their squad featuring players like Gianluigi Buffon and Andrea Pirlo brought Juventus to the attention of African fans, but it was the signing of Cristiano Ronaldo that brought them victory. . Africa. The Portuguese striker is a brand of his own and has fans who follow him everywhere. But with Ronaldo's recent departure, Juventus will find it difficult to retain their African fans.
10.PSG
PSG's owners in Qatar have never been afraid to spend big and sign the best players in the world. The club has in its squad the most expensive player in the history of football, Neymar. The presence of other stars such as Messi, Kylian Mbappe, Sergio Ramos, Angel di Maria etc. made Africans follow the club. The Paris-based club is gradually becoming one of the football clubs with the most fans in Africa. And the club's fan base in Africa is expected to grow in the future.
Like Ronaldo, only Messi has millions of fans who follow him.
Do you think Cristiano Ronaldo's departure from Juventus will have an impact on the club's fans?
And as a Lionel Messi fan, do you still support Barcelona?
Use the comment box below to share your thoughts with us.
