In this file photo, Al-Nassr players congratulate a teammate after scoring a goal.

JEDDAH, June 12: Saudi Arabia’s Al-Nassr Football Club has been recognized as the most popular Arab football club on social media, ranking 16th globally in terms of total followers, according to a report released by the British newspaper The Sun.

The Riyadh-based club, home to global superstar Cristiano Ronaldo, has amassed 62 million followers across its digital platforms. The presence of the Portuguese icon played a key role in boosting Al-Nassr’s online fan base, which grew by 9% over the past year.

Trailing closely behind in the Arab world is Al-Ahly of Egypt, which came 18th globally with 57.7 million followers, making it the second most followed Arab club.

At the top of the list is Spanish powerhouse Real Madrid, which leads with a staggering 473.7 million followers across platforms. Despite a successful domestic season, arch-rivals FC Barcelona rank second with 427.4 million followers, still significantly behind Los Blancos.

Real Madrid dominates on Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok, while Barcelona leads on YouTube.

Manchester United maintains a strong global presence in third place, with 233.6 million followers, continuing to draw support despite recent on-field struggles.

Notably, Brazilian side Flamengo stands out as the highest-ranked non-European club, coming in 15th with 66.4 million followers.

Top Arab Clubs by Global Social Media Ranking:

Al-Nassr (Saudi Arabia) – 16th globally | 62 million followers

Al-Ahly (Egypt) – 18th globally | 57.7 million followers

The rankings highlight the rapid growth of football's digital reach in the Arab world, fueled by marquee signings and increased international visibility.