A study conducted by SillySeason has enabled us to analyze which football players are most popular when it comes to shirt sales for the 2014/15 season.
Apart from Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, who’re no doubt vying for top spot, here are 8 other stars who are most popular when it comes to shirt sales.
Read on to see who leads the way – and which Arsenal star makes the top three…
10. Shinji Kagawa
The Japanese midfielder did well with the Red Devils, but he never got recognised for his efforts. In 2012, the 26-year-old switched back from Manchester United to Borussia Dortmund, where he is now idolized.
9. Fernando Torres
Last summer the Spanish striker moved back to Atletico Madrid from his disastrous outing with Premier league winners, Chelsea.
However, since his return to Spain, El Niño has rediscovered his form making him a favorite among the Rojiblancos fans.
8. Sergio Aguero
This Argentine striker is one of the world’s best strikers right now. No wonder, every devoted Manchester City fan have his name on the back of their shirt.
7. Neymar
Neymar signed for Barcelona in the summer of 2013, and his first season was not what he had expected. The media heavily criticized him, but the Brazilian was quick to respond. Neymar had a terrific 2014/15 season; his partnership with Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez was deadly and prolific. The trio scored a combined 122 goals, and now, Neymar is up in the popularity charts, and the number of fans wearing his shirt is growing larger every day.
6. Zlatan Ibrahimovic
This Swedish striker has established a brand for himself. Zlatan Ibrahimovic is arguably one of the best strikers in the game. No wonder, Jerseys bearing his name are present everywhere in Paris.
5. Wayne Rooney
Wayne Rooney joined Manchester United back in 2004, and he has become an idol at Old Trafford ever since. Although, his form this season has been questioned, the Red Devils fans are happy to have Rooney on the back of their jerseys.
4. Robin Van Persie
Despite moving to the Turkish Super League during the summer transfer window, Robin Van Persie is still one of the most popular players. When he moved to Fenerbahce last summer, fans gave him a warm welcome. Van Persie’s no 11 shirt is the most sold one among Fenerbahce supporters.
3. Mesut Ozil
Ozil is arguably one of the finest and most creative midfielders in the game. Believe it or not, the German international is a loved figure at the Emirates, and the Gunners supporters are happy to have his name on the back of their jerseys.
2. Lionel Messi
This might surprise many, but Lionel Messi lost the battle for the highest selling football shirts to his closest rival. Can you guess to whom? The Argentine talisman could have clinched the first spot were it not for Barcelona’s duo of Neymar and Suarez. Messi’s name can be found virtually anywhere in the world, even in poverty-stricken countries and countries afflicted by wars. The Argentine has a huge fan base that is difficult to dispute.
1. Cristiano Ronaldo
No surprises here. Cristiano Ronaldo is among the most popular sports personalities in the world, and you can find his name on the back of many fans shirts across the world. The Portuguese star is a real goal machine, one of the most completed players in the game. CR7 is definitely having the time of his life.