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Since it's inception back in 2014, the Indian Super League has managed to attract some of the greatest ever players to have graced the field in world football. The tournament is only in its fourth edition at the moment and has already witnessed the likes of Alessandro Del Piero, Roberto Carlos, Robert Pires and Alessandro Nesta kicking the ball around on Indian soil.
The ongoing edition of the ISL has seen a huge overhaul in terms of the longevity of the tournament. With the addition of two new entrants, the competition is in its longest ever campaign and will go on for four months this time around.
Here, we take a look at five active ISL footballers with the highest fan following on social media! Kindly note that the number of likes on Facebook on their official pages has been used to rank the players.
#5 Romeo Fernandes - Delhi Dynamos
Facebook - 157,379, Twitter - 1,089, Instagram - 19.6K
The electrifying winger came into the spotlight during his time with FC Goa under Brazilian coach Zico. Romeo's impressive performances earned him a call-up to the Indian national team and was a key element in the FC Goa side that played the 2015 final against eventual winners Chennaiyin FC.
Romeo also became the first Indian to play professionally in South America at the senior level when he made an appearance from the bench during his loan spell at Brazilian club Atletico Paranaense.
#4 Sunil Chhetri - Bengaluru FC
Facebook - 309,787, Twitter - 969K, Instagram - N/A
India's all-time highest scorer Sunil Chettri comes fourth on the list and has featured for Mumbai City FC in the first two seasons of the ISL before shifting his loyalties to parent club Bengaluru FC, who are one of the two sides to make their competition debut this season.
The Indian skipper is a fan favourite at the Kanteerava stadium in Bengaluru and has been the backbone of a side that has won at least one trophy in every season since their inception back in 2013.
Chhetri has been in fine form for the Blues lately and played a key role in Bengaluru's dream start to the season.
#3 CK Vineeth - Kerala Blasters
Facebook - 310,317, Twitter - 80K, Instagram - 224K
One of Kerala's own, CK Vineeth is the highest followed Indian footballer on social media. The hitman from Kannur was the leading Indian goal-scorer in the ISL last year and played a crucial role in Kerala's run to the final.
Vineeth has been the poster-boy of Kerala football for quite some time now after his success with former club Bengaluru FC and not to forget his contributions to the national team in recent years.
After spending last season on loan from Bengaluru FC, Vineeth made a permanent shift to represent his home team in 2017 and is considered as an icon at the Jawahar Lal Nehru Stadium in Kochi.
#2 Robbie Keane - ATK
Facebook - 466,729, Twitter - N/A, Instagram - 371K
The former Tottenham and Liverpool striker Robbie Keane was one of the most decorated names who had struck a deal with an ISL club this season. The player joined two-time ISL champions ATK to bolster their chances in front of goal in a bid to defend their title successfully this season.
However, the 37-year-old is yet to feature in a game for ATK due to injury and the impact of the same is visible in the club's poor start to the season. The Kolkata-based franchise are without a win after the recently concluded second round of fixtures, staring down at the wrong end of the table.
#1 Dimitar Berbatov - Kerala Blasters
Facebook - 2,235,792 (2.2million), Twitter - N/A, Instagram - 42.7K
Arguably one of the biggest names in the ISL this season, Dimitar Berbatov sits on top of the list thanks to his stunning popularity around the world. The Bulgarian is the top-scorer for his country and has also played at the highest level for so long with clubs like Tottenham Hotspur, Manchester United and Monaco.
Berbatov has won two Premier League titles during his time with United and was also the golden boot winner in the 2010-11 season for the Red Devils. He is also the recipient of the highest number of Bulgarian Player of the Year award.
The fans in Kerala are yet to see the best of Berbatov in the famous yellow of the Blasters after their disappointing 0-0 draws against ATK and new entrants Jamshedpur FC so far this season.
