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In today's world, football is not just a game, played with twenty-two players, four officials, and two angrily gesticulating managers. Today's game is often played with delicate, not-so-subtle touches of power and influence, much of which has evolved world football for better or worse.
The world has seen the emergence of truly influential figures: some may command a massive and dedicated social media following, others are activists who have built up widespread support for a worthy cause. Irrespective of the part these individuals play in football, their presence can cause a social media meltdown or even negatively affect the market value of the world's largest beverage company.
It's not often that the athletes themselves can garner such influence. In fact, there are only five footballers on this list. The other influential candidates on this list are massive behind the scenes, pulling major strings, and capable of making highly controversial decisions that can take the footballing world by storm.
So, let's take a look at ten of the most influential figures in world football, starting with Megan Rapinoe who is largely popular for both her skill on the pitch and her activism everywhere else.
#10 Megan Rapinoe | USWNT, activist
The 2019 FIFA Women's World Cup broke viewership records as over 1 billion people globally tuned in to watch the games. The final between the US and the Netherlands saw over 82 million people tune in; another record for women's football.
This massive viewership, as well as the USA's eventual win, quickly catapulted Megan Rapinoe and her teammates into the limelight worldwide. Rapinoe notably won the Golden Ball and Golden Boot awards, having scored 6 goals in just 428 minutes played.
These successes saw Rapinoe, already quite popular in her home country, bring international attention to her activism. Her outspoken views - and lawsuits - against gender discrimination and unequal pay in the US have gained attention from international viewers as well.
#9 Mohamed Salah | Liverpool
Mohamed Salah's emergence in 2018 as one of the best players to ever play for Liverpool took the Premier League by storm. By next season, Liverpool had won the Champions League, essentially sealing Salah's status as an Anfield legend. Soon after, the Reds took home the English Premier League title in record-breaking style, and once again, Mohamed Salah was at the helm of goalscoring affairs.
Although his goals capture the headlines, it is his goal celebration - performing the sujud - that has become a notable influence across the UK and the world at large. According to a study by the American Political Science Review, Salah's transfer to Liverpool reduced hate crimes in the city by 16%!
His philanthropic work in his home country of Egypt has also resulted in much adoration of the star across Africa. Salah has notably helped over 450 families with a monthly allowance, while giving the Egyptian government a cash boost during an economic crisis.
#8 Jorge Mendes | Sports agent
While his football career started in the hopes of becoming a professional player, things took an interesting turn after Jorge Mendes got rejected by clubs in Portugal. Rather than remain on the sidelines, Mendes pivoted into the world of negotiations, brokering, and deal-making, and by the early 2000s, he was on the payroll of the best Portuguese players in the world.
Aside from brokering Cristiano Ronaldo's transfer to Real Madrid, what catapulted Mendes into super-agent status was the 2014 summer transfer window. During that transfer window, Jorge Mendes was responsible for four of the seven biggest transfers worldwide, including Diego Costa to Atletico Madrid, Angel Di Maria to Manchester United, James Rodriguez to Real Madrid, and Eliaquim Mangala to Manchester City.
Mendes is also an agent for managers as well, having brokered deals to move Jose Mourinho to Chelsea, Inter Milan and Real Madrid respectively. The super-agent is still working behind the scenes, having negotiated the deal that took superstar Cristiano Ronaldo back to Manchester United.
#7 Jurgen Klopp | Football manager, Liverpool
Known for his man-management, long-term stay at clubs, and ability to rebuild squads into cup-winning teams, Jurgen Klopp is arguably one of the best managers in football today. His famous use of gegenpressing tactics has won the hearts of Liverpool fans and has been a thorn in the hearts of his opponents.
Klopp has been credited with revolutionizing gegenpressing tactics for modern football, as well as redefining the concept of man-management to suit his team's needs. Former Manchester United marksman Wayne Rooney openly praised Klopp last year, stating:
"I think if Klopp, who is only 53, stayed at Anfield for the next ten years, Liverpool would win at least five Premier League titles. He could keep building great sides because, as I mentioned, players join clubs to work with managers as good as him."
Liverpool's star manager notably inspires his players with his determination and personality, and this has built Liverpool into one of the most cohesive teams in world football.
#6 Mino Raiola | Sports agent
Another super-agent like Jorge Mendes, Mino Raiola, is very popular for his controversies. He's been known to make it very difficult for clubs, but the players under his care seem to have no issues with his eccentricities. Currently, the star agent represents Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Paul Pogba, Marco Veratti, Gianluigi Donnarumma, Matthjis de Ligt, and Erling Haaland, among many others.
Raiola, who speaks seven languages, has consistently been embroiled in disciplinary issues and controversies. Although he fought the case in court and won, Raiola was originally banned from acting as an agent for three months by the Italian Football Federation and FIFA Disciplinary Committee.
Raiola's major influence seems to come from his ability to convince the players under his representation that he has their best interests at heart. Paul Pogba, for example, might never have left Manchester United as a youngster if Raiola hadn't made Juventus an option for the young star.
#5 Florentino Perez | President, Real Madrid
Real Madrid's president, a former politician and a businessman is certainly one of the most influential figures in world football. Florentino Perez is also notably the only chairman of the proposed breakaway football league that would have formed the European Super League.
According to the Times, Perez was the force behind the Super League, and the entire idea was his brainchild. However, the reception from players and fans was overwhelmingly negative, so negative that many of the clubs reconsidered and withdrew from the ESL only three days later.
Perez remains intent on getting ESL, irrespective of any sanctions from UEFA or FIFA. In fact, he has explained that the project is merely on standby and not over. While this is just one of his many scandals, it shows just how influential Perez is in football. Starting a new continental league, after all, is not easy in any way.
#4 Marcus Rashford MBE | Manchester United, Activist
At just 23 years of age, Marcus Rashford is currently playing at the highest level of football with Manchester United and England. But it isn't his performances on the pitch that have put him on this list. Off the pitch, his campaign and activism against homelessness, racism, and child hunger took a global turn.
The Covid-19 lockdown in the UK, saw the end of the free meals that many children got as their main source of nutrition for the day. Rashford actively provided full support, especially on social media, and the initiative raised over £20 million. Since then, he has continued to advocate openly in his attempts to tackle child hunger and poverty.
The star was notably appointed Member of the Order of the British Empire a year ago, and ever since, he has continued to drive his initiatives forward.
#3 Nasser Al-Khelaifi | President & CEO, Paris Saint-Germain
This Qatari businessman might be running things at the helm of the Parisian giants, but his influence is far-reaching. Nasser Al-Khelaifi is the chairman of beIN media group, Qatar Sports Investments, and Qatar Tennis Federation, respectively.
Al-Khelaifi had an important role to play in bringing superstars to the club, starting with players like Zlatan Ibrahimovic. In more recent years, the businessman has overseen the signings of world-class players like Neymar, Lionel Messi, Achraf Hakimi and Gianluigi Donnarumma.
In areas of controversy, the PSG chairman has certainly had more than his fair share. Constant legal battles in Switzerland since 2017 have had Al-Khelaifi embroiled with the courts.
#2 Lionel Messi | Paris Saint-Germain
Arguably the best footballer in the world, and Barcelona's all-time top goalscorer, Lionel Messi, broke the internet when Barca announced that he would be leaving the club on a free transfer. Eventually, after an emotional farewell to the club and the fans, Messi started his new chapter in Paris Saint-Germain.
Throughout much of his career, Messi has been actively involved in charitable cases and efforts. Serving as a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador in 2010, Messi has gone on to start off his own foundation, as well as invest in youth clubs in Argentina.
Messi might be as humble and reserved as they come, but the maestro is loved worldwide. His accolades have been well documented over the years, and much of his marketing brand has been focused on his talents, skills, and gameplay. Messi is the second-most recognized player globally, behind only the Portuguese maestro,
#1 Cristiano Ronaldo | Manchester United
The Red Devils' world-class marksman has a massive influence that exceeds the world of sport and pushes him into pure celebrity status. Notably the most marketable and famous athlete in the world, he is the first footballer to earn $1 billion in his career. He also happens to be the most popular and most-followed figure on social media, with a total of 500 million followers across Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.
Often depicted as arrogant in comparison to Lionel Messi's humility, much of Cristiano Ronaldo's powerful influence on social media comes from his extroverted nature. His fans, however, will argue that Ronaldo isn't arrogant but driven and determined to succeed constantly.
A few months ago, his controversial act of removing two Coca-Cola bottles from his press conference table notably saw the company lose £2.8 billion in market value. He's likely not the first athlete to publicly react negatively to soft drinks, but his powerful influence was enough to cause a widespread stir after the incident.
