【Gulab 69 (2025) Hindi Web Series】

As 2016 winds down,Gulab 69 (2025) Hindi Web Series the folks at Instagram found a way to rank the world's top athletes on one, uniform statistic -- social media popularity.

This has been a year many people would like to forget. But if you're tired of reading about metaphors for it (which you can find here and here and everywhere, really), this list might help you take your mind of things.

Here's a look at athletes who gained the most Instagram followers in 2016.

10. Stephen Curry (@stephencurry30)

A photo posted by Wardell Curry (@stephencurry30) on Oct 1, 2016 at 7:52pm PDT

Though Curry missed out on a second championship ring, the Golden State Warriors point guard won his second straight NBA MVP Award and led the league in both scoring and steals last season.

Gained more than 8 million followers.

9. Luis Suarez ( @luissuarez9)

A photo posted by Luis Suarez (@luissuarez9) on May 22, 2016 at 5:34pm PDT

The Uruguayan footballer became the first player since 2009 to win the Pichichi Trophy and the European Golden Shoe.

Gained more than 8 million followers.

8. Zlatan Ibrahimovic (@iamzlatanibrahimovic)

A photo posted by IAmZlatan (@iamzlatanibrahimovic) on Jun 23, 2016 at 2:27am PDT

The Manchester United striker won the Guldbollen, awarded to the Swedish player of the year, for the tenth consecutive time in 2016.

Gained more than 10 million followers.

7. Paul Pogba (@paulpogba)

A photo posted by Paul Labile Pogba (@paulpogba) on Nov 26, 2016 at 2:16am PST

The 23-year-old transferred to Manchester United in 2016 for a world record transfer fee worth $116.4 million.

Gained more than 10 million followers.

6. LeBron James (@kingjames)

A photo posted by LeBron James (@kingjames) on Dec 1, 2016 at 3:07pm PST

King James brought Cleveland its first major sports championship since 1964, campaigned for Hillary Clinton and donated millions to charity. On Thursday, Sports Illustrated names James its Sportsman of the Year.

He was everywhere in 2016.

Gained more than 11 million followers.

5. James Rodriguez (@jamesrodriguez10)

A photo posted by James Rodríguez (@jamesrodriguez10) on Nov 6, 2016 at 7:08am PST

He's been called the "golden boy of Colombian football," which would explain the 11 million Instagram followers he gained this year.

4. Gareth Bale ( @garethbale11)

A photo posted by Gareth Bale (@garethbale11) on Sep 26, 2016 at 8:36am PDT

Bale became the leading British scorer in La Liga — Spain's top division — in March.

Gained more than 13 million followers.

3. Neymar (@neymarjr)

A photo posted by Nj 🇧🇷 👻 neymarjr (@neymarjr) on Oct 6, 2016 at 3:57pm PDT

Named the fourth-most famous athlete in the world earlier this year, Neymar hits the No. 3 spot on this list.

Gained more than 26 million followers.

2. Lionel Messi (@leomessi)

A photo posted by Leo Messi (@leomessi) on Nov 24, 2016 at 11:19am PST

The Argentine footballer initially announced his retirement from international competition in 2016, but changed his mind a week later. Perhaps the retirement scare boosted his absurd social media popularity.

Gained more than 29 million followers.

1. Cristiano Ronaldo (@cristiano)

A photo posted by Cristiano Ronaldo (@cristiano) on Nov 30, 2016 at 4:04am PST

Ronaldo topped ESPN's list of the most famous athletes in the world, so it's not surprising to see him top this one too. He won the UEFA European Championship in 2016 with Portgual, and remains an icon on and off the field.

Gained more than 42 million followers.

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