The fourth season of the Indian Super League (ISL) kicked off in Kochi on Friday, 17 November, the with a draw between defending champions Atletico de Kolkata and two-time finalists Kerala Blasters.
Social media has become an integral part of all sports tournaments in the last few years, and among all the platforms, it is mostly on Twitter where fans get to express their views and also interact with the players.
The ISL Twitter account, which was set up in 2013, has 5,75,000 followers. It’s most retweeted tweet this year has been about the announcement of Salman Khan and Katrina Kaif performing at the opening ceremony.
Here’s a look at the most followed teams in the ISL, and each of their most retweeted tweets of 2017.
1. Kerala Blasters FC
Kerala Blasters FC are the most followed ISL team, with 1.6 million followers. The Twitter account, which was set up in June 2014, has recorded 9,134 tweets and 3,494 likes.
Their most retweeted tweet in 2017 was the one welcoming Bulgarian star Dimitar Berbatov. The striker has scored 280 goals in his club career and 48 goals in his international career.
That tweet has been retweeted over 1,000 times.
2. Chennaiyin FC
Second on the most followed list is Chennaiyin FC. The club has 5,54,000 followers. The account, which was set up in September 2014, has recorded 12.8k tweets and 693 likes.
It’s most retweeted tweet of 2017 has been the post about thanking wicketkeeper-batsman MS Dhoni’s for being an inspiring leader. The tweet has been retweeted 308 times.
The former India captain is the co-owner of the Chennaiyin FC.
3. Atletico de Kolkata
Atletico de Kolkata ranks third on the list, with 4,79,000 followers. The account, which was set up in July 2014, has recorded 20.3k tweets and 3,234 likes.
Their most retweeted post was one where the team was welcoming Irish star Robbie Keane. The forward has scored 317 goals in his club career and 68 goals in his international career. However, Keane will be missing at least three ISL matches due to a knee injury.
4. NorthEast United FC
NorthEast United FC comes in at number 4. The club, which has 3,98,000 followers, has recorded 12.3k tweets and 2,414 likes.
It’s most retweeted tweet is the one announcing the club’s residential youth academy in Shillong. The ISL clun is making huge efforts to develop football in the northeastern states.
5. FC Goa
With 2,94,000 followers, FC Goa is placed in the fifth place. The club’s Twitter account has recorded 28.1k tweets and 1,570 likes.
It’s most retweeted post this year was the one which they quote tweeted Virat Kohli. The football club is co-owned by the current India cricket captain.
Kohli, through his tweet, asked the Goa fans to sign up for a membership with the football club.
6. Bengaluru FC
A debutant in the ISL, Bengaluru FC are comes sixth in the list with 2,01,000 followers. The club has recorded 21.3k tweets and 1,003 likes.
It’s most retweeted tweet is the one announcing that former cricketer Rahul Dravid would be the brand ambassador of the club.
The tweet has been retweeted 468 times.
7. Mumbai City FC
Mumbai City FC comes in on number seven on the list, with 1,43,000 followers. The club has recorded 7,365 tweets and 924 likes.
The club’s most retweeted post was the announcement of the arrival of Brazilian attacking midfielder Thiago Nascimento dos Santos into the team. He has joined the Mumbai outfit on loan from the Flamengo.
8. FC Pune City
The team in the eighth spot is FC Pune City. The club has recorded 7,082 tweets and 666 likes.
Their most retweeted tweet is the one welcoming Uruguayan Emiliano Alfaro. The striker, who was signed in July this year, played for NorthEast United FC in the last season.
9. Delhi Dynamos FC
The Delhi Dynamos FC is placed ninth on the list with 1,07,000 followers. The club has recorded 14.9k tweets and 3,227 likes.
Their most retweeted post was the one celebrating the Indian football team’s feat of reaching the highest FIFA rank in 21 years, back in May.
10. Jamshedpur FC
Finally, the other debutant this year, Jamshedpur FC, is placed 10th in the most followed list. The club has recorded 2,595 tweets and 636 likes.
Their most retweeted post was the one in which actor Priyanka Chopra is sending her wishes to the team. The actor grew up in Jamshedpur.
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