Lehmann most influential women's player on Instagram ahead of World Cup
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[June 28, 2023]
By Lori Ewing
MANCHESTER, England (Reuters) - Switzerland's Alisha Lehmann,
arguably as well known for her social media presence as her prowess
on the pitch, is the top Instagram influencer heading to the Women's
World Cup, according to Nielsen Sports, amassing 13.5 million
followers to pass American Alex Morgan in the last year.
"The soccer players participating at World Cup 2023 are not only
exceptional sportswomen but also social media powerhouses, capable
of driving impactful conversations and fostering genuine connections
with their followers," Jon Stainer, Nielsen's global managing
director, said in a statement.
Lehmann's followers jumped 75% over the last year, according to
Nielsen InfluenceScope, taking the striker - who has posted on
behalf of fashion brand Boohoo, perfume company Gisada, British
jeweller MJ Jones, EA Sports and Coca Cola - past Roger Federer as
the most popular Swiss sportsperson on Twitter.
The 24-year-old has also been outspoken about the toxic world of
online trolls and featured in UEFA's 2022 "Respect" campaign about
online bullying.
Lehmann told talkSPORT recently: "Some people just see Instagram and
social media and don't even know I actually play football ... When I
don't post a football picture for a week, people say, 'Oh she
doesn't even play.'"
Lehmann, who scored six goals in 31 games for Aston Villa this
season and has 38 caps, comes in ahead of Spain midfielder Alexia
Putellas, U.S. striker Morgan, and England captain Leah Williamson,
who will miss the World Cup with a knee injury.
Each Instagram post from Lehmann and Putellas, who in 2021 was the
first player to win the UEFA Women's Player of the Year, Ballon d'Or
Feminin and The Best FIFA Women's Player award in the same year,
deliver over $100,000 of media value to brands.
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![](../images/062823PIX/sports75.jpg)
Soccer Football - Women’s FA Cup - Aston
Villa v AFC Fylde - The Banks's Stadium, Walsall, Britain - January
29, 2023 Aston Villa's Alisha Lehmann celebrates scoring their ninth
goal Action Images via Reuters/John Clifton/File photo
![](../images/ads/current/graue_lda_4_2021.png)
Germany's Jule Brand, a forward at VfL Wolfsburg,
had the greatest growth of followers by any player in Nielsen's
top-10 most influential, with an increase of 517% over the last
year.
Rounding out the top 10 are: Megan Rapinoe (U.S.); Marta (Brazil);
Jordyn Huitema (Canada); Brand; Alessia Russo (England); and Sakina
Karchaoui (France).
The rankings, created ahead of the World Cup that kicks off on July
20 in Australia and New Zealand, are based on Nielsen's measurement
tool InfluenceScope.
It evaluates followers and follower growth, engagement rate,
audience reachability and average brand value per post on Instagram
to determine which players deliver the most social media value to
their sponsors.
Cristiano Ronaldo has the most Instagram followers among male
players with over 530 million.
(Reporting by Lori Ewing; Editing by Ken Ferris)
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