Times have certainly changed with the growth of the internet and the popularity of social media platforms such as Facebook and Instagram. While social media offers easy access to news and the ability for clubs to interact with their fans, it also has downsides, such as the abhorrent abuse that players often receive.

Instagram was launched in 2010 and is a platform used for uploading photos and videos to your followers. Teams have found it a useful channel to share content with their supporters. While not everybody who follows a sports team on a platform is necessarily a fan, the numbers do give an indication as to how popular a team is. In this list, we look at the 10 most followed football teams on Instagram.

Real Madrid are the most decorated club in both Spanish and European football. Their 15 European Cups are a record, as are the club's 36 top flight titles won in Spain.

The capital outfit has had superstar players across every generation. From Ferenc Puskas and Alfredo Di Stefano in the 1950s and '60s to modern-day Real Madrid with Kylian Mbappe and Vinicius Junior, star players always find a home in Madrid. The 'Galacticos' era at the club saw a whole team filled with talent, including David Beckham, Luis Figo, and Ronaldo, and increased the appeal of the club worldwide. Like Manchester United, Real Madrid weren't afraid to test out other markets, such as Asia, to increase their commercial appeal.