Edmonton native Alphonso Davies, a rising star in the world of soccer, has claimed the title of the most influential Canadian sport star based on Instagram statistics. The study, conducted by PlayOJO, an online gambling company, analyzed the number of followers and engagement of various Canadian sports stars. Davies, who currently plays for Bayern Munich and the Canadian national team, has amassed over 5.4 million Instagram followers, with a 3.2 percent engagement rate and an average of 173,000 likes per post.
Gilles Prefontaine, a marketing instructor at NAIT’s JR Shaw School of Business, commented on the significance of Davies’ success. Prefontaine praised Davies’ journey from being a refugee to playing for a prestigious club like Bayern Munich, stating, “Phonsie, especially, is a wonderful news story, both in terms of his upbringing — coming in as a refugee — growing, in terms of the Canadian soccer community, and going and playing for Bayern, is awesome.” He also noted that Davies’ success inspires young athletes to be part of his journey.
Prefontaine acknowledged that soccer has a more global reach compared to other sports, stating, “Many of these athletes are going to draw from international groups. And so many of the sports that have much larger international volumes will naturally have a bigger impact in terms of that number of followers.”
The study also estimated that Davies has the highest potential earnings per sponsored post, with an estimated $87,176 per post and $113,424 per reel. However, Prefontaine emphasized that with such influence comes responsibility. He said, “When someone with that kind of notoriety can change behavior and influence potentially whole generations of individuals to consume something or do something very different, there is a certain amount of accountability.”
Georges St-Pierre, a retired MMA fighter, was ranked second in the study, boasting over 4.4 million followers. However, his engagement rate was lower at 0.6 percent. Tristan Thompson, a basketball player who has played 12 seasons in the NBA, secured third place with over 3.9 million followers and an average of 170,000 likes per post.
The top 10 Canadian sports stars, according to the study, also include Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (basketball), Genie Bouchard (tennis), Andrew Wiggins (basketball), Adam Copeland (WWE), Jamal Murray (basketball), Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (baseball), and RJ Barrett (basketball).
Davies’ inspiring story is well-known. Born in a refugee camp in Ghana to parents who had fled the civil war in Liberia, Davies arrived in Canada at the age of five. In July 2016, at just 15 years old, he left his hometown of Edmonton to pursue a professional soccer career. He signed with the Vancouver Whitecaps, becoming the third-youngest player in history to sign an MLS deal. Two years later, Davies made a record-breaking move to Bayern Munich in a deal worth possibly over US$22 million. He officially joined Bayern in January 2019.
Davies’ achievements are not limited to club soccer. He made his senior debut for Team Canada at the age of 16, becoming the youngest men’s player in Canadian team history. He obtained his Canadian citizenship the week before making his debut. Davies has since become the face of Canadian men’s soccer, both on and off the field. In June 2018, he represented Canada’s bid to host the 2026 World Cup during the FIFA Council presentation in Moscow.
Outside of his sporting accomplishments, Davies has cultivated a massive following on social media. He has 6.6 million followers on TikTok, 5.1 million on Instagram, and 472,800 on Twitter. Prefontaine commented on the role of social media influencers, stating, “A successful influencer draws back the curtain of their life and creates a sense of belonging.” He praised Davies for his impact on the Edmonton soccer community, saying, “Because in Canada, we have the Whitecaps and Toronto FC and it’s kind of feeling like everything in between, there’s nothing.”
Davies has also embraced his role as a global ambassador for UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency. Prefontaine noted Davies’ authenticity and support for his local community, stating, “He’s been very genuine in terms of sharing some of that influence with his local community.” Davies has participated in various activities and promotions to support local businesses and soccer clubs in Edmonton, elevating the city’s presence on the global stage.
In conclusion, Alphonso Davies’ rise to prominence as the most influential Canadian sport star demonstrates the power of his accomplishments and the impact he has on his followers and fans. His story resonates with people around the world, and his success serves as inspiration for aspiring athletes. With his massive social media following and potential earnings, Davies has a platform to influence and shape behaviors, emphasizing the need for responsibility and accountability.