5 clubs that have gained a huge fan following in recent times
With social platforms expanding day by day and the increased outreach of different type of media, the global football fan base is growing exponentially. Live matches are now available in almost every country and people - old and young, men and women are glued to their televisions during weekends to watch their favourite team play.
Every person new to the field tends to get maximum information about the recent happenings and as a result, some of the "newer" clubs that have been successful recently, have seen their fan following increase in recent times.
Here are 5 such clubs whose recent achievements have gained them many ardent disciples:
#5 Atletico Madrid
Atletico Madrid appointed Diego Simeone as their manager in 2011 at a time when many were crying out for a club to break the hegemony of Barcelona and Real Madrid. The Argentinean took his time, but slowly built a unit that was hard to play against and harder to beat.
Asserting dominance physically in a bid to outplay the opponent was his approach very often, and matches often turned into physical battles.
They reaped the benefits in 2013 when they beat Real Madrid to win the Copa del Rey. They slowly become a force to be reckoned with and won the La Liga the following season, finishing three points ahead of both Barcelona and Real Madrid.
They came agonisingly close to winning the 2014 UEFA Champions League final as Madrid ran out winners following a 93rd-minute equaliser, and once again in 2016, as they again lost to Real Madrid in penalties.
All these exploits garnered the attention and backing of the masses all over the world.