It’s not every day that you wake up to the revelation that Aaron Cresswell has a devoted fanbase in Pennsylvania or that Minnesota has an unexpected soft spot for Federico Chiesa.
Yet, these quirky tidbits are just the tip of the iceberg in FBref’s latest deep dive into the most searched football players across different cities, states, and countries. The findings are as random as they are fascinating, leaving fans scratching their heads at the sheer unpredictability of football fandom and what fans look for on the internet.
For the uninitiated, FBref is a go-to source for football stats, analytics, and data-driven insights. From expected goals (xG) to player heatmaps, they have it all.
Recently on X, they posted a thread that showcased the most visited player pages on their site, broken down by geographical regions. Predictably, it sparked equal parts intrigue and hilarity.
Chiesa, Cresswell and Totti- Odd one’s out in US
In the United States, Lionel Messi—unsurprisingly—takes the crown in most cities and states. Ever since his arrival at Inter Miami he’s been stealing all MLS headlines.
However, Minnesota, Hawaii, and Oklahoma are states where the surprises roll in. Aaron Cresswell is the leading man in terms of searches in Pennsylvania; while that sounds entirely absurd, a user on X had a theory that potentially justifies it, “1. fbref is HQ’d in Pennsylvania and 2. Aaron Cresswell is the top alphabetical player in the prem, maybe even Europe. So for every update they make, he’s the first player they check and it all counts towards Pennsylvania’s numbers”
While it is a shot in the dark, it is a fair explanation as to why West Ham’s left back, who hasn’t started any games this season, might be the most searched person in Pennsylvania.
Unfortunately, there’s no clear reason why Francesco Totti, the retired Roma legend, and Federico Chiesa, currently a Liverpool winger, have become the most searched individuals in Hawaii and Minnesota, respectively. One fan humorously remarked that even Minnesotans are trying to figure out where Chiesa has vanished to, given his limited appearances for the Reds.
Oklahoma’s Unique Choice
Oklahoma’s most searched player is DaMarcus Beasley, a former USMNT stalwart. While it should be natural for American players to garner attention in their home country, Beasley’s Indiana roots and having never spent time in Oklahoma make this pick unexpected, especially compared to the choices in other states.
Panama and Monterrey surprise in South America
The usual suspects dominated in the bigger countries in South America—Vinicius, Cristiano Ronaldo, and Lionel Messi. But Panama and Monterrey chose to pledge their loyalty to hometown heroes.
Adalberto Carrasquilla stands out as the most searched player in Panama City. The Panamanian midfielder, currently playing for Houston Dynamo in MLS, is a national star whose exploits abroad have clearly captured local attention.
In Monterrey, Mexico, Frenchman André-Pierre Gignac’s name reigns supreme. Gignac, a Tigres legend with over 400 appearances for the club, has cemented himself as a household name, and no wonder has the most searches on FBref.
Man United boys show up in Africa and Asia
Over in Ethiopia, Manchester United’s Diogo Dalot emerges as a niche favorite in Ethiopia’s capital, Addis Ababa. Meanwhile, Kazakhstan’s Almaty takes an even quirkier turn, with newly-signed United striker Joshua Zirkzee topping the charts. While United fans might not be convinced of Zirkzee’s exploits, people of Almaty certainly are.
Gunners in Auckland
Auckland, New Zealand, completes this list of random and unexpected football searches, thanks to Arsenal goalkeeper David Raya being the most looked up according to FBref. Clearly, Gunners fans have made their presence felt down under, leading to Raya becoming the city’s most searched player.
Whether it’s Aaron Cresswell winning hearts in Pennsylvania or a Roman legend like Totti captivating Hawaii, FBref’s findings are a testament to football’s random universal appeal and scattered fan following. So, the next time you’re searching for a player’s stats, remember—somewhere out there, someone’s doing the same for a reason you might never guess.
