Former ManU Merchandising Dir EDWARD FREEDMAN said that sales figures for FC Barcelona player LEO MESSI's signed memorabilia on Icons.com shows the Argentinian is now the U.K.'s favorite footballer. Freedman, also Icons Chair and labeled "football's merchandising guru" by The Economist, said that Messi memorabilia now outsells Real Madrid's CRISTIANO RONALDO, the next best-selling player by more than four times and leaves ManU's WAYNE ROONEY and Liverpool's STEVEN GERRARD trailing in his wake. Freedman: "U.K. football fans love Spanish football and Messi in particular. He's the neutral's favourite with most football lovers now agreeing he is the best in the world, if not the best ever. The U.K. public has fallen in love with him" (Icons.com).
Sales figures through Icons.com from April '11 - April '12:
| Player |
Team/Nation |
Units sold |
| 1. Leo Messi |
Barcelona, Argentina |
2021 |
| 2. Cristiano Ronaldo |
Real Madrid, Portugal |
496 |
| 3. Robin Van Persie |
Arsenal, Holland |
481 |
| 4. Kaka |
AC Milan, Brazil |
477 |
| 5. Luis Suarez |
Liverpool, Uruguay |
409 |
| 6. Andres Iniesta |
Barcelona, Spain |
386 |
| 7. Steven Gerrard |
Liverpool, England |
365 |
| 8. Wayne Rooney |
ManU, England |
274 |
| 9. Diego Maradona |
Argentina |
261 |
| 10. Fernando Torres |
Chelsea, Spain |
254 |
