Catalan footballing giant Barcelona has announced that it has become the first sports club to gain 50 million fans on Facebook.

The La Liga title-holding club set up its Facebook account in October 2009, as part of a progressive digital strategy that also sees the use of seven other platforms.

Given the current number of followers on the social networking site, the club now states that its Facebook page is one of the top 30 most popular in the world.

Barca has also revealed that its highest number of Facebook followers come from Indonesia, where 4.7 million people subscribe. Mexico came in at second place with 3.4 million and Brazil was third with 2.5 million people keeping tabs on the club’s Facebook page.

The club has used the tool to boost its profile by launching interactive experiences to bring fans closer to the team. For example, last year Barcelona offered a live Q&A session with former Arsenal midfielder Cesc Fabregas through its Facebook page.

“Being the top sports club in the world by reaching 50 million worldwide fans on Facebook is an honour and at the same time a responsibility to our supporters,” said Dídac Lee, Barcelona’s director of new technologies.

“Barca is the most loved club in the world and this is further proof of that.”

Barcelona’s Facebook page is available to view here .