In the world of sports, debates surrounding the popularity of athletes continually circulate among fans. Questions about who is the most popular athlete often arise, and an answer has arrived. The results are in, and the title of the most searched athlete in the world goes to none other than Cristiano Ronaldo. Surpassing his biggest soccer rival Lionel Messi and even the NBA legend LeBron James, Ronaldo has solidified his place at the top of the list.

The year 2023 has been particularly eventful for Cristiano Ronaldo. Following his departure from Manchester United, he made a shocking move to join the Saudi Club Al Nassr. This move sparked a trend, with several European stars following suit and making their way to Saudi Arabia. Clearly, fans around the world have been captivated by Ronaldo’s bold choice.

Cristiano Ronaldo takes the crown for the most-searched athlete

Le Parisien recently revealed the results of their investigation into the most searched athlete. Cristiano Ronaldo emerged as the clear winner with a staggering 199.4 million searches over the course of a year. This impressive achievement surpasses the searches for Lionel Messi and LeBron James, both of whom had standout years as well.

It should be noted that 2023 marked Lionel Messi’s first year as a World Champion, and he also made a surprising move to Inter Miami from PSG. Additionally, LeBron James had a historic year, surpassing Kareem Abdul-Jabbar to become the leading scorer in NBA history in February.

Despite these remarkable accomplishments, it is Ronaldo who reigns supreme in terms of online searches, which undoubtedly speaks to his immense influence and global appeal. Ronaldo’s dominance in the realm of online searches highlights the ever-growing popularity of soccer as a sport, as well as his unparalleled individual stardom. Although Lionel Messi falls behind in search rankings, he is set to receive one significant accolade, the Ballon d’Or.

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Not the most searched but Lionel Messi is the best soccer player of 2023

Messi showcased an exceptional performance on the field last year. He led Argentina to victory in the World Cup while also securing the Golden Ball. Additionally, he had a remarkable season with PSG, scoring 21 goals and providing 20 assists across various competitions, ultimately winning the Ligue 1 title.

Following this, it has now been officially announced by SPORT that the Argentine maestro has won his eighth Ballon d’Or. The 36-year-old will receive the prestigious trophy on October 30th during the official Ballon d’Or ceremony. In contrast, CR7 experienced a surprising absence from this year’s nomination list, marking the first time in twenty years. With five Ballon d’Or titles to his credit, he now trails Messi by three.

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