Poll further suggests Messi is more popular than Cristiano Ronaldo in US since 2021
Argentina star and Inter Miami captain Lionel Messi has become the most popular athlete in the United States, surpassing legendary athletes such as Michael Jordan, LeBron James and Tiger Woods, according to a poll conducted by SSRS. essentially sport the report said.
This is the first time in 30 years that a footballer has topped the rankings.
According to SSRS, players such as Jordan, Woods, Peyton Manning, Kobe Bryant and Tom Brady have topped the list every year since 1995.
Messi announced a merger with Inter Miami in June 2023, and Major League Soccer (MLS)’s fan base increased from 35.3% to 37%.
The poll further revealed that Messi is more popular in the United States than Cristiano Ronaldo since 2021.
The popularity of the 36-year-old “La Pulga” rose to 9.7% after winning the World Cup in 2022. Since the beginning of 2023, this number has continued to grow to 14.7%, and it has jumped sharply to 21.3% after signing David Beckham football team.
For Ronaldo, meanwhile, the ratio has been at a lower level since 2022 and has stabilized at 5%.
According to reports, Messi’s net worth has skyrocketed from US$600 million to an astonishing US$1.03 billion since he joined Inter Miami.
The polling site also found that Inter Miami beat out LA Galaxy, previously co-owned by David Beckham, to become the most popular MLS club in the United States.