RONALDO, LEBRON JAMES & MESSI LEAD ESPN ‘WORLD FAME 100’

March 13, 2019

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Joseph Omoniyi

Five-time Ballond’Or winner, Cristiano Ronaldo has once again been named the biggest name in sports, according to ESPN’s annual World Fame 100 lists.

The ranking is made up of the biggest sporting names based on search score, endorsements and social following.

The Portuguese topped the list for the fourth straight year beating NBA player LeBron James and Barcelona rival Lionel Messi.

Ronaldo tops the list in the social followers with 344.3m, well ahead of fellow footballer Neymar with 208.9m. Messi is next with 191.7m, almost double fourth-placed James with 109.9m.

James is however paid the most in endorsements, topping US$52m in the last year.

Stephen Curry and Tiger Woods both sit in second on the endorsements list with $42m, just ahead of Roger Federer at $41.5m.

Only three women made the list with Serena Williams the highest ranked in 17th position, ahead of fellow tennis stars Maria Sharapova (37th) and Sania Mirza (93rd).

Liverpool forward is the only African player that made the list with 21.3m social media followers, 24 search score and $11 million worth of endorsements.