Cristiano Ronaldo’s online popularity shows no signs of slowing down after he was named the 'most searched athlete' in Google history.
The Al Nassr and Portugal forward continues to dazzle for club and country as he nears his 39th birthday but it appears that fans still can’t get enough of him.
His new achievement is another in a long list of accolades handed out to the Al Nassr star, adding to his five Ballon d’Or awards, five Champions League titles and Euro 2016 success with Portugal.
Ronaldo and Lionel Messi are seen as two of football's greatest players since their breakthroughs in the early noughties, rivalling each other for top team and individual honours, but it is Ronaldo who was searched most.
And he took to Instagram to celebrate the feat.
A video post showed Ronaldo showing his gratitude for the honour of becoming Google’s most searched athlete and celebrated by voicing his celebratory word 'siu’.
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Alongside the video, Ronaldo posted a caption which read: "Grateful to be honored as the most searched athlete in Google history."
However, neither he nor Messi were among the most searched athletes in 2023 - that accolade belonged to NFL star Damar Hamlin.
Former Manchester United star Ronaldo boasts a formidable social media following with a whopping 615 million Instagram followers.
That’s 120 million more than Messi who currently has 495 million followers.
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Ronaldo’s switch to Saudi Arabia in January has opened the door to a host of new stars moving to the Middle East.
Al Nassr’s global appeal has grown tenfold thanks to Ronaldo’s influence, helped by his prolific 50-goal calendar year.
Footage shows Cristiano Ronaldo shushing supporters chanting Lionel Messi's name in bad-tempered cup tie in Saudi ArabiaMeanwhile, Messi has made an impact of his own at MLS club Inter Miami after his arrival in July.
The Argentine steered Miami to Leagues Cup success in August – the first trophy in the club’s history.
The pair are set to face off one last time in 2024 when Inter Miami face Al Nassr in the Riyadh Cup, which will form part of their pre-season preparations ahead of the new MLS campaign.
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