Lionel Messi To Cristiano Ronaldo: Ranking The Top 5 Most Popular Football Stars Globally

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Football is the world's most popular sport, winning millions of fans and drawing an unparalleled viewership across various platforms. Given that level of attention, it is not unusual for some of the best footballers to rise to global superstardom. Today, stars like Messi and Ronaldo earn huge sums not just as salaries from their clubs but also seek lucrative sponsorship and brand deals, raising their status further. Their popularity transcends that of the sport, and their rising personal brands give them plenty of influence beyond the football field. Here are the top 5 most popular football players globally.

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Cristiano Ronaldo (39, Portugal) – Now playing for Al-Nassr, this legendary forward is still one of the most recognized footballers around the globe, as he continues his remarkable career in Saudi Arabia.

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Lionel Messi (36, Argentina) – Now with Inter Miami, Messi is widely considered one of the greatest footballers ever. He made a significant transition to the United States following an illustrious career at Barcelona and a short period at PSG.

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Neymar (32, Brazil) – After a long and successful career at PSG, Neymar has made the move to Al Hilal in Saudi Arabia, solidifying his status as one of the most renowned footballers in the world.

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Kylian Mbappé (25, France) – A burgeoning talent at PSG, Mbappé consistently showcases his incredible skills and athleticism, establishing himself as one of the youngest and most coveted stars in global football.

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Mohamed Salah (31, Egypt) – A pivotal player for Liverpool, Salah stands out as one of the Premier League's elite talents and serves as a global football icon, proudly representing Egypt on the international stage.