Argentine football maestro Lionel Messi has clinched the top spot as the most beloved athlete in the United States, surpassing iconic figures like Michael Jordan, LeBron James, and Tiger Woods.
This groundbreaking revelation stems from a recent poll conducted by SSRS, as reported by Essentially Sports.
For the first time in three decades, a soccer player has ascended to the pinnacle of American sports culture, dethroning longstanding titans such as Jordan, Woods, Peyton Manning, Kobe Bryant, and Tom Brady, who have traditionally dominated the charts since 1995.
Messi's meteoric rise to fame in the US market has been catalyzed by his association with Inter Miami, the MLS franchise captained by the Argentine superstar. Following the announcement of his merger with the club in June 2023, there has been a significant surge in the Major League Soccer fan base, catapulting from 35.3% to an impressive 37%.
Moreover, the poll divulged that Messi's popularity in the US has eclipsed that of his perennial rival, Cristiano Ronaldo, since 2021. With a remarkable trajectory, Messi's popularity soared to 9.7% after clinching the 2022 World Cup, subsequently escalating to 14.7% at the onset of 2023. The crescendo reached its zenith at 21.3% following his landmark signing with David Beckham's Inter Miami.
In stark contrast, Ronaldo's appeal has stagnated since 2022, languishing at a mere 5% according to the polling data.
The repercussions of Messi's affiliation with Inter Miami extend beyond individual accolades, as reports suggest that the club's valuation has skyrocketed from $600 million to an astonishing $1.03 billion. This seismic shift not only underscores Messi's profound influence but also underscores the burgeoning prominence of soccer within the American sporting landscape.
Furthermore, the polling site's findings revealed that Inter Miami has emerged as the preferred MLS club among American fans, surpassing the likes of the LA Galaxy, previously co-owned by soccer legend David Beckham.
