Who is more famous, Cristiano Ronaldo or Lionel Messi?
Cristiano Ronaldo. Over the last five years (September 2021 to September 2026), the world Googled Cristiano Ronaldo 1.2 times as often as Lionel Messi: about 17.4 million searches a month against 14.9 million, by our estimate from Google Trends.
Think you can call the next one? Two names, one hidden curve: pick the one the world Googled more.
Play the Sport gameWho was Googled more each year?
Cristiano Ronaldo was ahead in 3 of the 4 full years.
| Year | Cristiano Ronaldo | Lionel Messi |
|---|---|---|
| 2021* | 12.4 million | 10.5 million |
| 2022 | 21.2 million | 17.1 million |
| 2023 | 17.9 million | 18.3 million |
| 2024 | 15.3 million | 11.1 million |
| 2025 | 14.2 million | 9.5 million |
| 2026* | 20.3 million | 21.1 million |
Average searches a month, estimated. Partial years: the data starts in September 2021 and ends in September 2026.
Who is more famous right now?
Neck and neck. Over the last 12 months Cristiano Ronaldo edges it with 18.6 million searches a month, against 18.4 million for Lionel Messi.
When was each one searched the most?
- Cristiano Ronaldo: the week of July 5, 2026, 5.6 times a usual week.
- Lionel Messi: the week of December 18, 2022, 17 times a usual week (wins the World Cup).
How often did the lead change?
Cristiano Ronaldo out-searched Lionel Messi in 221 of 262 weeks. On a four-week average, the lead changed hands 13 times.
Who are they?
- Cristiano Ronaldo
- Portuguese association football player (born 1985)
- Lionel Messi
- Argentine association football player (born 1987)
How is this measured?
Each curve is Google Trends interest, worldwide, one point per week from September 26, 2021 to September 27, 2026. Trends only gives relative numbers, so every name is put on one scale against a shared anchor and turned into estimated searches. The ratios between two names are the solid part; the absolute counts are estimates. Both names are measured as Google Trends topics, which group every spelling and language. Not affiliated with Google.