Cristiano Ronaldo beats Lionel Messi and LeBron James to grab No. 1 spot in remarkable social media ranking among top athletes

Cristiano Ronaldo remains the king both on and off the field. He has beaten the likes of Lionel Messi and LeBron James in the list of 10 most searched athletes on Google and social media.

Ronaldo, 38, is widely regarded as one of the finest players in the history of the game. Since bursting onto the scene as a precocious teenager two decades ago, the five-time Ballon d'Or winner is still going strong, ageing like fine wine.

The Al-Nassr forward has scored goals and big titles galore for some of the top clubs in the game and for Portugal and is showing no signs of slowing anytime soon.

Ronaldo is the most followed person on Instagram. So it's no surprise that he topped a OLBG team study of the 10 most searched athletes online in the last 12 months, as per Marca.

With nearly 200 million hits (199.4m to be exact), Ronaldo is well clear of second-placed Neymar (140.9 million). Inter Miami attacker Lionel Messi is a distant third with 100.4 million. LA Lakes legend LeBron James (72.1 million) comes in next, while former India cricket captain Virat Kohli (68 million) rounds out the top five.

Footballers Kylian Mbappe (sixth) and Erling Haaland (ninth), tennis stars Carlos Alcaraz (seventh) and Novak Djokovic (eighth), and Formula1 legend Lewis Hamilton complete the top 10.

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How have Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi fared this year?

Cristiano Ronaldo (left) and Lionel Messi

Apart from Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi is another generational player and widely regarded as the best ever in the game's history. Both players have had a strong start to the season.

Ronaldo has 12 goals and six assists in 12 games across competitions for Al-Nassr. The tally includes a Saudi Pro League-leading 10 goals and five assists in nine games for Luis Castro's side, who are third in the league after 10 games.

Meanwhile, Messi has had a rousing start at MLS side Inter Miami this summer after joining them on a free transfer. In 13 games across competitions, he has 11 goals and five assists.

Ten of those goals and one assist came in the Herons' triumphant Leagues Cup campaign, their first-ever trophy in their short five-year history.