Soccer

Messi or Ronaldo: Who is the most popular soccer player in each US state?

Since their ascension to popularity, Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi have dominated every highlight, award, and trophy a soccer player could desire. Both of themhave fans from all over the world, but let's check out what each of the 50 US states thinks about them.

Lionel Messi of PSG and Cristiano Ronaldo of Manchester United
© Aurelien Meunier & Manchester United/Getty ImagesLionel Messi of PSG and Cristiano Ronaldo of Manchester United

It’s hard to discuss soccer players without mentioning Paris Saint-Germain‘sLionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo of Manchester United. Both of themhave won it all: championships, honors, and records. They have also beentwo of the highest-paid celebrities, with huge net worths, incomes, and record deals.

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37-year-old central striker Cristiano Ronaldo is a world-famous soccer player and a symbol for many United States fans who worship him. In his native country of Portugal, he has an airport named after him, as well as a museum.

Meanwhile, 34-year-old winger Messi is also one of the most popular athletes in America. Thus, the fact that former US president BarackObama’s daughterrequested an autographand a photograph of him speaks volumes about his popularity in the USA.

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Where in the US is Messi the most popular soccer player?

Lionel Messi is the soccer player with the mostfans in the United States, ahead ofCristiano Ronaldo. According to the websitefor soccer statsFBref.com, the Argentine ace is the favorite player in a total of 30 US states.

The data says that the Paris Saint-Germain star was voted as the most popular in Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Montana, California, Nevada, Hawaii, Colorado, Nebraska, Texas, Oklahoma, Massachusetts, Connecticut, District of Colombia, Virginia, West Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Louisiana, Mississippi, Florida, Georgia, Alabama, Michigan, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan, Ohio, Iowa, Missouri.

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He also can boast of getting the primate in the largest American state, California. On the west coast, the “Messi mania” occupies nine states out of 12, with the exclusion of Alaska. The seven-time Ballon d’Or winner dominates in theCentral United States with22 states voting him as their favorite player, whilenineWest Coast statessee him as better than Ronaldo.

Where in the US is Ronaldo the most popular soccer player?

Cristiano Ronaldo has been voted as the secondmost popular soccer player in the US, with an overall number of 19 states. According to the stats byFBref.com, the citizens of Rhode Island, Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, New York, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware, Tennessee, Kentucky, Indiana, Arkansas, North Dakota, South Dakota, Wyoming, Utah, New Mexico, Kansas, Pennsylvania – all find the Portuguese veteran to be the best player there is in the sport.

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An interesting fact is that the five-time Ballon d’Or winner leads in the smallest state in the USA by population,Wyoming, as well as in the smallest state,Rhode Island. The data suggests that the West part of the country isn’t very fond of the Manchester United ace, as only three countries rated him as first. In addition, just seven states located inCentral America voted for him.

The East Coast meanwhile seems to be where the real battle between these two stars takes place, as Ronaldo has eight states in his favor, just one less than his arch-nemesis. However, he can boast of ruling the Northeast Region, winning over as manyas eight states.

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Who is the most popular soccer player in Alaska?

Interestingly enough, soccer fans inAlaska aren’t much fond of either one of Lionel Messi andCristiano Ronaldo. Alaska’s most well-known and treasured soccer player is none else but USWNT‘s main star, Megan Rapinoe.

She won the 2019Women’s Ballon d’Or and The Best FIFA Women’sPlayer, and alsoearned the Golden Boot and the Golden Ball at the 2019 World Cup for scoring the most goals and being the best player in the competition.In addition, the 36-year-old veteran winger is an Olympic gold medallist.

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The significance and prominence of women’s sports have undoubtedly changed as a result of the appearance of notable female players such asRapinoe. Hersocial, political, and cultural interests, in addition to her soccer aptitude and talent, set her apart from otherplayers, both men, and women. She has always taken use of herpower and celebrityto promote her ideas and beliefs.

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