In a year dominated by global headlines and sporting milestones, two icons stood tallest in the digital arena: Cristiano Ronaldo and Virat Kohli.
According to new search data from VegasInsider.com, Ronaldo was the most Googled athlete, reaffirming his status as the world’s most influential sportsperson. In India, the search spotlight shone brightest on Kohli, who once again emerged as the nation’s most Googled athlete, underscoring his unmatched popularity and cultural impact.
The study analysed Google search volumes across 188 countries and 790 global celebrities, offering one of the most comprehensive looks at digital popularity this year.
Cristiano Ronaldo Reigns as the Most Googled Athlete Worldwide
Cristiano Ronaldo once again proved his global star power, emerging as the most searched athlete in the highest number of countries-76 in total. His sustained popularity was driven by his contract extension, growing presence in global business ventures, and his ever-expanding influence in football and pop culture.
Rising Spanish sensation Lamine Yamal, who became a global breakout sports star in 2025, ranked second, being the most-googled athlete in 37 countries. Football icons continue to dominate the world’s digital imagination, with Lionel Messi ranking third, followed by tennis star Coco Gauff and Formula 1 champion Max Verstappen.
Top 5 Most Googled Athletes (Worldwide – Country Count)
- Cristiano Ronaldo – 76 countries
- Lamine Yamal – 37 countries
- Lionel Messi – 16 countries
- Coco Gauff – 8 countries
- Max Verstappen – 6 countries
In terms of total global search volume, Ronaldo again topped the list at 13.6 million monthly searches, followed by tennis trio Jannik Sinner, Carlos Alcaraz, and Yamal, each averaging 9.14 million.
Virat Kohli: India’s Most Googled Sportsperson of 2025
In India, no global or domestic athlete could match Virat Kohli’s digital reach. The data shows that Kohli remains unmatched in search popularity-reinforcing his status as not only India’s most influential cricketer but also one of its most recognisable public figures. Whether through his performances, leadership milestones, or off-field impact, Kohli maintained his grip on Indian sporting attention throughout the year.
Beyond Sports: India’s Most Googled Celebrities
While Kohli dominated the sports category, the entertainment sector told an equally interesting story:
- Selena Gomez was the most googled singer in India.
- Sydney Sweeney topped the list as the most searched actor.
The patterns reflect India’s strong engagement with international entertainment content across OTT platforms, music collaborations, and multi-genre pop culture.
Why These Names Dominated Searches
According to a VegasInsider.com spokesperson, the stars that dominated global search traffic in 2025 were those who were “impossible to ignore”:
- Ronaldo’s commercial deals and football milestones,
- Sweeney and Gomez’s major streaming projects,
- Billie Eilish’s world tour,
- all contributed to massive online visibility.