Who is the world's biggest living Celebrity?

[DAF86]

And unfortunately for the world, anything the Western powers (namely the US of A) likes and deems cool, the rest of the world falls in place like dominos. Who do you think owns companies like MTV whose sole job is to sell cool to the new generation? When it comes to creating stardom and generating popularity whether good or bad, the USA is where its fostered and developed. Because of this, soccer players will never get the recognition shared by celebrities of other fields.

Do you know that Soccer, as you say, is the most popular sport in the world, right? And that the Soccer world cup is the sport event (actually any kind of event) that moves more people in the whole world (even more than the olympics)?

And that outside northamerica nobody gives a rat's ass about the superbowl, the world series, the Bradys, the A-Rods and all the other steroid abusers that play in the NFL and the MLB?

[tp2021]

Man...someone is butthurt over a poll. I wonder who?

[Don Quixote]

What about the Lord, the most-Wonderful messiah?

Ladies and gents: the world's biggest celebrity.

[dirk4mvp]

LOL I guess I see Argentina posters point. Their country has like 4 people in their history that could be considered national heroes, so I they gotta latch on to this guy as much as possible.

[DAF86]

LOL I guess I see Argentina posters point. Their country has like 4 people in their history that could be considered national heroes, so I they gotta latch on to this guy as much as possible.

Please, don't you realize how selfcentered and obnoxious some of you guys are beign? You think that everything that happens in the US are the only things that matter in the world. I'd love for Maradona not to be Argentine (or me) so you don't think I'm beign BS. I'm giving you facts: Soccer is the most popular sport in the world, Maradona is the most popular soccer player, nobody cares about the NFL and the MLB outside NA, nobody knows Oprah outside the US, etc. If you can't accept that, well I'm sorry. I think that the ones that are butthurt are the ones realizing that they aren't as important as they think they are.

[peewee's lovechild]

The article is full of inaccuaracies, no need to read more then a couple of paragraphs.

You say it's full of "inaccuaracies", yet you only read a couple of paragraphs.

Chingado you're fucking stupid.

Hey, pendejo, guess what . . . it's all based on the Argentina/Nazi Commission that your country put together.

It's admirable that you want to stand up for your country like an inner-city child will stand up for his "hood". But, it's flat out idiotic when facts are staring at you straight in the face.

But, hey, if you want to continue to look like the pendejo you are . . . go right on ahead.

[peewee's lovechild]

So is a big % of Americans . . . what the fuck is you point? Maradona is still popular, even after all the trouble he has had with drugs.

Jacko touches little boys dicks for fun, and he is still popular.

Do you understand why I tell you your arguments are almost always moronic? They make little sense. They don't even defend your own stance.

1. We're not talking about the percentage of Americans who abuse drugs.

2. Maradonna, not Jacko or McCartney, has been banned from the U.S. because of drug related issues.

3. Has Jacko been convicted of the crime that you are sure he committed?

4. Are you one of the little boys who was butt-fucked by Jacko? Because if you are, it's best if you go to the authorities and recount the harrowing details of said event so they can put him behind bars and you can finally have a point in this thread.

5. It doesn't make sense to you because your massively gigantic ears have taken the place of the gray matter that should've formed inside your skull.

[peewee's lovechild]

Please, don't you realize how selfcentered and obnoxious some of you guys are beign? You think that everything that happens in the US are the only things that matter in the world. I'd love for Maradona not to be Argentine (or me) so you don't think I'm beign BS. I'm giving you facts: Soccer is the most popular sport in the world, Maradona is the most popular soccer player, nobody cares about the NFL and the MLB outside NA, nobody knows Oprah outside the US, etc. If you can't accept that, well I'm sorry. I think that the ones that are butthurt are the ones realizing that they aren't as important as they think they are.

You're speaking from an Argentinians point of view.

I highly doubt that Maradonna is more popular than David Beckham in Europe.

I'd like to hear from ST posters that actually live in Europe and have no ties to Argentina if Maradonna is indeed more popular than Beckham.

Slomo, could you drop us some knowledge?

[DAF86]

You're speaking from an Argentinians point of view.

I highly doubt that Maradonna is more popular than David Beckham in Europe.

I'd like to hear from ST posters that actually live in Europe and have no ties to Argentina if Maradonna is indeed more popular than Beckham.

Slomo, could you drop us some knowledge?

See for yourself

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/FIFA_Player_of_the_Century

P/S: Please take into consideration that Pele works for FIFA while Maradona has said: "fuck off" to all FIFA members many times.

[peewee's lovechild]

See for yourself

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/FIFA_Player_of_the_Century

Wikipedia?

Are you serious?


Anyway, like I said . . . let's get some ST posters from Europe, with no ties to Argentina whatsoever, to tell us if Maradonna is indeed as popular as you say he is.

I hope Slomo or that Poland dude can shed some light on this for us.

[DAF86]

Wikipedia?

Are you serious?


Anyway, like I said . . . let's get some ST posters from Europe, with no ties to Argentina whatsoever, to tell us if Maradonna is indeed as popular as you say he is.

I hope Slomo or that Poland dude can shed some light on this for us.

The poll result is official man, besides it's common knowledge, for everybody outside the US that is.

[peewee's lovechild]

See for yourself

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/FIFA_Player_of_the_Century

P/S: Please take into consideration that Pele works for FIFA while Maradona has said: "fuck off" to all FIFA members many times.


Oh, and since we're doing wiki stuff here's this gem:

http://wiki.answers.com/Q/Who_is_the_most_popular_soccer_player_in_the_world

[DAF86]

Oh, and since we're doing wiki stuff here's this gem:

http://wiki.answers.com/Q/Who_is_the_most_popular_soccer_player_in_the_world

What part of "that poll is an official FIFA thing" didn't you get?

[monosylab1k]

Does Oprah have a movie?

Aye4TUFgsP8

:lmao is this a serious question? yes Oprah has had documentaries made about her. she's also starred in alot of movies, got nominated for an Oscar for The Color Purple, which I'm damn sure made more money internationally than that youtube piece of shit.

[monosylab1k]

What part of "that poll is an official FIFA thing" didn't you get?

Poll Don't Lie (see poll above)

[DAF86]

:lmao is this a serious question?

Yes, like I said. Outside the US not many people know a lot of things about her.

[peewee's lovechild]

There's also this:

http://www.bigsoccer.com/forum/showthread.php?t=866120

I guess it's neither Becks or Maradonna.

[monosylab1k]

Yes, like I said. Outside the US not many people know a lot of things about her.

Find me the total international money made by that soccer guy's movie, and I'll find the international totals for The Color Purple, and we'll see who is more popular.

[peewee's lovechild]

Maybe it's Cuahtemoc Blanco.

[peewee's lovechild]

http://www.footbo.com/Players

On this site, Maradonna has the 22nd most fans than any other soccer player.

Ronaldo is first.

[DAF86]

There's also this:

http://www.bigsoccer.com/forum/showthread.php?t=866120

I guess it's neither Becks or Maradonna.

You know that Maradona is a retired player, right? and all of those are current ones. Besides you can look all the polls you want but I already posted the official one. I'm pretty sure there's a poll out there with every single player in the world at the top, but they're all shitty ones.

[peewee's lovechild]

http://ezinearticles.com/?The-Best-Soccer-Player-in-the-World&id=1338491

Pele of Brazil is the best soccer player in the world, though the world has come to know some of the other greats of the game. To play like the way he did is the dream of the millions and millions of soccer followers.

Soccer is one of the few sports which can attract huge number viewers. The world has been enjoying the thrills of the game played by the thousands of soccer athletes from various countries.

Aside from Pele, there have been a lot of soccer legends who came to entertain the world. Ronaldo, David Beckham, and Diego Maradona are some of the greats who through the years have been hailed as soccer legends. Their notable performance on the field made them an inspiration to a lot of soccer enthusiasts. They are considered the symbols of the sport.

To be the best soccer player in the world requires a lot of effort, patience, and good game attitude. Soccer is not an easy game to play and takes a great deal of practice, a whole bunch of training and serious hard work. It takes a good deal of endurance to stick with your training regimen and to be more determined when things get tougher. Conditioned body and mind therefore is required to hone specific soccer skills.

Pele became a soccer god because he deserved it. He studied and mastered the game for many years. He experienced all the pain and failure that a typical football player goes through. But he never gave up. Instead, he worked his way to become the greatest soccer athlete of all time.

[peewee's lovechild]

That must be why you Argentinians say that Pele is not the world's best soccer player.

It's because Pele is a "soccer god".

It all makes sense now.

[monosylab1k]

Maybe Oprah has some ties to Argentina, that'll get those ass clowns on my side.

[DAF86]

Find me the total international money made by that soccer guy's movie, and I'll find the international totals for The Color Purple, and we'll see who is more popular.

Who cares? Alex Rodriguez makes I don't know how many millions a year and nobody gives a shit about him.

[peewee's lovechild]

You know that Maradona is a retired player, right? and all of those are current ones. Besides you can look all the polls you want but I already posted the official one. I'm pretty sure there's a poll out there with every single player in the world at the top, but they're all shitty ones.



What's official about it?

And, that site link I gave is supported by soccer fans from all over the world.

They choose who is the greatest soccer player. And, in that instance, they chose Ronaldo.

I'm sorry you are all ass hurt about it. But, it seems that the soccer world is not centered in Argentina.

I'm sorry to break that news to you.

Now, go get some toilet paper, or maybe a tampon, and take care of that rectal bleeding.

[monosylab1k]

Who cares? Alex Rodriguez makes I don't know how many millions a year and nobody gives a shit about him.

He's rich but he ain't Oprah rich.

[peewee's lovechild]

Who cares? Alex Rodriguez makes I don't know how many millions a year and nobody gives a shit about him.

Millions of Yankee fans are calling you a stupid ass right now.

[monosylab1k]

I'm actually pretty shocked nobody has mentioned Jesus yet.

[DAF86]

http://ezinearticles.com/?The-Best-Soccer-Player-in-the-World&id=1338491

Pele of Brazil is the best soccer player in the world, though the world has come to know some of the other greats of the game. To play like the way he did is the dream of the millions and millions of soccer followers.

Soccer is one of the few sports which can attract huge number viewers. The world has been enjoying the thrills of the game played by the thousands of soccer athletes from various countries.

Aside from Pele, there have been a lot of soccer legends who came to entertain the world. Ronaldo, David Beckham, and Diego Maradona are some of the greats who through the years have been hailed as soccer legends. Their notable performance on the field made them an inspiration to a lot of soccer enthusiasts. They are considered the symbols of the sport.

To be the best soccer player in the world requires a lot of effort, patience, and good game attitude. Soccer is not an easy game to play and takes a great deal of practice, a whole bunch of training and serious hard work. It takes a good deal of endurance to stick with your training regimen and to be more determined when things get tougher. Conditioned body and mind therefore is required to hone specific soccer skills.

Pele became a soccer god because he deserved it. He studied and mastered the game for many years. He experienced all the pain and failure that a typical football player goes through. But he never gave up. Instead, he worked his way to become the greatest soccer athlete of all time.

Again one person's opinion against 54% of the soccer fans. You said I was BS, I give you unbiased proof that he is the most popular soccer player in the history of the game. Now that's not enough for you, I don't know what else do you want me to say. Think what you want and have a good night. :toast

[DAF86]

Millions of Yankee fans are calling you a stupid ass right now.

I didn't feel like saying "outside the US" for a thousand time.

[peewee's lovechild]

Again one person's opinion against 54% of the soccer fans. You said I was BS, I give you unbiased proof that he is the most popular soccer player in the history of the game. Now that's not enough for you, I don't know what else do you want me to say. Think what you want and have a good night. :toast

It's interesting that FIFA doesn't even have Maradonna's profile showcased when you click on FIFA Player Statistics. However, you can easily see how they showcase Pele, Ronaldo, and Thierry Henry.

You would think that the most popular soccer player in the world, according to your so called FIFA poll, would have his profile showcased. But, how sad . . . it isn't.

Here's the link:

http://www.fifa.com/worldfootball/statisticsandrecords/players/index.html

[monosylab1k]

I didn't feel like saying "outside the US" for a thousand time.

baseball is an international sport. And Alex Rodriguez isn't American. dumbass.

[peewee's lovechild]

I didn't feel like saying "outside the US" for a thousand time.

The rest of the world doesn't watch MLB games?

Yea, it's only a U.S.A. thing.

Pendejo.

[mardigan]

Please, don't you realize how selfcentered and obnoxious some of you guys are beign? You think that everything that happens in the US are the only things that matter in the world. I'd love for Maradona not to be Argentine (or me) so you don't think I'm beign BS. I'm giving you facts: Soccer is the most popular sport in the world, Maradona is the most popular soccer player, nobody cares about the NFL and the MLB outside NA, nobody knows Oprah outside the US, etc. If you can't accept that, well I'm sorry. I think that the ones that are butthurt are the ones realizing that they aren't as important as they think they are.

I dont see anyone trying to name MLB or NFL players. I can't possible believe that any soccer player in the world is anywhere near as recognized as Yao. Being the most popular celebrity in China, not to mention having huge notoriety in the US, Europe, and I'm sure many other places in Asia has got to count for something. We are talking numbers here, and those first two places by themselves take up a lot of the world's population.

[DAF86]

It's interesting that FIFA doesn't even have Maradonna's profile showcased when you click on FIFA Player Statistics. However, you can easily see how they showcase Pele, Ronaldo, and Thierry Henry.

You would think that the most popular soccer player in the world, according to your so called FIFA poll, would have his profile showcased. But, how sad . . . it isn't.

Here's the link:

http://www.fifa.com/worldfootball/statisticsandrecords/players/index.html


Please take into consideration that Pele works for FIFA while Maradona has said: "fuck off" to all FIFA members many times.

[DAF86]

I dont see anyone trying to name MLB or NFL players. I can't possible believe that any soccer player in the world is anywhere near as recognized as Yao. Being the most popular celebrity in China, not to mention having huge notoriety in the US, Europe, and I'm sure many other places in Asia has got to count for something. We are talking numbers here, and those first two places by themselves take up a lot of the world's population.

See the comment I quoted to make that comment.

[DAF86]

baseball is an international sport. And Alex Rodriguez isn't American. dumbass.

North and Center America, some countries of ASIA and nothing more.

And now that you don't need him for the US baseball team he isn't American?

[DAF86]

And now that you don't need him for the US baseball team he isn't American?

Besides nobody said he was, even though he was born there.

[peewee's lovechild]

According to the Association of Football Statisticians, Pele is #1.

Sadly, for all of Argentina, Maradonna is #6.

http://www.mcalcio.com/top-100-soccer-players-ever-by-the-association-of-football-statisticians/

[monosylab1k]

And now that you don't need him for the US baseball team he isn't American?

He was never going to play for Team USA moron. He was going to play for the DR.

[peewee's lovechild]

Please take into consideration that Pele works for FIFA while Maradona has said: "fuck off" to all FIFA members many times.

Now it's a Pele conspiracy?

The black man is trying to keep Maradonna down?

You're a fucking idiot.

[peewee's lovechild]

These people think Pele is #1 too:

http://www.the-top-tens.com/lists/greatest-soccer-players-of-all-time.asp

[peewee's lovechild]

Wow, that Maradonn fellow sure is popular.

[DAF86]

According to the Association of Football Statisticians, Pele is #1.

Sadly, for all of Argentina, Maradonna is #6.

http://www.mcalcio.com/top-100-soccer-players-ever-by-the-association-of-football-statisticians/

Acording to fans Maradona is number one and that's what we're discusing here.

Besides if you go by stats Chamberlain or Jabbar would be the number one player in the history of basketball.

[peewee's lovechild]

Nope, he didn't make the cut here either:

http://www.soccerticketsonline.com/top-5-soccer-players-of-all-time/

[peewee's lovechild]

Acording to fans Maradona is number one and that's what we're discusing here.


This is what you're not understanding, my idiotic friend . . . the sites that I've been posting are run by fans. And, in all the sites I have posted, after doing a search for "the greatest soccer player of all time", have listed Pele as being #1.

So, you yourself stated that fans decide. And, they have decided, overwhelmingly, that Pele is #1.

Thanks for playing.




Besides if you go by stats Chamberlain or Jabbar would be the number one player in the history of basketball.


They are certainly in the debate for the greatest player in basketball history.

[DAF86]

Now it's a Pele conspiracy?

The black man is trying to keep Maradonna down?

You're a fucking idiot.

OMG how can you argue so much about something you know nothing about? keep bringing all the shitty polls you want (for every poll that you get I can get a houndred, including the official one) and keep arguing about things you have never heard before this day. I'd let the rest figure out who the idiot is.

[peewee's lovechild]

OMG how can you argue so much about something you know nothing about? keep bringing all the shitty polls you want (for every poll that you get I can get a houndred, including the official one) and keep arguing about things you have never heard before this day. I'd let the rest figure out who the idiot is.

I don't know anything about it?

Pendejo, I'm older than you and I was raised in the most southern part of Texas. I was raised watching soccer games before you were sperm in your bastard father's sack.

Pele has always been popular and more popular than Maradonna. I have no qualms saying this because I'm not from Argentina and I don't get sand stuck in my vagina when people point out that Maradonna is not the most beloved soccer figure in the world.

Pele was a god when I was a kid. Fuck, everytime I would visit relatives in Mexico they would be running around in Pele jerseys kicking soccer balls with Pele's name on it.

All the fucking kids emulated that mother fucker. The same can not be said about your cocaine loving Mardonna.

You're biased and that's all there is to it. Admit it, you stupid shit.

If I was biased I'd say that Hugo Chavez was the greatest soccer player in the world and that he could run circles around Maradonna and Pele. And, he probably could but he didn't have the supporting cast that Maradonna and Pele had.

Face it, Maradonna isn't who you thought he was.

[DAF86]

I don't know anything about it?

Pendejo, I'm older than you and I was raised in the most southern part of Texas. I was raised watching soccer games before you were sperm in your bastard father's sack.

Pele has always been popular and more popular than Maradonna. I have no qualms saying this because I'm not from Argentina and I don't get sand stuck in my vagina when people point out that Maradonna is not the most beloved soccer figure in the world.

Pele was a god when I was a kid. Fuck, everytime I would visit relatives in Mexico they would be running around in Pele jerseys kicking soccer balls with Pele's name on it.

All the fucking kids emulated that mother fucker. The same can not be said about your cocaine loving Mardonna.

You're biased and that's all there is to it. Admit it, you stupid shit.

If I was biased I'd say that Hugo Chavez was the greatest soccer player in the world and that he could run circles around Maradonna and Pele. And, he probably could but he didn't have the supporting cast that Maradonna and Pele had.

Face it, Maradonna isn't who you thought he was.


let's get some ST posters from Europe, with no ties to Argentina whatsoever, to tell us if Maradonna is indeed as popular as you say he is.

I hope Slomo or that Poland dude can shed some light on this for us.

If you know about it, why do you look for others to tell you if Maradona is big or not?

I'm tired so let's say that yes, Pele is bigger than Maradona. Maradona would still be the second best player in the history of Soccer, that would still make him one of the biggest celebrities in the world, way ahead of Oprah.

P/S: If you pretend to know about Maradona at least spell his name correctly.

[peewee's lovechild]

If you know about it, why do you look for others to tell you if Maradona is big or not?

I'm tired so let's say that yes, Pele is bigger than Maradona. Maradona would still be the second best player in the history of Soccer that would still make him one of the biggest celebrities in the world, way ahead of Oprah.

P/S: If you pretend to know about Maradona at least spell his name correctly.

I don't give a rat's ass about that bloated bitch Oprah. Who the fuck cares about that stupid bitch?

She's not the world's biggest celebrity, not by a long shot.

As I've stated clearly before, it's either Micheal Jackson or Paul McCartney. I would say it's Micheal Jackson.

However, I know that it's not Maradonna for sure. If only because you just admitted that Pele is the greatest soccer player in the world. So, Pele would have to come before him.

Oh, and . . .

P.S. If you didn't know that I was being sarcastic by spelling Maradona's name as "Maradonna" (you know, as in Madonna), then you are far stupider than I thought you were.

[peewee's lovechild]

If you know about it, why do you look for others to tell you if Maradona is big or not?

Because, idiot, so I can show you that it's not an "American" bias telling you that Maradonna isn't the greatest soccer player in the world.

But, I've already posted many sites proving that.

So, it's a moot point now.

[Dr. Gonzo]

This thread got annoying.

[DAF86]

Because, idiot, so I can show you that it's not an "American" bias telling you that Maradonna isn't the greatest soccer player in the world.

But, I've already posted many sites proving that.

So, it's a moot point now.

:sleep Oh, what the hell...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I6yRRMtYky4&feature=related

http://www.facebook.com/topic.php?uid=24626375382&topic=5068

http://www.bestandworst.com/r/901.htm

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/6784-pel-or-diego-maradona-who-is-the-greatest-soccer-player-of-all-time

http://es.truveo.com/Maradona-Greatest-player-of-all-time/id/3797672097

http://www.nerazzuri.co.cc/2009/02/top-ten-best-football-players-all-time.html

Tell me if you want more.

[peewee's lovechild]

:sleep Oh, what the hell...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I6yRRMtYky4&feature=related

http://www.facebook.com/topic.php?uid=24626375382&topic=5068

http://www.bestandworst.com/r/901.htm

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/6784-pel-or-diego-maradona-who-is-the-greatest-soccer-player-of-all-time

http://es.truveo.com/Maradona-Greatest-player-of-all-time/id/3797672097

http://www.nerazzuri.co.cc/2009/02/top-ten-best-football-players-all-time.html

Tell me if you want more.



Do you want me to post more sites (not facebook or youtube, but fan oriented and fan created sites) where they claim that Pele was #1?

I only stopped because I was bored of copying and pasting so much and you have already admitted that Pele was greater than Maradonna.

But, I'll keep it up if you want me to.

[David Bowie]

I'm not sure which world series it was, but didn't MAradona score an illigal goal by using his hand and the refaree just let it go, threfore giving Argentina the win?

[peewee's lovechild]

I'm not sure which world series it was, but didn't MAradona score an illigal goal by using his hand and the refaree just let it go, threfore giving Argentina the win?

Yes.

[DAF86]

Do you want me to post more sites (not facebook or youtube, but fan oriented and fan created sites) where they claim that Pele was #1?

I only stopped because I was bored of copying and pasting so much and you have already admitted that Pele was greater than Maradonna.

But, I'll keep it up if you want me to.

I put those youtube and facebook sites to mix it up a little bit, but I posted of the other type too, didn't you see it?
This is ridiculous you could post a million more sites and I could post a billion. I just wanted to prove how ridiculous is to do that, if you didn't get it then it's not my problem. I have to go to sleep, good night.

[peewee's lovechild]

I put those youtube and facebook sites to mix it up a little bit, but I posted of the other type too, didn't you see it?
This is ridiculous you could post a million more sites and I could post a billion. I just wanted to prove how ridiculous is to do that, if you didn't get it then it's not my problem. I have to go to sleep, good night.

But, but . . . you said that the world overwhelmingly loves Maradonna.

Well, it doesn't matter anyway, you've already admitted that Pele was the greater of the two.

[Don Quixote]

I was not aware that Oprah was not a worldwide phenomenon. I just thought she had the entire female portion of our population enraptured. And I think she has something to do with this computer virus that's about to phone home on April 1.

The French have this thing for Jerry Lewis. I know, weird.

[whottt]

I don't think Michael Jackson fits the bill...his records don't sell shit anymore. As far as recognizability he probably rates high, but he's not near as popular as he was in his heyday, neither is Jordan.

I seriously hope it's not Oprah.


If you are talking non-politicians I would say it probably is someone like David Beckham or Yao....Entertainers? Probably Britney Spears.

[Don Quixote]

Britney is huge in Asia. As are pretty much all our rappers.

[DarkReign]

Sounds like Yao might be the proper pick when you think about it.

Hes HUGE in Asia, which comprises like 1/3 of the world's population. Hes huge in the USA and Europe, maybe even South America too.

Looks like Yao. Second Jacko.

[Cane]

Do you know that Soccer, as you say, is the most popular sport in the world, right? And that the Soccer world cup is the sport event (actually any kind of event) that moves more people in the whole world (even more than the olympics)?

And that outside northamerica nobody gives a rat's ass about the superbowl, the world series, the Bradys, the A-Rods and all the other steroid abusers that play in the NFL and the MLB?

People in Asia love baseball. I never understood it but baseball is huge over there and whenever the US teams visit the east they are welcomed from a huge fanbase. Football I'll agree to an extent, but you'll be surprised how many people follow the NFL across the globe.

Have you only lived in fucking Argentina all your life? I've travelled and lived worldwide and across the states so I have a world perspective and know just how far-reaching the US of A's industries are. Washed-up American celebrities and sports players land overpaid contracts solely for being an American celebrity in the past overseas. There's a reason why everyone drinks Coke or Pepsi while listening to songs made by artists that have topped the charts in America while wearing clothes made cool by Americans.

As ethnocentric as it sounds, the world is run by greedy Americans. To suggest otherwise is naive, we really are like the new Roman Empire except its an empire built upon business. Because America doens't give a damn about soccer, soccer stars will never get the recognition that ones supported by Americans recieve. Even though its the most popular sport; its divided up into as many leagues and tournaments as there are countries in the world and then some; the fans are pretty segmented and usually blindly follow their countrymen.

[leo_d]

Sounds like Yao might be the proper pick when you think about it.

Hes HUGE in Asia, which comprises like 1/3 of the world's population. Hes huge in the USA and Europe, maybe even South America too.

Looks like Yao. Second Jacko.

I think Yao needs to be an important part of a title win before he is considered the "biggest" celebrity in the world (not literally). Now he is a celebrity but i don`t think he cualifies as a legend like Jagger, Jackson or Jordan.

[smeagol]

Peeweee Herman.

That guys is very well known and very much loved in Eastern Europe and in Mongolia . . .

[DarkReign]

Peeweee Herman.

That guys is very well known and very much loved in Eastern Europe and in Mongolia . . .

Alright, enough bullshit. We get it, soccer/football is huge everywhere in the world except America. Ive never argued that.

But I can bet dollars to donuts that Yao Ming is way more well known in the Asian world than Madonna (whatever).

By that fact alone, Yao wins if it was between Malogna and Yao. The Asian world's population > South America and Europe. It isnt even close.

[sa_butta]

I chose Michael Jackson, just because he is recognized everywhere and he has been for so long.

[Thunder Dan]

After today I have to change my vote to Michael Jackson.... when in one of my arguments on here I talked about the news coverage if one of them died. They are showing this ceremony on network tv like they do for Presidents. I can't imagine them doing this for anyone else on this list except maybe McCartney if he dies after Ringo

[lebomb]

After today I have to change my vote to Michael Jackson.... when in one of my arguments on here I talked about the news coverage if one of them died. They are showing this ceremony on network tv like they do for Presidents. I can't imagine them doing this for anyone else on this list except maybe McCartney if he dies after Ringo


Too late, MJackson is no longer living.

[ballhog]

I would think Paul McCartney. I mean, he was a founder of the Beatles and the most prolific songwriter ever. What the hell has Oprah done?

[Xolotl]

I would think Paul McCartney. I mean, he was a founder of the Beatles and the most prolific songwriter ever. What the hell has Oprah done?

Didn't she open a school in Africa where the girls got molested??

[pppp]

1. Michael Jackson (by far. NOt "technically" living but still...)
2. Madonna
3. Maradona
4. Beckam (maybe), huge in Asia

Yao is not big in Europe at all.
Mc Cartney, meh, too old.

I'm not from argentina ou even south america. I'm from Europe and US citizen can't begin to imagine how big Diego is around the world ...fucking legend, for his game and all his cocaine related "heroics"...
Football is #1 sport in the world and Maradona its most recognizable player (Pele is too old). I've been in some remote places in Africa and Diego is the shit even there...

[balli]

You could be the single most recognizable face in Ghana, Rome, Paris and Sao Paulo, but I hate to break it to you, if nobody in America gives half a fuck about you, you aren't even close to being one of the world's biggest living celebrities. Sorry soccer fan.

[Thunder Dan]

they showed Jackson's funeral on network tv, not just CNN and Fox News, but FOX, NBC, ABC, AND CBS themselves- like they do for Presidents. That would never happen with a soccer star, never.

[QuattroElite]

Me.

[pppp]

You could be the single most recognizable face in Ghana, Rome, Paris and Sao Paulo, but I hate to break it to you, if nobody in America gives half a fuck about you, you aren't even close to being one of the world's biggest living celebrities. Sorry soccer fan.
Why?
US = 300 mil people
World = 6 billion people, US represents only 5% (even if it's true US culture is the most exported and influencial)

And I'm not particulary a 'football' fan