It was only a matter of time, yes, just a matter of time before Lionel Messi became the most popular athlete in the United States, surpassing great stars like Michael Jordan and Tom Brady.

Now, after some time in Miami, Messi has become the most popular athlete for Americans according to a survey conducted by the Social Science Research Solutions (SSRS) group. Additionally, the Argentine star is the first footballer to top the list in the thirty-year history of this research.

Moreover, the "Men In Blazers" website shared a post where graphics confirming the Argentine's popularity and the love Americans have for him can be seen. An analysis placing the Argentine star above Michael Jordan, who has been the historical leader of the survey from 1995 to 2006.

But it wasn't just Jordan whom he surpassed; he also outshone the GOAT, Tom Brady, Peyton Manning, Tiger Woods, Kobe Bryant, Stephen Curry, and LeBron James. Quite a list, isn't it? To conclude, the survey revealed, "We had been tracking his rise as a favorite athlete over the past decade, but the combination of a World Cup victory and the move to the United States helped propel him to the top for the first time."