In the vast world of cricket, Virat Kohli’s name stands as a household one. As Google, the search engine giant, unveiled its list of the most sought-after topics in its 25-year history, Kohli claimed the top spot among cricketers. Over the years, Google has witnessed searches for cricketing legends like Sachin Tendulkar, MS Dhoni, and Rohit Sharma, among others, but it’s Kohli who emerged as the ‘most searched cricketer’ in Google’s records.
Google released a video on the social media platform X highlighting the most searched moments in history. “If the last 25 years have taught us anything, the next 25 will change everything. Here’s to the most searched moments of all time. #YearInSearch,” reads the caption.
If the last 25 years have taught us anything, the next 25 will change everything. Here’s to the most searched moments of all time. #YearInSearch pic.twitter.com/MdrXC4ILtr
— Google (@Google) December 11, 2023
However, while Kohli led the cricketing searches, he didn’t secure the pinnacle spot as the most searched athlete. That honour belonged to Cristiano Ronaldo, the revered figure from Real Madrid and Manchester United, who continues to shine at Al-Nassr in Saudi Arabia at the age of 38. In the 3-minute-48-second-long video, Los Angeles Lakers icon LeBron James is showcased just ahead of Kohli. The former India captain is depicted hitting a six over cow corner to reach his century while batting for Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) against Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2023.
Among the athletes highlighted in Google’s ‘Most Searched Moments of All Time’ in the past 25 years are Tottenham Hotspur and South Korea captain Son Heung-min, tennis legend Billie Jean King, eight-time Olympic gold medalist Usain Bolt, Serena Williams, Venus Williams, and 2023 US Open champion Coco Gauff. Notably, Lionel Messi is conspicuously absent from the featured video.
Ronaldo’s enduring popularity even surpassed that of his long-standing rival Lionel Messi. These two luminaries have dominated football for about 15 years, their rivalry etching an indelible mark on the sport.
Interestingly, Kohli’s admiration leans more towards Ronaldo than Messi. In various interviews, the Indian cricket luminary expressed his deep admiration for the Portuguese football maestro.
Kohli once conveyed on Instagram, “No trophy or any title can take anything away from what you’ve done in this sport and for sports fans around the world,” praising Ronaldo.
As for the “most searched sport,” football proudly claimed the top spot on Google’s charts.