Ronaldo, Messi, and Haaland Make History in TIME's 100 Most Influential People List

Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi, and Erling Haaland have made history by entering the TIME 100 list of the most influential people worldwide. This marks the first time TIME has released a list specifically for athletes. Previously, they announced individuals such as politicians, celebrities, entrepreneurs, and athletes as iconic figures.

Cristiano Ronaldo, a Portuguese football star, is listed under the Titans category. This suggests that he has played a significant role in the sports industry as a whole. Similarly, Erling Haaland, also listed under the Titans category as the Manchester City striker, is known for appearing in numerous international advertisements.

Lionel Messi, on the other hand, is included in the Icons category. He is considered an influential figure in popular culture and social trends. In the same category as Messi are NBA stars such as LeBron James, and Aitana Bonmati, a player for the Spanish women's national team.

Of the numerous athletes included in the list, 22 are from the United States, and nine are from Asia, representing seven different countries. The only Southeast Asian representative in the TIME 100 is Thailand's Jeeno Thitikul, a professional golfer.