re: In what sport would you want to be the GOAT?

I think you underestimate the populations of asia and north america compared to Europe and South America

Basketball is more popular in NA and Asia, and still very popular in Europe. You're assuming that because soccer is a global sport that Messi and Ronaldo are more recognizable to a larger population. China and America are two of the three most populated countries on the planet, and lebron is 10x more recognizable than any soccer player in those markets.

Soccer is a global game, yes. So is basketball. Basketball is just more popular in the most populous countries. Not to mention Asians crave american media, not Spanish media.

If you polled a village in the Uruguayan countryside, yes Messi would be more recognizable. If you polled an outpost in Luxembourg, yes Ronaldo would be more recognizable. If you showed everyone on the planet a picture of Lebron and a picture of Messi, more people would recognize Lebron. Don't be a dumbass. Maybe 5% of Americans would recognize Messi if we're being generous.

More people live in the US than England, Spain, France, Italy, Germany, and Portugal combined. That's not even factoring in China.