Manny Pacquiao, Brock Lesnar and The 20 Most Popular Athletes Worldwide

The most popular athletes in the world are all loved by millions of people, but they're often hated by just as many.

Even with all the adoration from their legions of followers, they have to deal with the discrimination and hostility that comes along with it.

It doesn't take much to switch from most beloved to most hated either. It can often be an overnight occurrence. Just ask LeBron James.

Still, while every athlete on the face of the planet has his fair share of haters, there are some athletes who will always be a favorite among fans across the world.

But which athletes are the most popular in America, Asia and everywhere else north or south of the equator?

Here are my rankings of the 20 most popular athletes on Earth!

20. Drew Brees

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WASHINGTON - AUGUST 09: U.S. President Barack Obama (R) poses for photograph with New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees (L) and team owner and Executive Vice President Rita Benson LeBlanc during a reception for the 2010 National Football League Super

Ever since Drew Brees led the once-lowly Saints to the Super Bowl last season, his popularity has skyrocketed in the eye of the public.

Take this from a guy who lives in New Orleans. Very few athletes have had the impact on a community, a city and an entire state like Brees has had on New Orleans.

Before last season, he probably wouldn't have come close to this list, but his Super Bowl win has really brought Brees into the spotlight.

19. Wayne Rooney

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MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 14: Wayne Rooney of Manchester United in action during the UEFA Champions League Group C match between Manchester United and Rangers at Old Trafford on September 14, 2010 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Alex Livesey/Get

Wayne Rooney may have lost himself a few fans when he recently pulled a U-turn and resigned with Manchester United.

But Rooney is still one of the greatest soccer players on the planet, trailing only a few guys in his respective sport.

And we know by now that sports fans generally care about an athlete's play on the field more than they care about any conflicts he might have off it.

18. LeBron James

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ATLANTA - OCTOBER 21: LeBron James #6 of the Miami Heat walks up the court during the game against the Atlanta Hawks at Philips Arena on October 21, 2010 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

Cleveland Cavalier fans are probably leaning to the side and throwing up as they read this.

In their eyes, LeBron is about as popular as Steve Bartman is in Chicago.

But even though LeBron crapped all over his city in an hour-long TV spectacle, he is still one of the most popular athletes in the world, especially in China where he generally ranks only behind Kobe and Yao in terms of popularity.

Like it or not, it's hard for a guy as popular as LeBron to fall that far.

17. Brock Lesnar

The Brock Lesnar haters might be out in full force following his loss at UFC 121 on Saturday, but he has been the biggest draw in the UFC and MMA in general since he joined the UFC just a few short years ago.

His time in the WWE already gave Lesnar a formidable fan base upon his arrival in the UFC, but the guy's popularity has grown exponentially in a relatively short span.

He's had just seven career UFC fights, but two of those fights are among the highest drawing pay-per-views in company history.

Even after his loss to Cain Velasquez, Lesnar is still the face of UFC.

16. Derek Jeter

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ARLINGTON, TX - OCTOBER 22: Derek Jeter #2 of the New York Yankees looks on during batting practice against the Texas Rangers in Game Six of the ALCS during the 2010 MLB Playoffs at Rangers Ballpark in Arlington on October 22, 2010 in Arlington, Texas.

Derek Jeter isn't liked anywhere in Boston, but there's no denying that Jeter is the face of one of sports' greatest franchises: the New York Yankees.

I'm not going to go into detail about all his accomplishments—I'm a Red Sox fan—but let's just say that Jeter's popular enough to get Minka Kelly.

You seriously think that would have happened if he wasn't a Yankee?

15. Brett Favre

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EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - OCTOBER 11: A detail of a Breast Cancer awareness ribbon is seen on the hat worn by Brett Favre #4 of the Minnesota Vikings against the New York Jets at New Meadowlands Stadium on October 11, 2010 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (P

Based on some of the American stars on this list, it appears that our country is almost as forgiving as the Lord and Savior himself.

Brett Favre didn't technically cheat on his wife, but he "elecheated"—I made up that word, and it means electronically cheated—on a breast cancer survivor.

He also hogged the spotlight more than a star on Broadway and un-retired more times than I care to count.

Favre can basically do anything he wants, and it doesn't matter. He's bulletproof.  

14. Venus and Serena Williams

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LONDON, ENGLAND - JUNE 30: Serena Williams (L) and Venus Williams of USA in action during their Quarter Final doubles match against Elena Vesnina and Vera Zvonareva of Russia on Day Nine of the Wimbledon Lawn Tennis Championships at the All England Lawn

Ladies, I didn't want you to think I was sexist by not having any female athletes on this list.

But I think it's pretty clear that Venus and Serena Williams are not only the most popular female tennis players, but the most well-known female athletes in general.

They're about as accomplished as any set of siblings in sports history.

13. Peyton Manning

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LANDOVER, MD - OCTOBER 17: Quarterback Peyton Manning #18 of the Indianapolis Colts throws a pass against the Washington Redskins at FedExField on October 17, 2010 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Win McNamee/Getty Images)

Peyton Manning might very well be the most popular athlete in American sports, but American football isn't renowned globally like that other football.

Manning has done it all on the field: he's won a Super Bowl, he's been to another and he's a four-time NFL MVP. 

Plus, the guy might as well list his first profession as "actor" because he's done a ridiculous amount of commercials, and his appearance on Saturday Night Live was golden.

America loves that guy. I'm just not sure the world knows him well enough.

12. Lionel Messi

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ZARAGOZA, SPAIN - OCTOBER 23: Lionel Messi of Barcelona looks on during the La Liga match between Real Zaragoza and Barcelona at La Romareda on October 23, 2010 in Zaragoza, Spain. Barcelona won the match 2-0. (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images)

You'll notice at the end of this list that are quite a few soccer players on here, and there's a reason for that.

Unlike American football, soccer is played in pretty much every little corner and crevice of the planet. It truly is the world's most global sport.

And Lionel Messi is the 2009 FIFA Player of the Year and the best soccer player currently playing the sport.

11. Yao Ming

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LOS ANGELES, CA - MAY 06: Yao Ming #11 of the Houston Rockets reacts to a foul called on him in the second quarter against the Los Angeles Lakers in Game Two of the Western Conference Semifinals during the 2009 NBA Playoffs at Staples Center on May 6, 20

The NBA really hit the jackpot when the 7-foot-6-inch Yao Ming was drafted with the No. 1 overall pick in 2002.

Instantly, Yao—who was unlike any athlete this country has ever seen—opened the door to the Chinese market for the NBA, and his popularity has only expanded the popularity of other guys like LeBron James and Kobe Bryant.

As long as Yao didn't suck terribly at basketball, he was going to be the biggest sports star in his country.

And even with all the injuries, he's still had a pretty good career, and he'll continue to be incredibly popular across the planet.

10. Manny Pacquiao

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NEW YORK - JUNE 05: Professional boxer Manny Pacquiao watches the bout between Yuri Foreman and Miguel Cotto of Puerto Rico in the WBA world super welterweight title fight on June 5, 2010 at Yankee Stadium in the Bronx borough of New York City. Cotto win

Being the best pound-for-pound boxer in the world still has its advantages, even if the sport itself has been overtaken in popularity by MMA.

Manny Pacquiao is one of the only boxers on the planet that can still generate more than a million pay-per-views buys in a time when the sport of boxing seems to have a rapidly diminishing following.

Plus, it helps that the biggest challenger to his title as the world's most popular boxer—Floyd Mayweather—hasn't endeared himself to fans with his recent racist rants.

Pacquiao truly is the king of boxing.

9. Rafael Nadal

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SHANGHAI, CHINA - OCTOBER 14: Rafael Nadal of Spain celebrates a point against Jurgen Melzer of Austria during day four of the 2010 Shanghai Rolex Masters at the Shanghai Qi Zhong Tennis Center on October 13, 2010 in Shanghai, China. (Photo by Matthew S

Rafael Nadal—along with Roger Federer—has given tennis fans one of the great rivalries in the sport's history.

Nadal is currently the No. 1 player in the world, and at just 24 years old, he's already widely regarded as the best clay-court player ever.

He's already completed the career Grand Slam, and he still has a ways to go.

Given the worldwide popularity of tennis and the fact that the major tournaments are played in numerous different countries, Nadal's popularity isn't going away anytime soon.

8. Kobe Bryant

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LAS VEGAS - OCTOBER 13: Kobe Bryant #24 of the Los Angeles Lakers stands on the court during a preseason game against the Sacramento Kings at the Thomas & Mack Center October 13, 2010 in Las Vegas, Nevada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and ag

There's not one person I know who is indifferent toward Kobe Bryant.

You either despise Kobe to the depths of your soul, or you love him.

And although his popularity took a slight hit in 2003 when sexual assault allegations surfaced, that has all been forgotten by now.

Kobe is clearly one of the most beloved athletes in the world.

Kobe is now a five-time NBA champion, he's consistently the leader in in jersey sales in China and he doesn't look so bad to NBA fans now that Dwayne Wade and LeBron James have teamed up in Miami.

7. David Beckham

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CARSON, CA - OCTOBER 03: David Beckham #23 of the Los Angeles Galaxy follows through on his cross in the first half during the MLS match against Chivas USA at The Home Depot Center on October 3, 2010 in Carson, California. The Galaxy defeated Chivas USA

I don't really watch much soccer unless it's time for the World Cup, but I'm pretty sure that David Beckham is well past his prime.

Yet, somehow the MLS thought the guy was popular enough for the Los Angeles Galaxy to pay him $250 million for a five-year deal.

They have to be right.

6. Michael Phelps

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IRVINE, CA - AUGUST 21: Michael Phelps swims the butterfly leg of the 4X100m medley relay during the Mutual of Omaha Pan Pacific Championships at the William Woollett Jr. Aquatic Center on August 21, 2010 in Irvine, California. (Photo by Stephen Dunn/Ge

Michael Phelps exploded onto the sports scene in the 2004 Olympics when he won eight medals, including six golds.

He then followed that up with eight gold medals at the 2008 Olympics in Beijing, solidifying his spot as the most accomplished swimmer in Olympic history.

Oh yeah, he's still just 25 years old. He's not done yet.

Plus, Phelps isn't afraid to hit the bong every once in a while, so he's endeared himself to marijuana smokers everywhere.

5. Cristiano Ronaldo

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MADRID, SPAIN - OCTOBER 23: Cristiano Ronaldo of Real Madrid celebrates after scoring Real's 5th goal during the La Liga match between Real Madrid and Racing Santander at Estadio Santiago Bernabeu on October 23, 2010 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by Denis Do

Cristiano Ronaldo was the 2008 FIFA Player of the Year, and is one of the best soccer players on the planet.

He's not as popular here in America because soccer takes a backseat to at least three or four other major sports—and he doesn't play here—but his global popularity can't be denied.

I mean, Ronaldo is popular enough to be the world's ultimate WAG hunter. He's slain more WAGs than is reasonably acceptable.

4. Roger Federer

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SHANGHAI, CHINA - OCTOBER 16: Roger Federer of Switzerland acknowledges the crowd after his win over Novak Djokovic of Serbia during day six of the 2010 Shanghai Rolex Masters at the Shanghai Qi Zhong Tennis Center on October 16, 2010 in Shanghai, China.

Roger Federer is arguably the greatest tennis player in history.

He was ranked No. 1 in the world for a record 235 consecutive weeks and has won a male record 16 Grand Slam titles.

He is one of only seven male players to capture the career Grand Slam, and he was named the Laureus World Sportsman of the Year for four consecutive years between 2005 and 2008.

There's been no one in tennis quite like Roger Federer.

3. Michael Jordan

Michael Jordan is the greatest basketball player in NBA history, and he's probably the first professional athlete in history who was known across the globe.

Jordan's had so many endorsements that it's hard to even keep track of them all, and his silhouette is the symbol of one of the most popular brands in athletic apparel. 

He truly opened the gates for athletes that followed to become global brands.

2. Usain Bolt

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DAEGU, SOUTH KOREA - MAY 19: Usain Bolt of Jamaica celebrates after crossing the finish line of the men's 100 metres during the Colorful Daegu Pre-Championships Meeting 2010 at Daegu Stadium on May 19, 2010 in Daegu, South Korea. Bolt won the race at 9.8

Usain Bolt is not only the fastest man on Earth, he's the fastest man ever.

From the time this planet was formed as a result of the Big Bang—or whatever theory it is that you believe—no one has ever been clocked running as fast as Usain Bolt.

I think his superhuman speed combined with the fact that he has one of the greatest names in sports makes his popularity among sports fans nearly unrivaled.

1. Tiger Woods

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NEWPORT, WALES - OCTOBER 04: Tiger Woods of the USA hits a shot on the first hole in the singles matches during the 2010 Ryder Cup at the Celtic Manor Resort on October 4, 2010 in Newport, Wales. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)

Tiger Woods' stock with the general public has plummeted since allegations of his infidelities surfaced late in 2009.

But his popularity was so ridiculously high that even after all that, he still ranked as the most popular athlete in America in a Harris Interactive poll conducted in July.

If Woods can cheat on wife with more than a dozen women and still be adored by fans across the country, there's not much he could do that would drop him down this list.