Kaká makes ESPN ‘World Fame 100’

injuries the past two seasons dulled his on-field impact with Orlando City but not his worldwide fame.

The Brazilian soccer star ranked 18th on ESPN’s 2017 World Fame 100, a list of “the most famous athletes on the planet” that was topped by followed by and

A total of 38 soccer players made the list, more than any other sport.

Kaká is the highest-paid player in MLS with a $7.167 million salary. He also rakes in $5.5 million in endorsements, according to ESPN, and is one of the most followed athletes on social media.

A player’s fame and ranking is determined through multiple criteria, including Forbes’ annual list of highestpaid athletes, input from journalists worldwide and a formula created by ESPN director of sports analytics

that weighs athletes’ endorsements, their following on social media and Google search popularity.

Two of the biggest Major League Soccer stories of the year so far resulted in names on the list. The U.S. soccer circuit buzzed when German World Cup champion

joined the Chicago Fire. He came in at No. 68.

Ivory Coast superstar who played for the Montreal Impact last year, made waves when he signed with second-tier USL team Phoenix Rising FC, receiving equity in the club as it pushes for an MLS bid.