Cristiano Ronaldo tops ESPN's annual World Fame 100 for fourth straight year

Juventus' Cristiano Ronaldo. Photo / AP

Cristiano Ronaldo is once again the biggest name in sports, according to an ESPN ranking list.

ESPN's annual World Fame 100 lists the biggest sporting names based on search score, endorsements and social following.

The Juventus star topped the list for the fourth straight year beating out NBA player LeBron James and Barcelona rival Lionel Messi.

No New Zealanders made the list with golfer Lydia Ko previously ranked 81st in the 2016 edition.

Ronaldo tops the list in the social followers with 344.3m, well ahead of fellow footballer Neymar with 208.9m. Messi is next with 191.7m, almost double fourth-placed James with 109.9m.

James is however paid the most in endorsements, topping US$52m in the last year.

Stephen Curry and Tiger Woods both sit in second on the endorsements list with $42m, just ahead of Roger Federer at $41.5m.

Only three women made the list with Serena Williams the highest ranked in 17th position, ahead of fellow tennis stars Maria Sharapova (37th) and Sania Mirza (93rd).

ESPN's World Fame 100 full list