The year 2023 witnessed athletic feats that defied gravity, buzzer-beaters that sent shivers down spines, and comebacks that redefined resilience. But beyond the roar of the stadiums and the flash of the cameras, another arena played host to a different kind of competition: the battle for online supremacy on Google Trends. So, who emerged as the champions of this digital domain? Buckle up, sports fans, because we’re diving into the fascinating world of the Top Searched Athletes of 2023!
1. Damar Hamlin
From Cardiac Arrest to Google’s Top Trend: Damar Hamlin’s Comeback Captivates the World
A football player. A near-death experience. A viral prayer. And a comeback that touched millions. Damar Hamlin’s name wasn’t just the most-searched person on Google in 2023, he also topped the charts for athletes, proving his story transcended the boundaries of sport. His miraculous recovery from a cardiac arrest on the field, the rallying prayer that echoed across the nation, and his determination to return to the game made him a symbol of hope and resilience.
Quick Facts
| Damar Romeyelle Hamlin | Facts |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | March 24, 1998 |
| Profession | American Football Safety |
| Current Team | Buffalo Bills (NFL) |
| College | University of Pittsburgh |
| NFL Draft | Selected by the Buffalo Bills, 6th Round, 2021 |
| Career Highlights | – Became a starter for the Buffalo Bills in 2022 |
| – Suffered a cardiac arrest during a game on January 2, 2023 | |
| – Made a full recovery and returned to professional football | |
| Post-Incident NFL Highlights | – Played first NFL snap since cardiac arrest on August 12, 2023 |
| – Activated for the first time since the incident on October 1, 2023 | |
| – Played first snaps on defense on November 13, 2023 | |
| Charity Initiatives | – Started annual charity Christmas toy drives in McKees Rocks, Pennsylvania in 2020 |
| – Organized a GoFundMe campaign for the 2020 toy drive with a goal of $2,500 | |
| – Received a significant influx of donations after the January 2023 incident | |
| – GoFundMe campaign grew to over $8.7 million, originally aimed at supporting a toy drive | |
| – Chasing M’s Foundation, associated with the campaign, faced operational changes due to large donations |
But Morant’s impact extends beyond dance moves and acrobatic dunks. He’s a vocal advocate for social justice, using his platform to speak out against racism and inequality. He’s a passionate supporter of his Memphis community, investing in youth initiatives and embodying the heart and soul of his city.
2. Kylian Mbappé
World Cup Wonder, Online Warrior: Kylian Mbappé’s Double Google Trends Triumph in 2023
In a year bursting with athletic marvels, one name dominated the digital realm: Kylian Mbappé. This Parisian lightning bolt, with his searing pace, audacious tricks, and World Cup heroics, landed #2 on Google Trends’ Top Searched Athletes and #4 on the Top Most Searched Person, proving that sometimes, footballing magic translates into online gold.
Read : Top Searched Person in 2023 Part 1
Mbappé’s 2023 wasn’t just about stats and trophies. It was a masterclass in captivating the world. His breathtaking solo goal against Argentina in the World Cup final sent shivers down spines and set social media ablaze, showcasing his otherworldly talent and unwavering belief. Every nutmeg, every audacious skill run, became a viral spectacle, fueling a global obsession with the young phenom.
Quick Facts
| Kylian Mbappé Lottin | Facts |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | December 20, 1998 |
| Nationality | French |
| Position | Forward |
| Club | Paris Saint-Germain (Ligue 1) |
| National Team | France |
| Career Highlights | – Started senior club career with Monaco in 2015 |
| – Won Ligue 1 title with Monaco in the 2016–17 season | |
| – Joined Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) in 2017 for €180 million | |
| – Achieved domestic quadruple with PSG in 2019–20 | |
| – Led PSG to its first UEFA Champions League final in 2020 | |
| – All-time top goalscorer for PSG | |
| – Ranks third in all-time assists for PSG | |
| International Career | – Made senior debut for France in 2017 at age 18 |
| – Youngest French goalscorer in World Cup history (2018) | |
| – Second teenager, after Pelé, to score in a World Cup final (2018) | |
| – FIFA World Cup Best Young Player (2018) | |
| – Golden Boot and Silver Ball at the 2022 FIFA World Cup | |
| – Set the record for most goals in World Cup finals with a hat-trick | |
| – Third place in the 2023 Ballon d’Or | |
| – Runner-up for the 2022 The Best FIFA Men’s Player award | |
| – Named to FIFA FIFPro World11 in 2018, 2019, and 2022 | |
| – UEFA Team of the Year in 2018 | |
| – UEFA Champions League Squad of the Season multiple times | |
| Other Achievements and Awards | – Golden Boy in 2017 |
| – Kopa Trophy in 2018 | |
| – Ligue 1 Player of the Year (record four times) | |
| – Forbes list of the world’s highest-paid athletes (ranked third in 2023) | |
| – Named among Time’s 100 most influential people in 2023 | |
| Impact and Recognition | – Viewed as one of the best players in the world |
| – Considered the best player since the decline of Messi-Ronaldo dominance | |
| – Praised for individual and collective achievements | |
| – Dubbed as one of the “World Cup’s all-time greats” by Fox Sports (2022) | |
| – Ranked as the fastest player in the world by Le Figaro | |
| – Praised by opponents, including Stefan de Vrij, as the toughest opponent | |
| – Shortlisted for the Laureus World Sportsman of the Year in 2019 and 2023 | |
| Notable Matches and Goals | – Scored first World Cup goal in 2018 at the age of 19 |
| – Named man of the match in a 4–3 win over Argentina in 2018 World Cup | |
| – Scored a goal in the 2018 World Cup final against Croatia | |
| – Scored his 100th career goal in Euro 2020 qualifying (2019) | |
| – Provided the assist in UEFA Euro 2020 against Switzerland | |
| – Involved in penalty shoot-out against Switzerland (UEFA Euro 2020) |
This blend of footballing brilliance, off-field ventures, and genuine human connection is what makes Mbappé more than just a superstar; it makes him a phenomenon. He’s relatable, despite his celebrity status, approachable despite his global recognition. He celebrates his teammates, dances with fans, and breaks ankles with a dazzling smile that could melt polar ice caps.
3. Travis Kelce
Kelcemania Craze: Tight End Titan Tops Google Trends Again in 2023
Travis Kelce isn’t just a tight end. He’s a human highlight reel, a meme factory on cleats, and a Google Trends darling. In 2023, he cemented his digital dominance, landing #3 on the most-searched athletes list and #5 overall, proving that personality, passion, and touchdowns make for an unbeatable online formula.
Kelce’s 2023 wasn’t just another season of acrobatic catches and celebratory dances. It was a year of solidifying his legacy. He led the Chiefs to another Super Bowl, earning a coveted championship ring for a city he proudly calls home. His pre-game speeches, a guttural roar of motivation, became viral sensations, inspiring both teammates and fans across the nation.
Quick Facts
| Travis Michael Kelce | Information |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | October 5, 1989 |
| Nationality | American |
| Profession | American Football Player |
| Position | Tight End |
| Team | Kansas City Chiefs (NFL) |
| Drafted | 2013 NFL Draft, third round by the Chiefs |
| Super Bowl Wins | – Super Bowl LIV |
| – Super Bowl LVII (with touchdowns in both wins) | |
| College | Cincinnati Bearcats |
| Career Achievements | – Eight-time Pro Bowler |
| – Four-time first-team All-Pro selection | |
| – Considered one of the greatest tight ends of all time | |
| – Holds NFL record for most consecutive and overall seasons with 1,000 yards receiving by a tight end (seven seasons) | |
| – NFL record for most receiving yards by a tight end in a single season: 1,416 in 2020 (15 games) | |
| – Fastest tight end to reach 10,000 career receiving yards during the 2022 season | |
| – Fifth tight end in NFL history to reach 10,000 career receiving yards | |
| – Named to the NFL 2010s All-Decade Team | |
| Off the Field | – Reality and scripted television appearances |
| – Featured in advertisements | |
| – Co-hosts the podcast “New Heights” with his brother Jason | |
| – Podcast covers topics from football to popular culture | |
| Miscellaneous | – Pronunciation: /ˈkɛlsi/ (KEL-see) |
| – Holds the single-season receiving yards record in 2018 (briefly) | |
| – Known for his contributions to the Kansas City Chiefs’ success | |
| – Active presence in both the sports and entertainment spheres |
Kelce’s Google Trends triumph isn’t just a nod to his on-field skills; it’s a celebration of a player who injects fun into the game, tackles personal battles head-on, and connects with fans on a deeper level. He’s a reminder that sports are more than just stats and victories; they’re about personality, passion, and the power to inspire millions, one outrageous touchdown celebration at a time.
4. Ja Morant
Griddy and Glory: Ja Morant Sizzles to Google Top Searched Athletes Stardom in 2023
Forget gravity-defying dunks and highlight-reel crossovers, in 2023, Ja Morant conquered the internet with a smile and a shimmy. Landing at #4 on Google Trends’ most-searched athletes, this electrifying Memphis Grizzlies guard proved that infectious joy and genuine fun are digital gold.
Morant’s rise isn’t just about basketball wizardry. It’s a story of a small-town kid embracing the pressure, leading his team to Western Conference contender status with his dazzling playmaking and infectious enthusiasm. His signature “Griddy” dance, a celebratory jig embraced by fans and even NBA legends, transcended the court, becoming a pop culture phenomenon and a symbol of Morant’s pure love for the game.
Quick Facts
| Field | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Temetrius Jamel “Ja” Morant |
| Date of Birth | August 10, 1999 |
| Nationality | American |
| Position | Professional Basketball Player |
| Current Team | Memphis Grizzlies (NBA) |
| College | Murray State Racers |
| College Achievements | – Consensus first-team All-American as a sophomore in 2019. – First-team all-conference honors in the Ohio Valley Conference (OVC) as a freshman. – Won OVC Player of the Year in sophomore season. – First player in NCAA history to average 20-plus points and 10-plus assists per game for a single season (sophomore). |
| NBA Draft | Selected second overall by the Memphis Grizzlies in the 2019 NBA draft. |
| NBA Rookie of the Year | Awarded in 2020. |
| NBA All-Star Game | Named a starter in 2022. |
| NBA Most Improved Player | Awarded in 2022. |
| All-NBA Team | Selected to his first All-NBA Team. |
| Off-Court Incidents (2023) | – NBA investigation into an Instagram Live video of Morant displaying a gun at a Colorado nightclub. – Morant away from the team for at least two games and released a statement citing stress, anxiety, and well-being concerns. – Entered a counseling program in Florida. – Suspended by the NBA for eight games without pay for the nightclub incident. – Second suspension for flashing a gun on Instagram Live, leading to a 25-game suspension with conditions. |
Morant’s Google Trends triumph isn’t just a nod to his individual skills; it’s a celebration of a basketball purist who finds joy in the game, inspires a generation of young players, and reminds us that basketball, at its core, is about entertainment, community, and pure, unadulterated fun.
5. Harry Kane
Golden Boot Buzz: Harry Kane Tops Google Trends with Trophy Hunt in 2023
In a year overflowing with athletic marvels, some names inevitably rise above the rest. One such name, etching itself firmly in online consciousness, is Harry Kane. The English footballing talisman, with his lethal finishing and relentless trophy chase, landed at #5 on Google Trends’ most-searched athletes, proving that goals, grit, and a captain’s armband make for a potent online potion.
Kane’s 2023 wasn’t just about bulging nets and individual accolades. It was a year of collective ambition, leading Tottenham Hotspur to the brink of glory in both the Premier League and Champions League. His leadership on the pitch, inspiring teammates and galvanizing fans, fueled the “North London dream” and kept footballing headlines buzzing with every clinical strike.
Quick Facts
| Field | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Harry Edward Kane MBE |
| Date of Birth | July 28, 1993 |
| Nationality | English |
| Position | Striker |
| Current Club | Bayern Munich (Bundesliga) |
| Former Club | Tottenham Hotspur |
| Career Achievements | – All-time highest goalscorer for Tottenham Hotspur and England. – Second-highest all-time goalscorer in the Premier League. – Scored over 350 goals for club and country. – PFA Young Player of the Year (2014-15). – Premier League Golden Boot (2015-16, 2016-17). – PFA Fans’ Player of the Year (2016-17). – Most expensive signing in Bundesliga history (€110 million) in 2023. |
| International Career | – 62 goals in 89 appearances for England. – Golden Boot winner at the 2018 FIFA World Cup. – Led England to the runner-up position at UEFA Euro 2020. – England captain since the 2018 FIFA World Cup. – Debuted for Bayern Munich in 2023. |
| Bundesliga 2023-24 Highlights | – Debut for Bayern Munich: 64th-minute substitute in a 3–0 defeat to RB Leipzig. – First goal and assist: 4–0 away win against Werder Bremen. – First hat-trick: 7–0 victory against VfL Bochum. – Second hat-trick: 8–0 victory over Darmstadt. – Der Klassiker debut: Scored a hat-trick in a 4–0 away win against Borussia Dortmund. |
| Records and Achievements (2023) | – Broke three Bundesliga records with 20 goal participations and 15 goals in 10 games. – Matched Gerd Müller’s record from the 1968–69 Bundesliga season. – First player to score 17 goals after 11 games of a Bundesliga season. – Became the top-scoring Englishman in a single season in Bundesliga history (18 league goals). |
This blend of on-field prowess, off-field ventures, and genuine human connection is what makes Kane more than just a prolific goal scorer; it makes him a role model. He’s relatable, despite his celebrity status, respected for his work ethic and dedication. He connects with fans through humility, honesty, and a relentless pursuit of excellence..
Source : Google Trends