Sam Kerr comes fourth on list of Australia’s most famous athletes – here’s who beat the Matildas World Cup superstar in the popularity stakes

You can mount a convincing argument that no current Aussie sports star has achieved more than Sam Kerr – but that hasn’t been enough to put the Matildas striker at the top of a new list of the country’s most famous athletes.

The 29-year-old is the only women’s football player to have won the prestigious Golden Boot award in three different leagues and has been instrumental in driving English giants Chelsea to four WSL titles in addition to her incredible record with the national side.

However, she couldn’t crack the top spot on Aussie gambling agency BettingTop10’s list of down under athletes who have the most fame and influence, which was decided using their social media clout and Google search data.

That went to Formula One star Daniel Ricciardo, who has just revived his career by scoring a drive with the AlphaTauri team after serving as Red Bull’s reserve behind Max Verstappen and Sergio Perez over the first 11 races of the season.

Three Golden Boot awards, recognition from many experts as the best player in the world and an outstanding record for club and country weren’t enough to get Kerr the top spot

Formula One star Daniel Ricciardo was named No.1 on the list as he resurrects his career with a new job driving for the AlphaTauri team (pictured)

The Perth-born driver is on the rebound after a horror two years at McLaren, which saw him replaced by countryman Oscar Piastri – and the key to his No.1 placing is his 13million followers across social media. 

Second spot went to controversial tennis star Nick Kyrgios, who was riding high going into this year’s Australian Open after contesting the 2022 Wimbledon men’s singles final against Novak Djokovic.

The Canberran has struggled since, forced to withdraw from his home grand slam with a knee injury that has plagued him ever since and forced him out of this year’s tournament at the All England Club.

Next comes NBA star Ben Simmons, who has battled injury – and constant, heavy criticism from fans – beginning with his turbulent exit from the Philadelphia 76ers and continuing with his unimpressive stint for the Brooklyn Nets.

Kerr beat out Aussie Test cricket captain Pat Cummins, who has an incredibly high profile in what ex-prime minister John Howard once called the most important job in Australia. 

UFC star Robert Whittaker (left) was a surprising inclusion as he’s not Australia’s most successful MMA star – that honour goes to Alex Volkanovski

Kerr beat out fifth-placed Pat Cummins, who holds what former prime minister John Howard once called the most important job in Australia 

Tennis star Alex de Minaur (pictured playing mixed doubles at Wimbledon this year with girlfriend Katie Boulter) came in ninth, ahead of cricket star Nathan Lyon 

Sixth went to women’s cricket icon Ellyse Perry, who has just starred in a record fifth Ashes tour, with UFC star Robert Whittaker in seventh – which was somewhat of a surprise, given his fellow Aussie octagon star Alex Volkanovski is regarded by many as the pound-for-pound king of the sport.

Then it’s on to Ash Barty, who takes eighth spot despite being retired from the sport she once dominated for more than a year, and Alex de Minaur, who was Australia’s best hope in the men’s draw at Wimbledon this year and is making waves on social media with his glamorous girlfriend, British star Katie Boulter.

Rounding out the top 10 is spin bowler Nathan Lyon, a constant fixture in the Aussie Test team since 2011 and dealt the side a huge blow when he had to return home injured from the current Ashes series in England.