Floyd Mayweather, Cristiano Ronaldo and Ronda Rousey all make Facebook's top ten stars of 2015... but who else was listed?
- Facebook have released their top ten sporting stars for 2015
- Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao both made the list
- Ballon d'Or finalists Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi also included
- Methodology was based on how frequently an athlete’s name was mentioned in Facebook posts made in 2015
- See more of the latest on Facebook's top ten stars of 2015
2015 was a massive year for sport, from Barcelona's treble, to the NBA Finals and the biggest and most lucrative fight in boxing history.
Many of the world's biggest athletes made major headlines over the past 12 months, for the right and wrong reasons.
The 10 biggest sporting superstars, based on how frequently they were mentioned in Facebook posts during 2015, have been calculated.
So here, Sportsmail looks at Facebook's top ten sporting stars...
Floyd Mayweather (left) and Manny Pacquiao clashed in the 'biggest fight of the century'
1) Floyd Mayweather
The undefeated boxer unanimously the won fight billed as the biggest of the century against Manny Pacquiao in Las Vegas, as he kept up his perfect record.
The 38-year-old was also honoured as 'The Best Ever' by Spike TV in 2015 and was ranked No 1 as the world's highest-paid athlete by Forbes magazine.
The American is Facebook's No 1 sportsperson for 2015 as he kept up his perfect 49-0 record
2) Manny Pacquiao
The Filipino fighter pushed Mayweather all the way in the MGM but didn't quite have enough to defeat the American.
Some controversy did follow after it was revealed that Pacquiao had injured his shoulder in the build-up to the clash and faced a potential lawsuit for failing to disclose the problem.
Despite this and his defeat, Pacquiao was named the second richest sportsperson on the planet.
Although Pacquiao was defeated by Mayweather, he was named as Forbes' second richest athlete
3) Ronda Rousey
UFC fighter Rousey dominated the bantamweight division and enjoyed a meteoric rise in 2015, as she became a worldwide phenomenon.
The 28-year-old had a perfect 12-0 record until being shocked by Holly Holm in November, which put a sorry end to her sensational year.
But that aside, Rousey has shown why she's classed as the UFC women's superstar and no doubt she'll back to reclaim her title in 2016.
Ronda Rousey became a UFC phenomenon in 2015 but was recently beaten by Holly Holm in devastating style
4) Lionel Messi
The Barcelona and Argentina star continues to show year after year why he's one of the best footballers to ever grace the pitch.
The 28-year-old netted has 48 times in 2015 for club and country, helping Barca clinch an impressive treble by winning the La Liga title, Copa del Rey and the Champions League.
Messi would no doubt have scored many more, had he not been sidelined for two months with a knee injury at the start of the new season.
Lionel Messi helped lead Barcelona to a treble including the Champions League, Copa del Rey and La Liga
5) Cristiano Ronaldo
The two-time Ballon d'Or winner is looking to make it three in a row at the upcoming FIFA awards ceremony following his blistering year for Real Madrid.
The former Manchester United star continues to match Messi statistically but was unable to help his side clinch a major trophy in the last 12 months.
However, Ronaldo has scored more goals than his great rival this year and is preparing to lead Portugal at the 2016 European Championships.
Ronaldo not only has more Facebook likes than any other athlete, but he is also the most popular public figure on Facebook across all categories with 108 million followers.
Real Madrid star Cristiano Ronaldo is hoping to win the Ballon d'Or for a third time in a row
6) Tom Brady
It's been a topsy-turvy year for the quarterback after winning his fourth Superbowl but later being caught up in 'deflategate.'
The New England Patriots star was suspended by the NFL without pay for four games but later had his ban overturned and was able to start the new season.
Brady, however, was named MVP for Superbowl XLIX after his sensational performance saw the Patriots overcome the Seattle Seahawks.
Tom Brady helped the New England Patriots win the Superbowl but got caught up in 'deflategate'
7) Steph Curry
The man who finally toppled LeBron James and helped Golden State Warriors win the NBA Finals for the first time in 40 years.
Curry was sensational in 2015 and was named NBA Most Valuable Player, and currently carries the mantle of the best player in basketball.
It looks like it could be the same next year, as the 27-year-old continues his excellent form going into 2016.
Steph Curry (right) has since become the best player in basketball after winning MVP in 2015
8) LeBron James
On the back of his lifetime $500million deal with Nike, James continues to be the face of NBA as a player and a brand.
Although losing to Curry's Golden State in the finals, the 30-year-old will once again try and win the title for the first time in the Cleveland Cavaliers history.
James was nothing short of sensational in 2015 as he single-handedly took the Cavaliers to the NBA finals.
Cleveland Cavaliers star LeBron James (right) recently signed a lifetime $500million deal with Nike
9) Serena Williams
The women's No 1 came close to history in 2015, after winning the French Open, Australian Open and Wimbledon but was shocked at the US Open as her hopes of completing a calendar Grand Slam came to an end.
The powerful American has proved too much for her competitors over the past few years and looks set to continue dominating women's tennis.
Serena Williams was close to making history by winning a calendar Grand Slam before losing in the US Open
10) Carlos Tevez
The former Manchester City striker moved back to his native Argentina when Boca Juniors came calling and has made a major impact.
The 31-year-old won the Primera Division in his first season back and secured his legendary status with the club's passionate supporters.
Tevez was also involved in a sickening incident, when he accidentally broke the leg of Ezequiel Ham in a 50/50 challenge.
Carlos Tevez returned to Boca Juniors from Juventus and helped them win the Primera Division
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