Virat Kohli overtakes Lionel Messi on Forbes list

10/26/2017

Virat Kohli has edged past footballer Lionel Messi in the latest list of the world's most valuable athletes released by Forbes on Wednesday and has captured the seventh position on the list. Earlier, Kohli was also at the top place in the Forbes fame rankings for Indian celebrities for 2016.

Kohli chose his 200th ODI to become the second highest century-maker in the format, more than anyone bar Sachin Tendulkar. He got there in less than half the innings that Tendulkar took to get to 49 hundreds by taking only 192 innings so far. His inhuman fitness level and strong mindset have not only made the entire Indian team a gym freak, it also made him sport's current unique selling proposition.

In the latest list of the world's most valuable athletes released by Forbes on Wednesday, the brand value of the Indian skipper is estimated to be $14.5m. The amount has been calculated by this formula - their earnings excluding salary and bonus from their sport and all investment income, minus the average income of the top 10 athletes in the same sport.

Currently, Kohli's brand value is higher than football legend Lionel Messi, golf superstar Rory McIlroy, and Golden State Warriors' Stephen Curry. Undoubtedly, Roger Federer has topped the list, while Kohli's idol Cristiano Ronaldo features at the number four spot.

Last year, the Indian captain had beaten Bollywood stars like Salman Khan and Shah Rukh Khan to take the top place in the Forbes fame rankings for Indian celebrities for 2016. MS Dhoni and Sachin Tendulkar were the only other sportsmen in the top-ten that was dominated by Bollywood big shots.

Top 10 most valuable athletes

1. Roger Federer $37.2m

2. LeBron James $33.4m

3. Usain Bolt $27m

4. Cristiano Ronaldo $21.5m

5. Phil Mickelson $19.6m

6. Tiger Woods $16.6m

7. Virat Kohli $14.5m

8. Rory McIlroy $13.6m

9. Lionel Messi $13.5m

10. Steph Curry $13.4m