Virat Kohli ends last on Forbes 2019 list of world’s highest-paid athletes
BCCI
Despite an increase in Virat Kohli’s endorsements of $1m from last year, the Indian cricket star has slipped to the 100th position from 83rd last year in the Forbes 2019 list of world’s highest-paid athletes. The first three places are taken by Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, and Neymar Jr.
The list, announced on Tuesday, saw the Indian cricket skipper drop 17 places from last year. And this was despite Kohli’s estimated earnings of $21m from endorsements and $4m from salary and winnings, which is taking his tally to $25m for the last 12 months.
At the top of the list is FC Barcelona star Messi, who overcame retired boxer Floyd Mayweather as the sports world’s highest earner. He has been garnering $127 million through salary and endorsement deals and is followed by arch nemesis Cristiano Ronaldo, who is sitting second with earnings of $109 million. Brazil and Paris Saint-Germain forward Neymar Jr. has been in the third place with earnings of $105 million.
The fourth position has been taken by Mexico’s middleweight boxing star Saul “Canelo” Alvarez with $94 million. The boxer came into limelight after he defeated Gennady Golovkin last September to win the unified middleweight champion belt. Consequently, he signed the richest deal worth $365 million in boxing history last year, where he would be fighting 11 fights over five years with streaming network DAZN.
Tennis ace Roger Federer is sitting fifth on the list with earnings of $93.4 million. The next two positions were taken by NFL and NBA stars. While Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson has been sixth on $89.5 million, Green Bay Packers signal-caller Aaron Rodgers is following him with $89.3 million.
Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James has been the highest earning NBA player with $89 million and took the eighth spot as Golden State’s Stephen Curry followed him with $79.8 million. Curry’s team-mate Kevin Durant followed him with $65.4 million.
The only woman athlete to make the list was Serena Williams who is sitting in at the 63rd positions with earnings of $29.2 million.
