Virat Kohli Sole Indian In Forbes 2019 List Of World's Highest-Paid Athletes

India cricket team skipper Virat Kohli has once again become the only sportsman from the country to feature in the Forbes 2019 list of world’s highest-paid athletes. Forbes announced their list on Jun 11. Football superstar Lionel Messi leads the list. Kohli, on the other hand, is placed at the hundredth spot.

As per Forbes, Kohli earned around $21m from endorsements and $4m from salary and winnings in the last 12 months. Overall, he earned $25m. However, the cricket superstar, who was ranked 83rd in the list last year, has dropped down to the 100th spot despite an increase of $1m in endorsements.

Kohli, who is the number one Test and ODI batsman, is definitely the most marketable cricketer in the world right now. His on-field exploits with the bat and fiery nature has made him a hit among the fans. His off the field living style has also impressed fans and it has been reflected in his popularity. Kohli is the most popular cricketer in the world on social media.

Kohli is currently in England where he is leading India in the World Cup. If he manages to lead India to the World Cup glory, his stocks are only going to increase.

Talking about the overall list, Messi is leading the Forbes list of world’s highest-paid athletes for the first time. Boxing great Floyd Mayweather was at the top spot last year. Juventus superstar Cristiano Ronaldo is second on the list with Paris Saint-Germain star Neymar coming third. This is the first time that footballers have clinched the top three spots since Forbes began tracking athlete earnings in 1990.

Messi has earned a staggering wealth of $127m in the last 12 months. He earned $92m from salary and winnings and an additional $35m from endorsements. Ronaldo, on the other hand, has total estimated earnings of $109m over the last 12 months with $65m coming from salary and winnings and $44 coming from endorsements. Neymar has total estimated earnings of $105m over the last 12 months ($75m from salary and earnings, $30m from endorsements)

Canelo Alvarez, Roger Federer, Tiger Woods,Lewis Hamilton, and  Novak Djokovi are among the other big names in the top 25.

Here is the list showing world’s Top 10 Highest-Paid Athletes in 2019 (Source: Forbes)

Lionel Messi (Football) – $127m
Cristiano Ronaldo (Football) – $109m
Neymar (Football) – $105m
Canelo Alvarez (Boxing) – $94m
Roger Federer (Tennis) – $93.4m
Russell Wilson (American Football) – $89.5m
Aaron Rodgers (American Football) – $89.3m
LeBron James (Basketball) – $89m
Stephen Curry (Basketball) – $79.8m
Kevin Durrant (Basketball) – $65.4m