Lionel Messi has been named the world’s most marketable athlete. According to a recent SportsPro Media article, he has dethroned archrival Cristiano Ronaldo. The rankings take in consideration the on-field results and also the off-field initiatives of sportsmen.
Messi’s breakthrough transfer to MLS club Inter Miami in the United States of America was vital in his journey. His deal with the club includes a percentage of goods sales proceeds, demonstrating his great marketability.
Messi is at the top of the list for the second time, having previously claimed the top place in 2020. Cristiano Ronaldo, has suddenly dropped all the way to 27th place. in the top 50 marketable sportsmen for 2023. He was at the top in 2022.
Messi also has a contract with Apple, which acts as the streaming provider for MLS matches. Thus adding to his popularity. Apple has even published a four-part documentary tracing Messi’s amazing quest to triumph in Qatar at the 2022 FIFA World Cup.
In contrast, Cristiano Ronaldo’s January transfer to Saudi Pro League team Al-Nassr saw him fall down the rankings. Last year, the 38-year-old Portuguese star maintained the top spot. Even while playing for Premier League heavyweights Manchester United, he experienced the same thing.
Notably, Messi was the only footballer among the top ten most marketable athletes in the world. Kylian Mbappe of Paris Saint-Germain has taken ninth place.
Harry Kane of Bayern Munich, Bukayo Saka of Arsenal, Neymar of Al- Hilal, Luis Suarez of Gremio, Erling Haaland of Manchester City, Thiago Silva of Chelsea, Son Heung Min of Tottenham Hotspur, Mohamed Salah of Liverpool, and Marcus Rashford of Manchester United are other football players who made the list of the top 50 marketable athletes.
It’s important to note that there are female athletes on the list as well. Legendary members of the USWNT Alex Morgan and Megan Rapinoe secured the third and fifth spots, respectively, to represent women’s football.
Here is the list of 10 Most Marketable Athletes 2023:
- Lionel Messi
- LeBron James
- Alex Morgan
- Giannis Antetokounmpo
- Megan Rapinoe
- Mikaela Shiffrin
- Lewis Hamilton
- Simone Biles
- Kylian Mbappe 10. Max Verstappen
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