Lionel Messi’s visit to India has once again shown how big his appeal as a global icon is, and it has fired up a familiar debate among sports buffs here, how does Messi stack up against India’s biggest sporting icon, Virat Kohli, in terms of fame and wealth?
Despite cricket being the dominant sport in India, the frenzy around Messi has been on another level. After a gap of 14 years, the Argentine legend arrived in Kolkata on December 13, and the welcome was nothing short of grand. Even Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan was spotted lining up in Bengal to greet the football icon, underlining just how rare a moment this was.
It did not exactly turn out that way, though. Messi, with his tight schedule, remained only a few minutes at the Yuva Bharati (Salt Lake) Stadium and left almost immediately. Thousands of fans who packed the venue, hoping for a proper glimpse, were thus left frustrated. Tempers flared and ugly scenes followed, with bottles and chairs reportedly thrown as disappointment turned into chaos.
Net Worth of Lionel Messi
At 38, Lionel Messi is still operating at peak popularity. Decades of magical moments, record-breaking achievements, and World Cup glory have turned him into one of the most recognizable athletes on the planet. According to reports, Messi’s net worth is estimated to be in the region of $850 million, placing him among the richest sports stars in history.
A lot of that wealth comes from football salaries and huge endorsements. Messi has a lifetime sponsorship deal with Adidas and numerous partnerships with global brands. His influence off the pitch is equally staggering, with over 510 million followers on Instagram-a number most celebrities can only dream of.
Beyond football and endorsements, Messi has invested smartly, too. He’s the owner of the hotel chain MiM Hotels, with several luxury properties in Barcelona, Miami, and Rosario combined, worth more than $200 million. Add that to his collection of private jets and cars-an enviable car garage that runs from Mercedes to Maserati, Range Rover, Audi, and even a humble Toyota Prius-and it surely seems like Messi’s lifestyle befits a superstar.
How Does Virat Kohli Compare?
For, even in normal times, Virat Kohli is very much the undisputed face of Indian cricket and one of the most marketable athletes in the country. His net worth is estimated at around Rs 1050 crore, approximately $127 million, earned majorly from BCCI contracts, IPL earnings, and high-profile brand endorsements. Kohli has 274 million followers on Instagram, something which is just unbelievable by any scale.
However, put against Messi’s global reach, that chasm is stark. Messi works at a fully global level, while Kohli’s influence is intense, yet remains limited to cricket-playing nations.
