Oh, the joy of sports! Where will the world be without it? For as long as mankind can remember, sports have been with us – triggering our competitive nature, fueling our passion, stirring up our emotions, and putting smiles or anguish on our faces. But, over the years, sport has developed beyond mere entertainment to become a means of making a living and business. Betting is another means of making money from sport now that people are using a new football betting app.
However, one cannot deny the fact that sports still remain one of the few instruments through which we unite different races, cultures, social status, and even gender.
Players and athletes have become global icons to the viewers. There are so many big names that cut across the world of sport, but we are only interested in the BIGGEST names. Three major factors will determine the choices – fan base, endorsement, and achievement.
Christiano Ronaldo
You do not have to be a football or soccer lover to have heard about this football icon. Skillful, hardworking, determined, controversial, and a proven winner, Christiano Ronaldo is one name that is on the lips of almost every sports lover – whether adoring him or hating him.
Christiano Ronaldo pockets over $30 million every year in endorsements alone. He has a combined social media following of over 148 million worldwide and when it comes to achievements, the only thing that still eludes this champ is the world cup trophy. But, he is still young enough to get his hands on it – even though he is knocking on forty years.
Lebron James
Few people can break into international fame from a sport that does not come close to football. Lebron “King” James, is the second-biggest name in sports and his greatness has manifested from the fact that people are still torn between him and Michael Jordan.
Do you know how great you have to be placed on the same pedestal as Michael Jordan? But that is just where Lebron James belongs. Strong, resilient, hardworking, and an astute entrepreneur, the current L.A. Lakers baller rakes in close to $45 million annually from endorsements alone. He has a die-hard fanbase and social media following of about 45 million people. The American has won everywhere he’s been, but can he do the same with the Lakers?
Lionel Messi
If you have heard about Christiano Ronaldo, then the chances are that you may have heard about a certain dribbling magician called Lionel Messi. Lionel Messi stands side by side with Christiano Ronaldo as currently the two best footballers in the past decade.
The Argentinian and FC Barcelona forward does not come with the imposing presence that Lebron or even Christiano Ronaldo has. But when it comes to skill, style, achievements, and popularity, he is right up there among the best. Lionel Messi bags an impressive $24 million every year from endorsements only and when it comes to the fanbase and social media following, he has over a hundred million die-hard fans that adore him. Just like his arch-rival Christiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi is yet to win the world cup with Argentina and, to be honest, a Portugal-vs-Argentina world cup final is what every football lover is dreaming about.
Sources
https://www.thesun.co.uk/sport/8647292/espn-top-20-list-messi-ronaldo-mcgregor/ The Sun
https://talksport.com/football/511518/espn-lionel-messi-paul-pogba-cristiano-ronaldo/ Talk Sport
http://www.espn.com/espn/feature/story/_/id/26113613/espn-world-fame-100-2019 ESPN
