Lionel Messi v Virat Kohli: Who stands where in 2021 after the Barcelona star got a new 4-year contract!

Recently, Virat Kohli surpassed FC Barcelona star Lionel Messi in the list of most valuable brands among athletes

By: Ankit Banerjee |
November 26, 2017 3:10 pm

Barcelona star Lionel Messi’s new four-year contract, reportedly worth a net £500,000 per week means he will now be earning more than his footballing counterpart Cristiano Ronaldo. But will he pip Virat Kohli by 2021 and we are analysing this because recently the Indian skipper went past Lionel Messi in terms of highest paid athletes, according to the Forbes. The Forbes list also comprised of athletes from different worlds of sports as well, for example, Fernando Alonso (Formula 1) and Floyd Mayweather (Boxer). NFL’s Derek Carr and NBA’s Stephen Curry is not too far away as well.

But in this piece, we will look at the careers of Lionel Messi and Virat Kohli in particular to one, create an Indian interest and also understand where cricket stands in terms of moolah compared to football.

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So, here is how much Lionel Messi earns:

Well Lionel Messi, thanks to his growing influence in football matches, Barcelona has extended his contract by 4 years. He has recently signed a four-year contract with Barcelona for a net worth of £500,000 per week, this is in British Pounds. Can you guess how much this will amount to in Indian currency?

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That amounts to a whopping Rs 4,30,40,592.96. Approximately 4 crores a week.

_ In case you missed the story, Leo #Messi renewed his contract with FC Barcelona earlier today … and here are the pictures to prove it!

Great news for Barca fans all over the world! __ pic.twitter.com/UofY5seBIC

— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) November 26, 2017

This is how much Virat Kohli earns:

Indian skipper Virat Kohli, who is all of 29 and in the peak of his career, he plays for Royal Challengers Bangalore in the lucrative Indian Premier League. The run machine earned $2.5m from Royal Challengers Bangalore in the 2017 Indian Premier League. Kohli, who missed out the early stage of the tournament, played 10 matches, picking a handy £193,682 per match. So, Virat Kohli earns Rs 1,66,72,376.25 per match during the IPL. This means Virat Kohli does actually lag behind when it comes to earnings by 2021, compared to Lionel Messi by 2021.

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How could Virat Kohli turn the tables:

Yes, Virat Kohli can turn the tables if he bags a massive contract with RCB in 2018 and if his paycheck keeps getting heavier by the calendar year. Or else, Virat Kohli will lose this race hands down.