According to the latest rankings from SportsPro’s 50 Most Marketable (50MM) list, international football star, Lionel Messi has emerged as the most marketable athlete in the globe, surpassing basketball icon LeBron James.
Sharing an insight on Messi’s elevation to the top during an episode of the Footballco Business Podcast, Michael Long, editorial director at SportsPro, stated that “It’s a really interesting dynamic to see Messi in America. A match made in marketing heaven.”
With the sterling football talisman leading the pack and an impressive 22 footballers making the cut, Long discussed the factors that contributed to Messi’s dominance in the rankings.
The editorial director highlighted the unique blend of sports and entertainment culture present in football, particularly in leagues like Major League Soccer (MLS), where Messi now plies his trade with Inter Miami.
He stressed on the significance of Messi’s transition to MLS, revealing that it places him in a new realm where he intersects with cultural icons from various spheres, including sports and entertainment.
Long suggested that this shift has the potential of raising Messi to the status of a commercial powerhouse equal to legendary footballer David Beckham.
Messi’s position at the top of the 50MM list is not however solely attributed to his on-field performances or celebrity status as Long emphasized that Messi’s active involvement in charitable causes and support for social and environmental initiatives played a crucial role in enhancing his marketability.
See List of Top Ten Most Marketable Athletes In the World:
1. Lionel Messi
2. LeBron James
3. Alex Morgan
4. Giannis Antetokounmpo
5. Megan Rapinoe
6. Mikaela Shiffrin
7. Lewis Hamilton
8. Simone Biles
9. Kylian Mbappe
10. Max Verstappen
