Lionel Messi had also defeated LeBron James in 2020’s list.

Following LeBron James' $13,400,000 Example, Lionel Messi Splurges $10,750,000 on a Miami Mansion Equipped with Two Docks - The SportsRush

Lionel Messi and LeBron James

Commercial success is just as vital as performance on the field for athletes and players as they make differences via their plays. Without question, two of the most well-known athletes in the world right now are LeBron James and Lionel Messi.

Even though they play different sports, they have always been compared, not in terms of the sport itself, but rather in terms of marketing, publicity, and other relevant parameters on the basis of their reach.

And now, Lionel Messi, currently a forward with Inter Miami, is ranked No. 1 among the world’s 50 most marketable athletes by SportsPro, surpassing the great LeBron James of the Los Angeles Lakers. This well-crafted ranking extends beyond mere sporting accomplishments.

The 2022 FIFA World Cup victor has previously outwitted James in the Most Marketable Athletes competition. Above James, Messi had also won his first “MM” championship in 2020. James was third at that point. Although the Lakers is currently ranked second, in the end, he was the first to win it in 2010.

First off, many regard soccer as the most global sport. It is the sport that receives the greatest media attention and conversation. Because he plays a sport that millions of people watch, this element contributes to the domination of Argentinian soccer superstar worldwide.

Fans react to Lionel Messi surpassing LeBron James for World’s 50 most marketable athletes

Messi gained an advantage when he decided to play for Major League Soccer (MLS) in USA. His fame aligns well with the MLS’s philosophy of using marketing to promote matches. The Barca legend is undoubtedly receiving more attention and fan interaction from MLS than he has ever had. However, this victory led some fans to question James’s marketability and his status as the most well-known athlete.

People wasted no time in responding to this news and shared their thoughts. Some believed that James never really challenged Messi, while some began to doubt his commercial viability. Scroll down for other reactions:

Despite playing nearly opposing sports, they each have a significant amount of market and fame. Both players are extremely near their retirement age; perhaps they have one or two more years to go. Though the topic of who is the best will never go away, each of them continues making significant contributions to the sports world.