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Cristiano Ronaldo has been named as the world's most marketable footballer in SportsPro's 16th annual ranking.

Cristiano Ronaldo celebrates his 41st birthday in February but maintains at his peak after reaching 800 club goals earlier this month. The Al-Nassr star is incredible and it seems like age is just a number for the veteran who isn’t letting up anytime soon.

Now, as reported by GOAL, Ronaldo has been named as the world’s most marketable footballer by SportsPro in a list that also includes the likes of Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappe.

Ronaldo (5th), Neymar (6th), Robert Lewandowski (11th), Kylian Mbappe (13th), Vinicius Jr (14th), Lionel Messi (16th), Bukayo Saka (19th), Lamine Yamal (23rd), Harry Kane (28th), Raphinha (30th), Marcus Rashford (32nd), Achraf Hakimi (34th), Alexia Putellas (36th), Mohamed Salah (43rd), Rodrygo (44th), Jamal Musiala (45th), Beth Mead (46th) and Dani Olmo (49th).  

Michael Long, Director of Key Projects at SportsPro opened up on the list and its importance for brands and for seeing which athletes are on the rise.

“The 50 Most Marketable Athletes ranking has become an essential barometer for the sports industry, offering an invaluable snapshot of how the world’s leading athletes are shaping their commercial profiles and brand influence each year.

“This year’s list once again highlights an eclectic line up of global icons and rising stars, each of whom continues to inspire on the field while creating meaningful impact off it.

“For brands, agencies and rights holders alike, 50MM remains the clearest and most objective measure of athlete marketability anywhere in sport.”

Interestingly, Ronaldo slipped to 27th in 50MM 2023 as many believed he would soon retire in Saudi Arabia. However, he has since shot up the list above the likes of Messi, Neymar, Yamal and Salah to claim the top spot for football in what is a proud moment for the Portuguese icon.

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