Virat Kohli in the Forbes’ highest-paid athletes list, No women included.

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New York:

India cricket captain Virat Kohli is among the world’s highest-paid athletes, according to a Forbes’ compilation topped by American boxing champion Floyd Mayweather.

Kohli is the only sportsperson from India to be featured in the list and is ranked 83rd with earnings of USD 24 million.

The Indian captain is not just the biggest name in Indian Sports today but is also the biggest brand. Kohli, 29, boasts of 21.9 million Instagram and 25.4 million Twitter followers.

This year BCCI named Kohli as one of the five players to receive A+ contracts with USD 1 million annually.

However his biggest earnings comes off the pitch. He is the ambassador of top brands  such as Puma, Pepsi, Audi and Oakley.

The 41 year old Mayweather topped the list with USD 285 million earnings.

Surprisingly, there are no women in the list.

“Tennis stars  Li Na, Maria Sharapova and Serena Williams were list regulars but Li retired in 2014 and Sharapova is still dealing with the aftermath of a 15-month suspension for using a banned substance.” said Forbes

Lionel Messi is ranked second in the list with earnings of USD 111 million through his annual salary and bonus. He also endorses Adidas, Gatorade, Pepsi and Huawei.

Soccer star Cristiano Ronaldo  follows Messi with annual earnings of USD 108 miilion

Others on the list are American basketball player LeBron James (6), Tennis star Roger Federer (7), golfer Tiger Woods (16), tennis player Rafael Nadal (20) and golfer Rory McIlroy (26).

(PHOTO INPUT:- FACEBOOK/VIRATKOHLI)