Forbes Fab 40, a ranking of the most valuable sports brands of 2017, ranks Virat Kohli as the 7th most valuable athlete brand worldwide, ahead of Argentinian & Barcelona superstar Lionel Messi, who was ranked at number 9.

Based on the methodology used, Kohli is valued at $14.5 million. He is the only cricketer in the top 10 in 2017, though not the first. Mahendra Singh Dhoni, Kohli and India's former captain, was number 10 on the same list in 2016 and number 5 in 2014 & 2015.

Since becoming captain of the Indian cricket team in ODIs and T20Is in addition to Tests, the value of Brand Virat Kohli has skyrocketed.

Forbes list of 10 most valuable athletes in 2017

1. Roger Federer: $37.2m

2. LeBron James: $33.4m

3. Usain Bolt: $27m

4. Cristiano Ronaldo: $21.5m

5. Phil Mickelson: $19.6m

6. Tiger Woods: $16.6m

7. Virat Kohli: $14.5m

8. Rory McIlroy: $13.6m

9. Lionel Messi: $13.5m

10. Steph Curry: $13.4m

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