…Striker ranked above Haaland, CR7 missing
CHIGOZIE AMADI
Victor Osimhen is the only African player to make Sports Pro’s Top 50 Most Marketable Athletes list for 2024, being ranked 44th ahead of Manchester City’s Erling Haaland.
The US website used three metrics — brand strength, total addressable market, and economics—to determine the rankings, with Osimhen scoring higher than the Norwegian striker, who sits in 45th position.
The Nigeria international recorded 24.18 in brand strength, 26.94 in total addressable market, and 13.03 in economics for an aggregate marketability score of 64.15, while Haaland managed 22.8, 17.73, and 23.49, respectively, for a total of 64.02.
American gymnast Simone Biles tops the list, with Real Madrid’s Vinicius Jr. emerging as the highest-ranked footballer in second place with 91.52 points.
Eight-time Ballon d’Or winner Lionel Messi completes the top five with 89.67 points.
Other footballers ranked include PSG’s Neymar, Real Madrid midfielder Jude Bellingham, Manchester United forward Marcus Rashford, and Barcelona teenager Lamine Yamal. Portuguese icon Cristiano Ronaldo was notably absent from the rankings.
Osimhen’s high ranking comes despite his market value dropping by €35m in 2024, with Napoli also cutting his release clause from £113m to £63m after failing to secure a permanent move away from the club in the summer.
The 25-year-old is currently enjoying a purple patch at Turkish giants Galatasaray, where he is on a season-long loan. He recently broke the club’s seven-year record by recording six goal contributions in his first five league games—aa feat last achieved by Bafetimbi Gomis in 2014.
His impressive performances in Istanbul have attracted interest from several clubs, with Turkish media outlet Sozcu reporting that Galatasaray are preparing a €50m bid to sign him permanently in January, though this falls short of his €75m release clause.
The striker had been linked with a move to Chelsea in August before joining Galatasaray, where he has netted four goals and provided four assists in seven appearances.
Saudi Pro League side Al Ahly are also monitoring his situation, though Osimhen has publicly stated his commitment to remaining with Galatasaray until the end of the season.
