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Kohli Is To Cricket What Ronaldo Is To Football?
Sportsmen have always been recognized by their sport, but it happens once in an era that a sportsman becomes the face of a sport. Portuguese National Team Captain Cristiano Ronaldo and Indian National Team Captain Virat Kohli are two such names in the world of football and cricket, respectively. Their names have rather surpassed being limited only to the sports world and have become brands of their own. Their craze is such that even sport culture ignorant people chant their names with utmost enthusiasm and their expertise in their respective field earns them the same reaction from sports fanatics. Their appeal is thus universal.
Cricket players will swear by Virat Kohli and without a blink of an eye place him at the top, while football players will tell you that there is none better than Cristiano Ronaldo.
BEGINNING AND SUCCESS
Kohli -
Kohli started playing cricket at an incredibly young age and joined a professional academy at the tender age of nine. His coaches recall that his enthusiasm for the sport made him stand out from others.
Kohli played for Delhi Under 15 team in 2002. In 2004, he was selected for Delhi Under 17 team for 2003-04 Vijay Merchant Trophy.
Then, in July 2006 came Kohli's turn to live every sportsperson's dream and represent his country as he was selected in India Under 19 team for its England tour and then toured Pakistan. He excelled in both. Later on. he impressed everyone with his performance in Sri Lanka Under 19s and Bangladesh Under 19s.
In April 2007, he made his Twenty-twenty debut and finished as the highest run-scorer with 179 runs. In 2008, he captained the Under 19 team and led it to its 2008 ICC Under 19 Cricket World Cup victory. His Under 19 career was full of consistently good performances.
In 2008, Kohli made his international debut in the Indian ODI team for Sri Lanka Tour.
In 2011, he was named in India's 15 men squad for the World Cup. Kohli played in every match of the successful World Cup. In 2012, came Kohli's ODI vice-captaincy. In 2013, Kohli became captain of the Indian Cricket Team. He holds the position to this date.
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Ronaldo –
Ronaldo started his career at a young age. At the age of 7, he started playing for an amateur team and played for 3 years. Aged 12, he was signed by Sporting CP. Following his mother's advice, at age 14, Ronaldo decided to focus professionally on football.
Sixteen years old Ronaldo could probably already see himself making it big in football when he was promoted from Sporting's youth team. he played for under 16, 17, 18 teams and B team in the same season.
In 2003, he was signed by Manchester United. He made his FIFA debut with FIFA 04.
During his time with Manchester United, Ronaldo has scored against all 19 opposition teams in Premier League. He was honored with Ballon d'Or. He also became the first Premier League Player to be named FIFA World Player of the Year. In 2009, he parted ways with Manchester United.
In 2009, Ronaldo joined Real Madrid. A record 80,000 fans came to see his presentation at Santiago Bernabeu. Ronaldo is Madrid's all-time top scorer.
Since 2018, Ronaldo has been with Italian Club Juventus. With Juventus, he played his 1000th senior professional game and continues to make history by breaking records.
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STRUGGLES MADE THEM STRONGER
If there is one similar thing between these two sports juggernauts, it is their commitment, towards their game, towards constantly improving themselves and towards remaining at the top.
Kohli comes from a middle-class family. He is a self-made man. Kohli is said to have played a game the same day as his father died and attended the funeral only after the match was dismissed. This says more than enough about his work ethic and his love for the game.
Ronaldo, on the other hand, has first-hand traced the journey of rags to riches. From sharing a room with all his siblings to his whooping 100 million Euro transfer to Juventus, Ronaldo has done it all for himself and by himself. The respect and dedication he have for his game probably have its roots not only in his passion for the game but also the position he has attained because of it.
BEYOND SPORTS -
Their mass appealing personalities and chiseled bodies enable them to make ginormous sums of money outside their sport.
31 years old, Kohli is the king of brand endorsement in India. His brand value is summed at an astounding 14.5 million dollars. He is currently the brand ambassador for 32 national and international brands including names like Audi and American Tourister.
Being the most followed celebrity on Instagram, Ronaldo is no stranger to the brand value of his name. He is at present the brand ambassador for 17 International brands including some of his own.
CONTROVERSIES
As fans shower their favorites with unconditional love, so does media with controversies, some true and some allegations.
Kohli is infamous for his short temper, whether it is shouting at his teammates mid-game or showing "the finger" to his fans in the stadium Kohli has done it all. His several personal relationships gave him the playboy image. Kohli is now happily married to Anushka Sharma but before tying the knot in 2017, theirs was quite a controversial affair as well.
When it comes to controversies Ronaldo has more in store than Kohli. Ronaldo has been accused of two rapes in his career. He has also been accused of attempting to bribe the rape victim. Ronaldo is notorious for his hedonic sexual activities. He is said to have cheated on his girlfriend while she was pregnant with his baby. Like Kohli, Ronaldo does not hold back on his emotions in the field, kicking, punching, and thrusting he does it all.
Both legends have been the poster boys of their respective sports. They both have been there for an exceptionally long time now, so it would be fair enough to say that they both are counterparts in the game they represent and are here to stay for a while. Who is favorite? Kohli or Ronaldo? Tell us in the comments section below!
