Football

Kylian Mbappé, the French football sensation, has joined Real Madrid in a record-breaking move that has made him one of the highest-paid athletes in the world. Despite taking a pay cut to leave Paris Saint-Germain, Mbappé's monthly salary at Real Madrid still eclipses the combined earnings of Indian cricket superstars Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma.Mbappé's lucrative deal with Los Blancos will see him earn an estimated INR 285 crore in his first year at the Santiago Bernabeu. This translates to a staggering INR 23.7 crore per month, making him the highest-paid player in the Spanish league.In comparison, Kohli and Sharma, two of the most celebrated cricketers in India, are expected to earn around INR 7 crore each per year from the Board of Control for Cricket in India's (BCCI) annual central contracts. While they are also the faces of their respective teams in the Indian Premier League (IPL), their combined IPL salaries still fall short of Mbappé's monthly earnings at Real Madrid.Mbappé's astronomical salary is a testament to his exceptional talent and marketability. The 25-year-old forward has established himself as one of the most prolific goalscorers in the world, winning numerous individual and team accolades. His move to Real Madrid has been highly anticipated by fans and pundits alike, and he is expected to play a key role in the club's quest for more silverware.While Mbappé's salary may seem excessive to some, it reflects the growing financial power of football clubs and the increasing value of top-tier athletes. In recent years, several football players have signed contracts worth hundreds of millions of dollars, highlighting the lucrative nature of the sport.Mbappé's move to Real Madrid is a significant moment in his career and a testament to his status as one of the most sought-after players in the world. His astronomical salary is a reflection of his exceptional talent and the financial power of football clubs.

Indian cricket captain Rohit Sharma's iconic slow-walk celebration, inspired by Argentine football legend Lionel Messi, has become a popular gesture in the sporting world. After Messi's memorable celebration following Argentina's FIFA World Cup triumph in 2022, Rohit recreated the moment after India's T20 World Cup victory last year.Now, Messi has once again performed the slow-walk celebration, this time after Argentina's 1-0 victory over Colombia in the Copa America final on Monday. However, this time, Messi shared the spotlight with Angel Di Maria and Nicolas Otamendi, who lifted the trophy alongside him.Argentina's Copa America triumph marks their third consecutive major tournament victory, following their 2021 Copa America and 2022 FIFA World Cup wins. This achievement makes them the first South American team to accomplish this feat.The victory was particularly special for Di Maria, who announced his retirement from international football after the match. "I dreamed it, I dreamed that I retired like this," he said. "I have so many beautiful feelings. I am eternally grateful to this generation that made me achieve what I sought so much."Messi's latest triumph adds to his already impressive collection of 45 team accolades, making him the most decorated player in football history. The World Champions dominated the Copa America tournament, topping Group A and defeating Ecuador, Canada, and Colombia en route to the title.