A report by Hopper HQ went viral on Friday, which claimed that former India cricket workforce captain Virat Kohli charged a mind-boggling sum of INR 11.45 crore for each single sponsored submit he placed on Instagram in 2023. The listing was topped by soccer nice Cristiano Ronaldo, adopted by Argentine nice Lionel Messi. According to the report, Ronaldo  charged a whopping sum of USD 3.23 million, which roughly INR 26.75 crore. Messi, alternatively, charged USD 2.56 million per Instagram submit, which is roughly INR 21.49 crore per submit, in keeping with Hopper HQ.

However, Kohli has now vehemently denied the report. “While I am grateful and indebted to all that I’ve received in life, the news that has been making rounds about my social media earnings is not true,” he wrote on X.

While I’m grateful and indebted to all that I’ve acquired in life, the information that has been making rounds about my social media earnings just isn’t true.

— Virat Kohli (@imVkohli) August 12, 2023

According to the report, Virat Kohli is the one Indian to have made it to the highest 20 listing globally. As per the report, he charged USD 1.38 million per submit on Instagram. His earnings translate to INR 11.45 crore for a single submit. He has 256 million followers on the platform at current.

Mike Bandar, Hopper HQ’s co-founder, was fairly stunned to see how the worldwide superstars’ earnings have soared through the years on Instagram. He additionally highlighted how sporting superstars’ affect extends past the sector.

“It’s still shocking to me that the annual money made on the platform increases every year,” Bandar stated. “Yet, what fascinates me more is the consistent players at the top.

“It’s obvious that the glitz and glamour of conventional celebrities nonetheless holds energy over the brand new ‘influencer’ standing. Ronaldo and Messi not solely dominate the pitch, but in addition the digital sphere because it’s clear they personify the ability of private branding and the affect it holds over us ‘extraordinary’ individuals.”