Ronaldo crowned world’s most marketable player

PARIS: Portugal star Cristiano Ronaldo is the world s most marketable footballer according to a study released by an international sports market research company Wednesday. Barcelona and Argentina forward Lionel Messi ranked second in the study conducted by Repucom ahead of club teammate and surprise third placed entry Gerard Pique of Spain.

The data measured the perceptions of over 6 500 people in 13 countries including Britain the United States Brazil China and India which was reportedly claimed to represent the views of more than 1.5 billion people worldwide.

Ronaldo who helped Real Madrid clinch a 10th Champions League title on Saturday was also found to be the most well-known player on the planet with 83.9 per cent of people aware of who he was.

Ronaldo is an endorser’s dream. His value is as important to the teams he plays for as they are for the companies that endorse him, said Paul Smith, CEO of Repucom.

Global awareness of Ronaldo is what drives his commercial power and with over 82 million facebook likes and 26 million Twitter followers he is also one of the most liked in the business. (APP/AFP)

Jaipur girl Koyal Rana crowned 51st Femina Miss India

Jaipur girl Koyal Rana was Saturday crowned Femina Miss India 2014 at the 51st edition of the beauty pageant here. The first and second runners-up were Jhataleka Malhotra from Mumbai and Gail Nicole Da Silva from Goa respectively. The trio was selected from the top five finalists of the fbb Femina Miss India 2014 that also included Lopamudra Raut and Nikhila Nandgopal. Miss India 2013 winners Navneet Kaur Dhillon, Sobhita Dhulipala and Zoya Afroz were on stage at the Yashraj Studio to handover the titled to the winners. Tinsel town stars Shahid Kapoor and Shradhha Kapoor added glamour to the ceremony, which was judged by actors Abhay Deol, Jacqueline Fernandez, Vidyut Jamwal, Aditi Rao Hydari, Malaika Arora Khan along with ace fashion designer Manish Malhotra, singing sensation Yo Yo Honey Singh, Miss World 2013 Megan Young and World Champion Boxer Vijender Singh. Mika Singh set the stage afire when he belted out his popular number "Agal Bagal" from "Phata Poster Nikla Hero" and his brand new song "Party toh banti hai" from Amitabh Bachchan's ready to release "Bhoothnath Returns". Honey Singh also took to stage and wowed the guests at the finale, which hosted by actor Riteish Deshmukh, who kept the audience in splits with his wit and humour.

The highpoint of the evening was Bollywood actress Sonakshi Sinha's tribute to former beauty queen Zeenat Aman, who was later felicitated with a trophy at the finale by the "Dabangg" actress.