Lionel Messi worth more than Cristiano Ronaldo- Study

Barcelona's Lionel Messi is the most valuable player in the world, well ahead of Real Madrid's Cristiano Ronaldo, according to a study by the International Centre for Sports Studies (CIES) Football Observatory.

The study used an algorithm based on 1,500 fee-paying club transfers since 2009 to determine that Messi's current transfer value is 220 million euros, while Ronaldo trails far behind at an estimated 133 million euros.

Messi, 27, has been increasingly linked with an exit from Barcelona, with both Manchester City and Chelsea reportedly interested in signing the four-time Ballon d'Or winner.

The Argentina captain endured a frustrating 2014 as Barcelona lost the Copa del Rey final and were beaten to the Liga title by Atletico Madrid, before Messi finished the World Cup with a runners-up medal after losing the final to Germany.

By contrast, Ronaldo, 29, lifted the Champions League trophy with Real Madrid and ended the year with over 60 goals in La Liga, with many observers backing him as the heavy favourite to lift the 2014 Ballon d'Or -- FIFA's top individual award which the Real Madrid forward will contest with Messi and Bayern Munich goalkeeper Manuel Neuer.

Chelsea have three representatives in the study's top 10, with Eden Hazard (99 million euros) third in the list, Diego Costa (84 million euros) fourth, and Francesc Fabregas (62 million) eighth.

Juventus midfielder Paul Pogba is reportedly worth 72 million euros after leaving Manchester United for nothing in 2012, while CIES believes Raheem Sterling would set Real Madrid back some 63 million euros should they decide to target the Liverpool forward.

There are six Premier League players in the top 10 overall, with Manchester City talisman Sergio Aguero (65 million euros) sixth and Arsenal star Alexis Sanchez (61 million euros) ninth.

Gareth Bale is valued at just 60 million euros by CIES after signing for Real Madrid for around 100 million euros in the summer of 2013, although Los Blancos have the most representatives in the top 100, with 11 players.

The variables included in CIES' econometric model refer to player performances (matches, goals, dribbles, etc.), their characteristics (age, position, contract duration, etc.), as well as competition level and results achieved by both their clubs and national teams.

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Sony's CEO 'Kazuo Hirai' speaks publicly for the first time following Cyber Attack

Sony's CEO Kazuo Hirai spoke up for the first time following massive hacking which targeted Sony Pictures Entertainment in late November. Prior to unveiling the company's latest gadgets at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas on Monday, January 5, Hirai addressed the incident and thanked people who showed support to "The Interview", a comedy starring Seth Rogen and James Franco which is believed to be the one which prompted the hack.

"Both Sony Pictures Entertainment former employees and certainly current employees were unfortunately the victims of one of the most malicious cyber-attacks we have known in recent history," he said, as reported by Variety. "I am very proud of all employees and all the partners we've worked with as well who stood up against the extortionate effort of these criminals."

"I have to say freedom of speech, freedom of expression - those are important lifelines of Sony and our entertainment business, and today as you all know, 'The Interview' is available through multiple online venues and through satellite, telecom and cable partners as well as 580 independent theaters alone in the U.S.," he added. "I want to take this opportunity to thank all of the partners who made this possible, the members of the media who supported our launch, but most importantly the people who have come out to see the movie."

"The Interview", which focuses on two TV journalists who are sent to assassinate North Korean leader Kim Jong-Un by the CIA, was pulled from theaters before being released digitally and in select theaters. President Obama's administration has ordered sanctions against North Korea which is believed to be the one behind the attack.

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