In this comprehensive compilation, we spotlight the 50 greatest athletes of all time, spanning from the legendary prowess of Travis Kelce to the unparalleled skill of Stephen Curry. Our list celebrates the most iconic, influential, and famed figures in sports, encompassing champions from every professional league. Understanding the complexity of comparing athletes across diverse sports, each demanding unique skills and mental fortitude, our aim is to showcase the elite, the most accomplished, and the pinnacle performers in their respective fields.
When deliberating on who stands out as the ultimate athlete of all time, two critical considerations come to the forefront. The first is the athlete’s innate talent—an essential component given the rarity and significance of natural ability in the sports realm. The second, equally important, factor is the athlete’s capacity to adapt and thrive under any circumstances. It’s a testament to their hard work, unwavering dedication, and strict discipline that sets them apart.
58. Patrick Mahomes
As the dynamic quarterback for the Kansas City Chiefs, Patrick Mahomes has redefined the position with his arm strength, accuracy, and improvisational play. Since entering the league, he’s quickly ascended to the upper echelon of NFL players, earning an NFL MVP award, a Super Bowl MVP, and leading his team to multiple Super Bowl appearances. Known for his ability to execute high-degree-of-difficulty throws and come through in clutch moments, Mahomes has not only set numerous league records but also captivated fans worldwide with his exciting style of play.
His leadership on and off the field, coupled with his commitment to excellence, makes him a fitting athlete to round out a list of the top 50 greatest athletes across all sports, showcasing the depth of talent and achievement required to be featured among the elite.
57. Zinedine Zidane
Zidane, arguably the greatest soccer player of all time, was a French midfielder who also played for Real Madrid and Juventus. His technical abilities and elegant play were his trademarks.
Zidane was part of the 1998 French World Cup winning team and was the FIFA World Player of the Year.
56. Tony Hawk
Tony Hawk, a professional skateboarder, is known as one of the greatest and most respected of all time. His innovations in the sport are what make him most famous, including his first successful 900-degree spin on skateboards.
Hawk is the winner of multiple championships and X-Games medals and has his own successful product line related to skateboarding.
Fun Fact: Tony Hawk’s net worth is around $ 140 million. It’s not bad.
55. Barry Sanders
Barry is one of the favorite runnings back. He was a shifty runner who could cause people to miss the right direction and make them change their minds. He was a running back for the Detroit Lions, and many people agree that he is the greatest.
He was a ten-time Pro Bowler and was inducted into The Pro Football Hall of Fame (2004). Imagine what he would do if he wasn’t stuck with the Lions for his entire career.
54. Jackie Joyner-Kersee
Jackie Joyner-Kersee, a former American track and field athlete, specializes in the long jump and the heptathlon. She holds the world record for the heptathlon and is considered one of the greatest athletes of all time.
Joyner-Kersee was awarded three Olympic gold medals as well as four World Championships. She was also named the USA Track & Field Athlete Of The Year several times.
53. Floyd Mayweather Jr.
Floyd Mayweather Jr., an American boxer, is one of the most respected and revered. He is a winner of multiple world championships and has a perfect professional record at 49-0. Mayweather is well known for his speed, accuracy, and defense.
He has been named “Fighter Of The Year” several times. Although he is not liked by many people, his style of fighting isn’t the most exciting. However, his greatness cannot be denied.
52. Michael Johnson
American retired track and field athlete Michael Johnson specializes in the 200-meter dash as well as the 400-meter sprint. Johnson is the only person to have both the world and Olympic records simultaneously.
He also won four Olympic gold medals. Johnson was a strong force in his events and was awarded the title of “World Athlete” four times.
51. Jackie Robinson
Jackie Robinson, an African American who played Major League Baseball for the first time, did it with grace and dignity. He was an outstanding player and was awarded the Rookie of The Year award in 1947.
Robinson was a man of many colors and faced racism and hardships throughout his career. But he persevered and became an icon of hope for millions. In 1962, he was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame.
50. Dan Gable
Dan Gable, a retired American wrestler, won Olympic gold in 1972 without being beaten at any Olympics. In college, he was also 117-1. Gable was also the head wrestling coach at Iowa University from 1976 to 1997.
His teams won 21 Big Ten Conference titles and 15 NCAA Division I championships, as well as numerous All-Americans, individual and team champions. Gable also coached 6 World teams and 3 Olympic teams.
49. Joe Montana
Joe Montana is an American football player who has retired. He was a quarterback for the San Francisco 49ers (1979-1992) and the Kansas City Chiefs (1993-1994).
He was a key figure in the 49ers’ four Super Bowl wins. In 2000, he was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
48. Ted Williams
Ted Williams was an American baseball pitcher. He was a 19-year veteran of the Boston Red Sox and is known as one of the greatest hitters ever. In fact, he was the last player to reach .400 in a single season in 1941. Williams’ batting average was .344, with 521 home runs.
He was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame by his fellow baseball players in 1966.
Fun Fact: Ted Williams was so talented that his family had his skull frozen in cryogenic death, hoping that science would bring him back.
47. Walter Payton
Walter Payton was an American football star. From 1975 to 1987, he was a Chicago Bears player. He is the NFL’s all-time leading rusher with 16,726 yards.
Payton was an athletic runner and was known for his outstanding ability as a blocker and receiver. In 1993, he was inducted into The Pro Football Hall of Fame.
46. Oscar Robertson
Robertson, nicknamed “The Big O,” was a player for the Cincinnati Royals and the Milwaukee Bucks. Robertson was a 12-time All-Star, an 11-time member of the All-NBA Team, and a one-time recipient of the MVP award. He became the first NBA player to average a triple-double in a single season in 1962. Robertson was 6 feet 5 inches (1.96 m) and 205 lb (93 kilograms) tall and played point guard. His playing career was marred by racism, particularly in high school and college.
ESPN ranked him as the 36th greatest American athlete of the 20th century. Robertson was also a crucial part of Robertson V. National Basketball Ass’n 1970 and the NBA Players Association president at the time of the landmark antitrust suit. It led to significant reforms to the league’s draft rules and strict free agency policies. All players were then paid higher salaries.
45. Jerry Rice
Jerry Rice is an American football player who has retired. From 1985 to 2000, he was a wide receiver for the San Francisco 49ers. He then played with Oakland and Seattle before retiring from the game in 2004.
He is widely considered the greatest receiver to have ever played the game. Rice was extremely productive and held many NFL records. In 2010, Rice was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
44. Aaron Donald
Aaron Donald is widely regarded as one of the best players in the NFL today, and many people consider him to be the best defensive player in league history. The Los Angeles Rams defensive tackle has been a force to be reckoned with since entering the league as the No. 13 pick in the 2014 NFL Draft. In just a few short years, he has racked up an impressive 98 sacks and 713 QB pressures, according to Pro Football Focus.
His dominance on the field is undeniable. It was on full display in the Super Bowl, where he played a crucial role in securing the victory for the Rams with game-icing pressure. His sensational and unprecedented greatness makes him a one-of-a-kind player in the league.
43. Micheal Vick
Micheal Vick is a retired American football player. From 2001 to 2006, he was a quarterback for the Atlanta Falcons. He then played with the Philadelphia Eagles between 2009 and 2013. Vick was an agile and unpredictable runner.
He was the first quarterback to rush for 1,000 yards in one season. He holds the record for most quarterbacks’ career rushing yards. Vick was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame on September 17, 2017.
Fun Fact: The Colorado Rockies selected Micheal Vick in the 30th round 2000 MLB draft.
42. Willie Mays
Willie Mays, an American baseball player, was born in 1931. From 1951 to 1972, he played for the New York/San Francisco Giants. Mays was an outstanding all-around player who was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1979.
In center field, he won 12 Gold Glove Awards. He was the league’s leader in home runs, stolen bases, and slugging percentage four times. It’s not bad at all.
41. Anthony Davis
Anthony Davis has reinvigorated his career with the Lakers, achieving career highs in field goal percentage (56.3%) and rebounds per game (12.5), securing a three-year, $186 million extension. After overcoming injuries that followed his 2020 championship win, Davis bounced back, leading the Lakers to the Western Conference finals from a play-in position. The key question for 2023-24 revolves around his health and maintaining eligibility for awards by playing at least 65 games.
Achieving this could place Davis in MVP and Defensive Player of the Year discussions, boosting the Lakers’ playoff prospects. His performances, including a 55-point game against the Wizards and a 44-point victory over the Bucks, underline his status as one of basketball’s most dominant two-way players when healthy.
40. Tiger Woods
American golfer Tiger Woods is one of the most popular and successful golfers of all time. Woods is second only to Jack Nicklaus in winning 14 major championships. Woods has won many other awards and honors.
Through the years, he had a few highly publicized incidents, including when he crashed his car on the golf course in 2009.
Fun Fact: Tiger met his current girlfriend, Erica Herman, while she was working at one of Tiger’s restaurants. They have been together ever since 2017.
39. Martina Navratilova
Martina Navratilova, a former Czech tennis player, is now retired. Navratilova was a Grand Slam singles champion and held 31 major women’s doubles titles, an all-time record.
She also won 10 major mixed doubles titles. In 2000, she was inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame.
38. Carl Lewis
Carl Lewis, a retired American track-and-field athlete, is known for his awarded nine Olympic gold medals. Eight of them were for individual events. He is one of three Olympians who has won four gold medals at an Olympic Games.
The other two Olympians are Jesse Owens and Michael Phelps. Lewis was inducted into the Track and Field Hall of Fame in 2012.
Fun Fact: The Dallas Cowboys drafted Carl Lewis in the 12th round as a wide receiver.
37. Diego Maradona
Diego Maradona is an Argentine soccer player. He was well-known for his ability to control and score for himself and his teammates.
He was a leader of club teams that won championships in Argentina and Spain. He also played on the 1986 World Cup-winning Argentina national team.
36. Venus Williams
American tennis player Venus Williams holds an all-time record of seven Grand Slam singles titles as well as 14 Grand Slam women’s doubles titles.
She is ranked World No. 1 in singles as well as doubles. In 2016, Williams was inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame.
35. Wayne Gretzky
Wayne Gretzky, a Canadian hockey player, is now retired. He was a hockey player for the Edmonton Oilers, Los Angeles Kings, St. Louis Blues, and New York Rangers. Gretzky is widely regarded as the greatest hockey player of all time.
Gretzky holds or shares 61 NHL records, including the most goals (894), assists (1,963), and points (2,857). Inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1999.
34. Deion Sanders
It is hard to believe that many of these lists do not even include Neon Sanders. He is undoubtedly one of the greatest athletes of all time. He was not only an outstanding NFL player (eight-time Pro Bowler, six-time All-Pro) but also a great Major League Baseball player.
He is the only person to have ever played in both a Super Bowl and a World Series. He was also a track star at college. He also played high school basketball.
33. Bo Jackson
Bo Jackson is considered the most outstanding athlete of all time. He was an All-Star in Major League Baseball and the National Football League. He is the only person named All-Star in Major League Baseball and the National Football League. He was awarded the Heisman Trophy in 1985 and inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1999.
Jackson was also an accomplished track and field athlete. He was also a skilled track and field athlete. We all know what he could have done if his career wasn’t ended by injury. Bo Jackson is undoubtedly the greatest athlete in sports history.
32. Javier Sotomayor
Javier Sotomayor Sanabria, Spanish pronunciation: [xa’bjer sotoma’jor]; was born October 13, 1967. He is the current world record holder in the high jump. He was the 1992 Olympic champion in the high jump. His best of 2.45m (8 ft 1/2 inches) is the highest of any person ever to exceed eight feet. Sotomayor won two gold medals at IAAF World Championships Athletics. He also won two silver medals. Between 1989 and 1999, he won four IAAF World Indoor Championships gold medals.
He also won three consecutive titles at the Pan American Games, 1987-1995. He is considered the greatest high jumper of all time. He was banned from the Olympics by Cuba in 1988 and 1988, and he suffered an injury in 1996 that cost him additional Olympic medals. However, he won the silver medal at Sydney’s 2000 Olympics. Sotomayor resigned in 2001.
31. Bob Beamon
Robert Beamon, born August 29, 1946, is an American former track and cross athlete. He is best known for breaking the world record in the long jump at the 1968 Mexico City Olympics. The existing record was broken by 55 cm (21 1/3 in.). His world record stood for nearly 23 years until it was broken by Mike Powell in 1991. It is the Olympic record for the longest legal wind jump and the second in history.
Soon after the Mexico City Olympics, Beamon received a draft by the Phoenix Suns in the 15th round 1969 NBA. However, he never played in an NBA match. Beamon is a member of the National Track and Field Hall of Fame. In 1983, the United States Olympic Hall of Fame began inducting athletes. Beamon was among the first to be inducted.
30. Travis Kelce
Travis Kelce, in his 10th NFL season, has revolutionized the tight end role, earning a spot among the all-time greats. He boasts a record 35 games with over 100 receiving yards, highlighting his game-changing capabilities. Kelce also joined an elite group by surpassing 10,000 career receiving yards, a testament to his consistent performance and durability. His postseason achievements are unparalleled, with records for receptions (133) and touchdowns (16) by a tight end, contributing significantly to two Super Bowl victories.
Kelce’s impact extends beyond stats, embodying leadership and excellence that inspire both teammates and fans. His blend of athleticism, skill, and football IQ redefines tight-end play, making him a standout in any ranking of top athletes, solidly within the top 30.
29. John Kirwan
Sir John James Patrick Kirwan, born December 16, 1964, is a New Zealand rugby union coach. He was also a former player of rugby union and rugby league. He was part of the New Zealand team which won the 1987 Rugby World Cup. His 35 tries were in 63 New Zealand tests. In their first two seasons, he also played rugby league with the Auckland Warriors.
Kirwan was the former coach of Super Rugby’s Blues and Japan and Italy’s national teams. He has been open about his struggles with depression in recent years and was honored for his contributions to mental health.
28. Richie McCaw
Richard Hugh McCaw, born December 31, 1980, is a former New Zealand rugby union player. McCaw captained the All Blacks for 110 of his 148 test matches, won two Rugby World Cups, and overtook Brian O’Driscoll’s record for most test rugby players. McCaw has been awarded the World Rugby Player Award of the Year three times.
He was elected captain of the All Blacks in 2004. He also led them to the 2007 World Cup. His captaincy was criticized after their defeat in the quarter-finals. However, he was kept and led the team to two consecutive World Cup titles in 2011 and 2015. He is one of twenty players who won two rugby union world cups.
27. Aaron Rodgers
Aaron Rodgers is a quarterback for the Green Bay Packers. He is widely regarded as one of the best players in the NFL. He has established himself as one of the greatest quarterbacks in league history. In the first round of the 2005 NFL Draft, Rodgers was drafted by the Packers, and he became the team’s starting quarterback in 2008. Since then, he has led the Packers to multiple playoff appearances, including a Super Bowl victory in 2010.
Rodgers is known for his strong arm, accuracy, and ability to make plays on the field. He has been named the NFL MVP twice and has been selected to the Pro Bowl nine times. In addition to his on-field accomplishments, Rodgers is known for his leadership and sportsmanship.
26. Mike Powell
Michael Anthony Powell, born November 10, 1963, is an American track and field athlete and the holder of the long jump world record. This two-time Olympic silver medallist is also a world champion in the event.
Powell was fifth in the long jump at the 1996 Olympics. He then retired but returned to the 2004 Olympics in 2001 to make the American team. Powell entered the Athletics New Zealand Track and Field Championships on March 7, 2015. Each jump was considered an attempt to break the World Masters record. Unfortunately, he suffered an injury during the warm-up and could not compete.
25. Pele
Born October 23, 1940, Pele was a Brazilian professional footballer who was a forward. He is considered one of the greatest football players of all time. According to the IFFHS, Pele is the greatest domestic league goal-scorer of all time, scoring 650 goals in 694 League matches and totaling 1281 goals over 1363 games. Pele was the highest-paid athlete during his playing career.
Pele started playing for Santos at 15 and for Brazil’s national team at 16. He was the only player to win three FIFA World Cups during his international career: 1962, 1970, and 1958. Pele retired in 1977, has been an ambassador for football worldwide, and participated in many commercial and acting ventures. He was elected Honorary President of New York Cosmos in 2010. He died at 82 on December 2022.
24. Nadia Comaneci
Nadia Comaneci, a retired Romanian gymnast, was the first gymnast ever to score a perfect 10 and went on to win three medals.
Comaneci was a pioneering gymnast in her sport and helped to popularize the sport around the globe.
23. Mike Tyson
At just 20 years old, he holds the record for the youngest boxer to win a heavyweight title. He was four months and 22 days. Tyson won his first 19 professional bouts by knockout or forfeit, 12 of which were in the first round. He was able to defend his titles nine times, including victories over Larry Holmes, Frank Bruno, and Frank Bruno. Tyson lost his title to Buster Douglas in 1990. He knocked Tyson out in the tenth. Mike Tyson, a boxing Hall of Famer, was well-known for his intimidating and ferocious style of boxing and his controversial behavior in and out of the ring.
Tyson, who was nicknamed “Iron” or “Kid Dynamite” during his early career and later “The Baddest Man on the Planet,” is widely considered to be one of the greatest heavyweights ever. Tyson holds the record for the longest unified heavyweight championship reign with eight consecutive defenses. After defeating Journeymen Danny Williams, Kevin McBride, and Tyson in successive matches, Tyson decided to quit boxing.
22. Magic Johnson
The Los Angeles Lakers selected Johnson as the first overall pick in the 1979 NBA draft. Johnson won a championship and the NBA Finals Most Valuable Player Award in his rookie season. He also won four championships with the Lakers in the 1980s. Johnson abruptly retired in 1991 after declaring that he had contracted HIV. However, he returned to the 1992 All-Star Game.
At 11.2, he is the NBA’s most-recognized player in average assists per match. In 1996, Magic Johnson was named among the 50 greatest players in the history of the NBA. He was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame for his individual career in 2002 and again as a member of “The Dream Team” in 2010. He made public his HIV-positive status in 1991, dispelling the myth that HIV is a “gay illness” that heterosexuals should not be concerned about.
21. Serena Williams
Serena Jameka Williams, born September 26, 1981, is an American professional tennis player. She was formerly the world No. 1. She is joint-third in all-time and second in the Open Era with her 39 major titles: 23 in singles, 14 in women’s doubles, and two in mixed doubles. The most recent player to win a Grand Slam title on all surfaces (hard, clay, and grass) within a single calendar year.
Williams holds the Open Era record for most titles won at both the Australian Open (76) and the US Open (6). With 343 matches, she holds the record for most women’s singles matches at majors. Williams and her sister Venus have won 14 Grand Slam doubles titles and are currently ranked No. WTA ranks Williams 8th in the world. The Williams sisters are credited with bringing a new era of power and athleticism to the professional tennis tour.
20. Larry Bird
Larry Joe Bird, an American ex-professional basketball player, coach, and Executive, is a former American basketball player. Bird, also known as “The Hick from French Lick,” is considered one of the greatest-ever basketball players. The Boston Celtics selected Bird as the sixth overall pick of the 1978 NBA draft.
Bird served as the head coach for the Indiana Pacers between 1997-2000. For the 2012 season, Bird was named NBA Executive Of The Year. Bird is the only NBA player named Rookie, Most Valuable Player, and NBA Finals MVP. He was also All-Star MVP, All-Star MVP Coach of the year, and Executive.
19. Roger Federer
Roger Federer, a professional Swiss tennis player, was born on August 8, 1981. He has been ranked world No.1 by the Association of Tennis Professionals for 310 weeks, with a record 237 consecutive weeks. He has been named the year-end No. 1 for 5 times and won 103 ATP singles titles, second only to Jimmy Connors. This includes 20 Grand Slam titles and a record number of Wimbledon singles titles.
Federer didn’t play since Wimbledon 2021 and was not among the top 50 players on June 13, 2022. Federer, however, announced that he would return to the tour at the 2022 Laver Cup in September. He lost his final match against Jack Sock, Frances Tiafoe, and long-time rival Rafael Nadal. This was his 1750th match on tour.
18. Stephen Curry
Stephen Curry, a transformative figure in basketball, has redefined the game with his unparalleled shooting skills. Coming off an impressive offseason, he’s eyeing his fifth championship title. Maintaining his No. 5 ranking for three consecutive years, Curry led the NBA in 3-pointers, showcasing his exceptional ability despite team challenges and injuries limiting him to 56 games.
The question for 2023-24 is whether Curry can contend for another MVP title, having previously finished third in the voting. Even at 35, his scoring prowess remains unmatched, sparking debate over his potential to surpass other MVP contenders. With the addition of Chris Paul, Curry’s game is set to evolve, promising a dynamic partnership that could elevate his status further in the league. His consistent performance and impact make him a pivotal figure in any ranking of the greatest athletes.
17. Jesse Owens
James Cleveland “Jesse” Owens was an American track and cross athlete who lived from September 12, 1913, to March 31, 1980. He was a four-time Olympic Games gold medalist. Owens was a sprint and long jump specialist and was considered “perhaps the greatest and best-known athlete in track-and-field history.” At the 1935 Big Ten track meet in Ann Arbor, Michigan, Owens set three world records and tied another. This feat was unmatched and has been called “the greatest 45 minutes in sports”. At the 1936 Summer Olympics in Berlin, Germany, he won four gold medals.
He was the Games’ most successful athlete. He was also credited with “singlehandedly crushing Hitler’s myth of Aryan supremacy” as a black man. However, he was not invited to the White House to shake hands. The Jesse Owens Award, USA Track, and Field’s highest honor is given to the best track and field athlete for the year. ESPN ranked Owens as the sixth-greatest North American athlete and the most highly-ranked in his field. He was one of six short-listed for the BBC’s Sports Personality of the Century in 1999.
16. Ronaldinho
Ronaldinho is a highly talented and accomplished Brazilian footballer who played as an attacking midfielder and winger. He is widely recognized as one of the most outstanding players in history, having won two FIFA World Player of the Year awards and a Ballon d’Or. Ronaldinho was known for his impressive technical skills, including his dribbling, creativity, and precision from free kicks, as well as his ability to score and create goals.
He was also known for using tricks and feints, no-look passes, and overhead kicks, which were developed during his early career playing futsal. Ronaldinho’s skill and popularity made him a global icon in the sport.
15. Bill Russell
Bill Russell is a retired American basketball player. Russell was a Boston Celtics player from 1956 to 1969. He is widely considered one of the most important players in the history of the National Basketball Association.
Russell was a great defensive player and helped the Celtics win an amazing 11 NBA championships. In 1975, he was inducted into The Basketball Hall of Fame.
14. Cristiano Ronaldo
Christiano Ronaldo, a Portuguese soccer player. He is currently a player for Real Madrid in Spain and is widely considered one of the best players in the world. Ronaldo is a remarkable scorer and has been awarded numerous awards. In 2008, he was named FIFA World Player of the year.
He has won 29 trophies, including six league titles and five UEFA Champions Leagues. Ronaldo is a prolific goal scorer and holds the records for the UEFA Champions League (126) and UEFA European Championship (9), as well as the European Championship (6) and Champions League (44 and 6) assists. He has 707 senior career goals, both for country and club. In 2018, he became the highest European international goal scorer. Time listed him as one of the 100 most influential people worldwide in 2014. Ronaldo is also the most-followed user on Instagram as of May 2019.
13. Rafael Nadal
Rafael Nadal Parera, a Spanish professional tennis player, was born on June 3, 1986. He is the world number 5 by the Association of Tennis Professionals and no. 1 for 209 consecutive weeks. He was named the Year-End No. 1 five times. The number of Grand Slam men’s singles titles won by Nadal is 21.
He has won 90 ATP singles titles. He also holds 62 clay titles. This includes a record of 13 French Open titles and 26 of his 36 Masters titles. His 81 consecutive clay wins are the longest streak of single-surface wins in the Open Era.
12. Novak Djokovic
Novak Djokovic, a Serbian professional tennis player, was born on May 22, 1987. The Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP) ranks Novak Djokovic as the world’s No. 1 male singles tennis player. Over 260 weeks, Djokovic has held the No. 1 spot in the ATP rankings. He has won seven Australian Open titles in majors, five Wimbledon titles, and three US Open titles. Djokovic became the eighth player to win the Career Grand Slam after his triumph at the 2016 French Open.
He is also the third man to hold all four major titles simultaneously, the first since Rod Laver (1969), and the first to do it on three surfaces. Djokovic is the only male player to win all nine Masters 1000 tournaments. He is a six-time ITF World Champion and a five-time ATP Year-End No. 1.
11.Don Bradman
Don Bradman was a renowned Australian cricketer known for his exceptional batting skills. His Test career batting average of 99.94 is considered one of the greatest achievements in sports history. Even after retiring from Test play in 1997, Bradman remained highly regarded, with Prime Minister John Howard referring to him as the “greatest living Australian.”
In addition to being honored on postage stamps and coins, a museum dedicated to his life was established during his lifetime. Current test records that are still held by Bradman: Highest Individual test batting average (minimum 15 innings) 99.94; Highest test batting average for a 5-test series 201.50 (v South Africa, Australia, 1931-32); Equal top-scorer of triple centuries (with Lara) 2; 5th wicket partnership (with Sid Barnes 1946-47) 405, just to mention a few.
10. Tom Brady
American football player Tom Brady was a quarterback for both the New England Patriots and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Brady led the teams to seven Super Bowl wins (6 for the Bucs).
He was also named Super Bowl MVP five more times. He is considered the greatest quarterback to have ever played the game.
9. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar was a 20-year National Basketball Association (NBA) veteran, playing for the Milwaukee Bucks and the Los Angeles Lakers. As a player on six NBA championship teams and an assistant coach on two more. Isiah Tom and Julius Erving both called him the greatest ever basketball player. AB’s contributions played a significant role in Lakers basketball’s “Showtime era.”
Abdul-Jabbar, who retired at 42 in 1989, was the NBA’s most successful player in terms of points scored (38.387), games played (57.1466), field goal attempts (28.307), blocked shots (3.189), defensive rebound (9.394), career wins (1.074) and personal fouls (4.657). In 2016, President Barack Obama presented him with the Presidential Medal of Freedom.
8. Wilt Chamberlain
Wilton Norman Chamberlain, born August 21, 1936, and died October 12, 1999, was an American basketball center. Chamberlain played as a center for the Philadelphia/San Francisco Warriors and the Philadelphia 76ers. He also played for the Los Angeles Lakers of the National Basketball Association. Chamberlain holds many NBA records in rebounding, scoring, and durability.
Chamberlain had many nicknames throughout his basketball career. Chamberlain hated nicknames that called attention to his height, like “Goliath” and “Wilt The Stilt.” Chamberlain was a professional basketball player. He later played volleyball for the International Volleyball Association. Chamberlain was a successful businessman who authored many books and appeared in the film Conan the Destroyer.
7. LeBron James
LeBron Raymone James Jr., born December 30, 1984, is an American professional basketball athlete for the Los Angeles Lakers (NBA). He has won three NBA championships and four NBA Most Valuable Player Awards. He also received three NBA Finals MVP Awards. He is widely considered to be one of the greatest players in basketball history. James was a basketball player at St. Vincent-St. Mary High School in Akron, Ohio.
He was a player for the Miami Heat between 2012 and 2014 and the Cleveland Cavaliers between 2016-2018. After opting out of his Cavaliers contract, he signed with the Los Angeles Lakers in 2018. This was one of American sports history’s most controversial free agent decisions.
6. Usain Bolt
Usain Bolt, a former Jamaican sprinter, is now retired. Bolt holds world records in the 100m, 200m, and 4×100 meters relay. Bolt is the only sprinter who has won Olympic 100 m, 200 m, and 4 x 100 meters relay gold medals at three consecutive Olympics (2008-2012 and 2016). He was an eleven-time World Champion and won consecutive World Championship 100, 200, and 4×100 m relay gold medals between 2009 and 2015.
Bolt holds the world record for 200m with 19.30 seconds. This was set in 2008 and 2009. Bolt, who opted out of the 100m and 200m races at the 2017 World Championships for athletics, retired. Bolt Mobility was founded by Bolt Mobility in 2018. It is an e-scooter company that can travel up to 15 mph. He announced that he would not pursue a football career in January 2019.
5. Muhammad Ali
Muhammad Ali was an American professional boxer and activist. In 1964, Ali defeated Sonny Liston to win the world heavyweight title. Ali refused to be drafted into military service in 1966 because of his religious convictions and opposition to the Vietnam War. Ali was essential in the civil rights movement as a symbol of racial pride among African Americans.
He was well-known for his trash-talking and was often freestyled with rhymes and spoken words poetry to anticipate elements of hip-hop. He made public his diagnosis of Parkinson’s syndrome in 1984. Some reports suggest that it was due to injuries sustained during boxing. He was 74 years old when he died on June 3, 2016.
4. Babe Ruth
George Herman “Babe” Ruth Jr., born February 6, 1895, and died August 16, 1948, was an American professional baseball pitcher whose 22-year career in Major League Baseball included two seasons. He was also known as “The Bambino” or “The Sultan of Swat.” His MLB career began as a left-handed star pitcher for the Boston Red Sox. Many consider him to be the greatest player in baseball history.
He was a Yankees’ pitcher for 15 years, helping the team win seven American League pennants and four World Series titles. Ruth was part of the Yankees’ famed “Murderers Row” lineup in 1927. He hit 60 home runs which increased his MLB single-season record. He was posthumously presented with the Presidential Medal of Freedom by President Donald Trump.
3. Michael Phelps
Michael Fred Phelps II, an American retired competitive swimmer, was born on June 30, 1985. He is the most decorated and successful Olympian, with 28 medals. Phelps holds the Olympic gold medals (23), Olympic individual gold medals (13), as well as the Olympic individual medals (16) all-time records. Phelps broke Mark Spitz’s 1972 record of seven first-place finishes in any Olympic Games. He won eight gold medals at the Beijing Games 2008. Phelps won four silver and two gold medals at the 2012 Summer Olympics.
Phelps won five gold medals and one silver at the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro. Phelps holds the long-term world record in the men’s 400-meter individual medley. He is also the former long-course world record holder for the 200-meter freestyle and 100-meter butterfly. Phelps retired after the 2012 Olympics. However, he returned to the sport in April 2014.
2. Michael Jordan
Michael Jeffrey Jordan, born February 17, 1963, is an American former professional basketball player. He is also the owner of the Charlotte Hornets. Jordan played in the NBA for 15 seasons and won six championships with the Chicago Bulls. Jordan is credited with popularizing the NBA during the 1980s and 1990s. Jordan holds the NBA records for having the highest career regular season scoring average and career playoff scoring average.
ESPN named him the greatest North American athlete of the 20th century, while Babe Ruth was second on the Associated Press’s list of athletes of the century. Jordan was instrumental in the launch of Nike’s Air Jordan sneakers in 1984.
1. Lionel Messi
Lionel “Leo” Andres Messi, born June 24, 1987, in Argentina, is a professional soccer player who plays for Paris Saint-Germain. He also captains Argentina’s national team. Messi is often considered the best player in the game and is widely regarded as one the greatest players of all time. He has won seven Ballon d’Or awards and six European Golden Shoes. In 2020, he was selected for the Ballon d’Or dream team. He spent his entire professional life with Barcelona before he left the club in 2021.
Messi won a club record of 35 trophies, including ten La Liga titles and seven Copa del Rey titles. He is a prolific goal-scorer and creative playmaker. He holds the records for the most goals scored in La Liga (474), the most hat-tricks in La Liga (36), the UEFA Champions League (8), and the most assists in La Liga (192) and European league seasons (21) as well as the Copa America (17).
Winning the 2022 World Cup
Lionel Messi is finally living up to his soccer destiny. The World Cup was the only trophy that the soccer superstar had not won throughout his distinguished career. This was until he took his nation, kicking and screaming, to Qatar. It was the end of a fairytale about the Rosario boy who became a global icon.
Argentina’s win over France ended a 36-year drought that had eluded the country since 1986 with Diego Maradona’s heroics. Messi lifted the trophy above his head to create a memorable, cherished photograph. While there will be endless debates about who is the best, one thing is sure: Messi and Maradona are worthy of a place on the pedestal.
How did he get to the top
Messi’s way to the top of global soccer started in 2005-06 when his performances earned him praise and a spot in Argentina’s World Cup squad. Messi can play as a forward or attacking midfielder and is destined to be one of the best players in the game. Barcelona is enjoying the fruits of his maturity at the highest level. At home in Argentina, he has earned the title of “the new Maradona.” Although it is not easy, he has managed to keep that problematic title.
When Messi scored an amazing goal against Getafe in the Copa del Rey in April 2007, comparisons to Diego Maradona were appropriate. Messi ran over half of the field, beating six other players before scoring the goal from an angle. It was reminiscent of Maradona’s famous goal against England in the 1986 World Cup quarter-finals. Since then, Messi has not stopped surprising and demonstrating tremendous skills that have helped him climb to the top of the world soccer pyramid and become one of the world’s most loved and respected players.
More Honorable Mentions:
Helen Glover
Helen Glover, MBE, born June 17, 1986, is a British professional rower. She is also a member of the Great Britain Rowing Team. She is the number one female rower worldwide, having been ranked as the Olympic champion, triple World champion, quintuple World Cup champion, and triple European champion.
She also set the world record for the 2014 World Rowing Championships and retained her world title at the 2015 World Rowing Championships, Lac d’Aiguebelette in France. in 2016, Glover set the World Rowing Cup record at Poznan and won gold again at the Olympics. She was awarded the BBC Olympic Superstars show.
Kevin Young
Kevin C. Young, born September 16, 1966, is an ex-American athlete. He won the 400m hurdles at the 1992 Summer Olympics. In the event’s final, he set an Olympic and world record for 46.78 seconds. This record is still unbeaten and was the first to break 47 seconds. The following year, he was the world champion in 400m hurdles. He won the 1993 World Championships in Athletics in 47.18 seconds.
His hurdling technique was unusual, switching between 12 and 13 strides in between hurdles. This was a departure from the 13-stride technique that Edwin Moses had popularized. Young’s performance declined after 1993. Inducted into the National Track & Field Hall of Fame, Young was inducted in 2006.
Ronaldo
Ronaldo Luis Nazario de Lima, also known as Ronaldo, or Ronaldo Nazario de Lima, is a Brazilian businessman, president of La Liga club Real Valladolid, and owner of Brasileiro Serie A club Cruzeiro. He was also a former professional footballer who played as a striking player. He is often referred to as O Fenomeno, or ‘The Phenomenon’.
Also known as R9, he is considered one of the greatest football players. Ronaldo was a multi-functional striker that added a new dimension and influence to the position. Ronaldo was named FIFA World Player of the Year 3 times and won two Ballon d’Or Awards.
Dominique Wilkins
Jacques Dominique Wilkins, born January 12, 1960, is an American former professional basketball player who primarily played with the Atlanta Hawks (NBA). Wilkins, a nine-time NBA All-Star, was widely considered one of the greatest dunkers in NBA history. He earned the nickname “The Human Highlight Film.” Wilkins was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2006.
Wilkins spent eleven seasons with the Hawks. He also played briefly with the Los Angeles Clippers and Boston Celtics. Wilkins was also a member of Panathinaikos Athens, a professional team in Greece’s top-tier Greek Basket League. Wilkins won his first title with Panathinaikos Athens. Fortitudo Bologna, a professional LBA team in Italy. Wilkins retired in 1999.
Sara Goller
Sara Goller, born May 21, 1984, in Starnberg, is a former professional German beach volleyball athlete. Goller was initially paired with Frederike Romaberg. She won the U20 European Championships at Salzburg. Then, she switched to Laura Ludwig, her current partner. Goller and Ludwig were the 2006 German champions. They won the U23 European Championships at St. Polten. They finished fourth in the women’s European Championships that year in Den Haag.
They continued their success in 2007 by defending their German title and winning silver at the European Championships in Valencia. Goller and Ludwig finished the 2007 season as the leaders in the German women’s ranking and were placed 7th overall. She also won 2 silver medals in the 2007 and 2009 European Beach Volleyball Championships. They participated in the 2008 and 2012 Summer Olympics, finished in 9th at the 2008 Olympics, and reached the quarter-finals of 2012.
Kobe Bryant
Kobe Bean Bryant, born August 23, 1978, and died January 26, 2020, was an American professional basketball athlete. His entire career was with the Los Angeles Lakers in the National Basketball Association (NBA). Bryant entered the NBA straight from high school and won five NBA championships. Bryant was an 18-time All-Star and a 15-time member of the All-NBA Team.
He was also a 12-time member of the All-Defensive Team. In 2008, Bryant was the NBA’s Most Valuable Player (MVP). As a US National Team player, he won two gold medals at the 2008 and 2012 Summer Olympics. Bryant was awarded the Best Animated Short Film Award in 2018 for his film Dear Basketball.