Greatest Athletes of all time: Most professional athletes are good at their sport—otherwise, they wouldn’t be professionals. Some are so exceptional that they set new standards and stand out. A few are truly extraordinary, influencing generations not just with their performance but also with their personality, determination, and strength. These athletes become unforgettable global icons.
We’ve picked outstanding athletes from various sports for this list. There are many more who could be included, especially in football, and no list can ever be complete. However, every athlete on this list has achieved something remarkable.
Key criteria for evaluating these iconic figures include:
- Dominance: Assessing how an athlete consistently excelled and dominated their sport.
- Impact: Evaluating their influence on the sport’s evolution and popularity.
- Legacy: Considering the enduring mark they have left on the sporting world.
- Versatility: Examining their ability to excel across various aspects or disciplines within their sport.
- Sportsmanship: Recognizing their contributions to the spirit of fair play and competition.
Greatest Athletes of all time
In this article, we’ll look at the greatest athletes of all time and their incredible achievements and contributions across different sports.
25. Stephen Curry
Stephen Curry is one of the greatest athletes ever. He’s part of the NBA’s 75th Anniversary team and has won four NBA championships. He was the 2022 Finals MVP, a 10-time All-Star, nine-time All-NBA, and the 2022 All-Star Game MVP. Curry also leads in career 3-pointers made and has been the league’s top scorer twice.
Though he was initially cautious about calling himself the greatest shooter, breaking the 3-point record in December 2021 made him more confident. He has changed basketball, with players copying his shooting style and teams focusing more on 3-pointers.
With four titles, 10 All-Star selections, nine All-NBA teams, and two MVP awards—show his huge impact on the game and secure his spot among the greatest athletes ever.
24. Sachin Tendulkar
Sachin Tendulkar is widely consider as one of cricket’s greatest athletes. He holds the record for the most runs in international cricket, with over 34,000 runs across Tests, ODIs, and T20Is.
Tendulkar also leads in international centuries, with 100 in total (51 in Tests and 49 in ODIs). His exceptional achievements and impact on the sport solidify his status as a cricketing legend.
23. Carl Lewis
Carl Lewis is an exceptional athlete with nine Olympic gold medals, including eight in individual events. Known for his dominance in the 100m, 200m sprints, and long jump, he is regarded as one of the greatest long jumpers ever.
Remarkably, Lewis remained undefeated in long jump for over 10 years and holds the world indoor record. He is also one of only three Olympians, alongside Jesse Owens and Michael Phelps, to win four gold medals in a single Games.
Inducted into the Athletics Hall of Fame in 2012, Lewis’ achievements cement his legendary status in athletics.
22. Tiger Woods
Tiger Woods is a renowned American golfer and one of the greatest in history. With 15 major championships, he’s the second-most decorated player, behind only Jack Nicklaus.
Woods has received Mnay awards and honors for his skills. However, his career has also seen controversies, notably a 2009 car accident linked to personal issues. Despite these challenges, Woods’ impact on golf remains profound.
21. Virat Kohli
Virat Kohli retired from T20I cricket after India won the 2024 T20 World Cup. He is a top batsman, known for playing with the Royal Challengers Bengaluru in the IPL. He is the highest run-scorer in IPL history and ranks highly in T20I and ODI runs.
He has won 1 ODI World Cup, two ICC Test mace awards, and was named ICC Cricketer of the Decade in 2020. Kohli has won 10 ICC Awards, including the ICC ODI Player of the Year four times and the Sir Garfield Sobers Trophy twice.
He was also listed among Time magazine’s 100 most influential people in 2018.
20. Steffi Graf
Steffi Graf is a tennis legend, ranks 20th on our list for her incredible achievements. With 22 major singles titles, the second-most in the Open Era for women, and the unique distinction of completing a calendar Grand Slam, Graf’s versatility and dominance are unmatched.
She held the world number 1 ranking for a record 377 weeks, showcasing her exceptional talent and longevity in the sport.
Graf’s remarkable career and lasting impact on tennis firmly establish her as one of the greatest athletes of all time.
19. Michael Schumacher
Michael Schumacher is a Formula 1 legend, deserves his spot in the top 25. With 96 race wins, 68 pole positions, and a unique record of finishing in the top three in every race of a season, his career is unparalleled.
Schumacher’s seven world championships, including five consecutive titles, and his impact beyond the track solidify his place as one of the greatest athletes of all time. His exceptional talent and dedication have left a lasting legacy in motorsports.
18. Serena Williams
Serena Williams is a tennis icon, claims the 18th spot on our list. Widely considered the greatest tennis player of the Open era, she has won 23 Grand Slam singles titles, the most in this era for women.
Williams also made headlines as the only woman among the highest-paid athletes in 2019. Her dominance and influence in the sport have solidified her status as a true sporting legend.
17. Wilt Chamberlain
Wilton Norman Chamberlain, standing 7 ft 1 in, is a basketball legend known for his extraordinary career. He holds 72 NBA records, including the only 100-point game in history.
Chamberlain won two NBA championships, four MVP awards, and was selected to 13 All-Star Games. Known for his dominance on the court, he also had a brief career in volleyball and appeared in the film Conan the Destroyer.
His impact on the game led to significant rule changes, and he remains a towering figure in basketball history.
16. Rafael Nadal
Rafael Nadal is one of tennis’s greatest players. He has won 22 Grand Slam titles, including a record 14 French Open titles.
Nadal completed a career Grand Slam by winning each major tournament by age 24 and also won a gold medal at the 2008 Olympics.
His achievements make him one of the top athletes of all time.
15. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar is one of the greatest basketball players ever. He played 20 NBA seasons with the Milwaukee Bucks and Los Angeles Lakers.
Abdul-Jabbar was a six-time NBA MVP, a 19-time All-Star, and a key player on six NBA championship teams. He also won two more championships as an assistant coach and was named NBA Finals MVP twice.
He retired as the NBA’s career scoring leader with 38,387 points, a record held until LeBron James surpassed it in 2023. Known for his skyhook shot, Abdul-Jabbar was also a three-time NCAA champion and had a successful career in various roles, including acting and writing. He received many honors, including the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2016.
14. Tom Brady
Moving up our list of the greatest athletes, we find Tom Brady. Known for his career with the New England Patriots, Brady has won 7 Super Bowls out of 10, a record that’s unmatched.
His achievements have made him a legendary quarterback and helped popularize the sport outside the U.S. Tom Brady’s influence and fame are likely to last for a long time.
13. Babe Ruth
George Herman “Babe” Ruth, known as “the Bambino” and “the Sultan of Swat,” was a legendary baseball player who played 22 seasons in MLB from 1914 to 1935. He started as a pitcher with the Boston Red Sox but became famous as a powerful outfielder for the New York Yankees.
Ruth set many records, including hitting 60 home runs in a season in 1927. He was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1936. Despite his off-field troubles, Ruth remains one of the greatest baseball players ever and a major figure in American culture.
12. Wayne Gretsky
In the 12th position on our list is Wayne Gretzky. He is a legendary ice hockey player from Canada. Known as the greatest hockey player of all time, Gretzky played for the Edmonton Oilers, Los Angeles Kings, St. Louis Blues, and New York Rangers.
Gretzky holds or shares 61 NHL records, including the most goals (894), assists (1,963), and points (2,857). His incredible achievements earned him a place in the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1999. His impact on ice hockey continues to inspire athletes worldwide.
11. Novak Djokovic
Novak Djokovic is widely considered one of the greatest athletes ever. He has achieved outstanding success in tennis, holding many records and consistently performing at a high level.
Djokovic has won 24 Grand Slam singles titles, the most by any male player. His wins include 10 Australian Open titles, 7 Wimbledon titles, 4 US Open titles, and 3 French Open titles. His remarkable achievements make him a top contender for the title of greatest athlete of all time.
10. Cristiano Ronaldo
Cristiano Ronaldo is widely seen as one of the best soccer players ever. He has achieved impressive feats, including being the second player ever to score over 100 international goals and the first European to do so.
Ronaldo has enjoyed great success with Manchester United and Real Madrid, as well as with Portugal in international competitions. His many titles and records make him one of the greatest athletes of all time.
9. Mike Tyson
Tyson, also known as Iron Mike, is considered one of the greatest athletes of all time. He was a dominant boxer in the 1990s, known for his incredible punching power and aggressive style.
Tyson became the undisputed heavyweight champion and is widely recognized as one of boxing’s all-time greats.
Tyson’s career had its controversies, including the infamous incident where he bit off a piece of Evander Holyfield’s ear. Despite this, his remarkable talent and impact in the boxing world secure his place among the top 25 greatest athletes ever.
His fierce skills and memorable moments in the ring have solidified his lasting legacy.
8. Lebron James
LeBron James is a famous basketball player from the United States. He has played for the Cleveland Cavaliers, Miami Heat, and Los Angeles Lakers, winning four NBA championships and two Olympic gold medals.
LeBron has also been named the NBA’s Most Valuable Player (MVP) four times. He is now the highest scorer in basketball history, surpassing Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. Many consider LeBron James one of the greatest basketball players ever, second only to Michael Jordan.
7. Roger Federer
Rounding off our list of the greatest sportsmen in history is the legendary tennis player, Roger Federer. While Nadal and Djokovic may eventually surpass him in records, Federer’s elegance and style on the court set him apart.
With a career spanning over 20 years, Federer’s rivalry with Nadal and Djokovic has thrilled tennis fans worldwide. His grace and lasting influence on the sport ensure his place among the greatest tennis players of all time.
6. Usain Bolt
Usain Bolt, the Jamaican sprinting legend, is a must-include on any list of the greatest athletes ever. Widely regarded as the best sprinter in history, he has won nine Olympic gold medals—three in the 100 meters, three in the 200 meters, and two in the 4×100 meters relay.
Bolt still holds the world records in the 100 meters, 200 meters, and 4×100 meters relay, showcasing his unmatched speed and athleticism. His remarkable achievements firmly establish him as one of the greatest sports legends of all time.
5. Pele
We now honor the greatest soccer player of all time, who scored an incredible 1,281 goals in 1,363 matches. He won three World Cups, although an injury cut his 1962 tournament short.
As a shining star in the world’s most popular sport, he rightly deserves a spot among the greatest sports figures of all time, embodying the true essence of a football legend.
4. Michael Phelps
Michael Phelps is undoubtedly one of the greatest athletes ever. He is the most decorated Olympian in history, with 28 Olympic medals, including 23 golds. He also has 26 gold medals from world championships.
Phelps’ incredible feat of winning 8 gold medals in 8 races at the 2008 Beijing Olympics stands as one of the most remarkable achievements in sports history. His dominance in swimming cements his place among the all-time legends.
3. Lionel Messi
Lionel Messi is undeniably one of the greatest footballers of all time. His rivalry with Cristiano Ronaldo is legendary.
Messi has achieved incredible success with Barcelona and Argentina, winning almost every major title. He has six European Golden Shoes and eight Ballon d’Or titles, making him one of the best in football history.
In Argentina, Messi is celebrated as a football legend, second only to Maradona. His legacy is secure and continues to shine.
2. Muhammad Ali
Muhammad Ali, originally known as Cassius Clay, is widely regarded as the greatest boxer of all time. He became the first triple-world boxing champion and is famous for his legendary fights against Joe Frazier and George Foreman.
Ali was also known for his strong political and social activism. He bravely opposed the Vietnam War and spoke out against it, making a lasting impact beyond boxing. His influence extends far beyond the ring, cementing his status as an iconic figure.
1. Michael Jordan
Michael Jordan is seen as the best athlete ever. He won six NBA championships with the Chicago Bulls and helped make the NBA popular.
Beyond basketball, he owns the Jordan brand, worth over $3 billion, and is the majority owner of the Charlotte Hornets. Many consider him the greatest athlete of all time.