Top 10 Greatest Athletes Of All Time
From Tennis to European football, we are lucky to have witnessed some of the top professionals in their respective sports over many years now. Determining the greatest athletes of all time is all about folks who have not only graced with their excellence in their respective sports but have also left a great mark on the world of athletics.
While the conversation is about athletes, there might be quite a few names that can come to your mind. But who are the top 10 greatest athletes of all time? In this blog, we will find out their names.
10 Greatest Athletes of All Time
Rank | Athletes | Sports |
1 | Michael Jordan | NBA |
2 | Serena Williams | Tennis |
3 | Lionel Messi | Soccer |
4 | Usain Bolt | Sprinting |
5 | Simon Biles | Gymnastics |
6 | Tom Brady | NFL |
7 | Michael Phelps | Swimming |
8 | Cristiano Ronaldo | Football |
9 | Tiger Woods | Golf |
10 | Muhammad Ali | Boxing |
1. Michael Jordan
Micahel is widely known as the finest basketball player in history. His unmatched set of skills and competitive drive has led the Chicago Bulls to six NBA championships in the 1990s. Jordan’s influence extended way beyond the court, elevating global popularity and inspiring countless athletes in the NBA.
Statistics | Value |
NBA Championships | 6 |
NBA Finals MVP Awards | 6 |
Regular Season MVP Awards | 5 |
All Star Appearances | 1.4 |
Career Points Per Game | 30.1 |
2. Virat Kohli
Taking the attention towards the cricketing world. If there is one name that many countries fear the most, it is the India’s very own Virat Kohli. Among lot of his quality attributes, he is especially known for his aggressive approach in the games along with delivering in the biggest stages internationally and domestically.
Be it the test cricket or T-20s, cricketing fans all over the world are lucky enough to witness the magic of Virat Kohli’s class with batting and captaincy.
Statistics | Value |
Test Cricket | 9230 |
ODI | 13906 |
t-20 | 4188 |
IPL | 8004 |
World Cup | 1 |
3. Lionel Messi
Lionel Messi is as popular as La Pulga. In the World of Football, he is the only player who have won it all. The Argentine has won the Ballon d’Or 7 times, surpassing his fierce competition Cristiano Ronaldo.
From his vision in the field to his unmatched dribbling and goal-scoring abilities, he has earned himself numerous accolades over the years. From the Camp Nou stadium to now in Inter Miami, his journey with football is nothing shorter than a masterpiece of an artist. La Pulga has a massive fan following in every corner of the world.
Statistics | Value |
Ballon d’Or | 7 |
UEFA Champions League Titles | 4 |
Domestic League Titles | 10 |
Career Goals | Over 700 |
Assists | Over 300 |
4. Usain Bolt
You have surely heard the name of the fastest man alive, Usain Bolt. Since you have, you also know that he is the fastest man alive who has dominated the sprinting events, holding records in the 100m and 200m. His charismatic personality and unprecedented speed have made him a worldwide icon in athletics.
Statistics | Value |
Olympic Gold Medals | 8 |
World Championship Golds | 11 |
100m World Record | 9.58 seconds |
200m World Record | 19.19 seconds |
Undefeated Seasons (100m/200m) | Multiple |
5. Novak Djokovic
We steer the attention towards Tennis this time. This list of top 10 athletes in the world is incomplete without the number 1 tennis player of the world, Novak Djokovic. The Serbian professional tennis player has reached the heights many players have dreamed of. When asked about the secret towards his successful career, the player always pointed out the support of his family.
National Championships | Value |
1st Serve Won | 74% |
2nd Serve Won | 56% |
Return Games Won | 32% |
Return Points Won | 42% |
Total Points Won | 54% |
6. Tom Brady
When the conversation is about American Football, Tom Brady is the name that will be in every discussion. He is considered the greatest quarterback in NFL history, with a record seven Super Bowl victories. His longevity and consistent high-level performance have set new standards in professional football.
Statistics | Value |
Super Bowl Titles | 7 |
Super Bowl MVP Awards | 5 |
NFL MVP Awards | 3 |
Career Touchdown Passes | Over 600 |
Career Passing Yards | Over 80,000 |
7. Michael Phelps
Michael Phelps is known as the most decorated Olympian of all time, with 28 medals, including 23 golds. The swimmer’s dominance in the pool across various events and Olympics is unparalleled.
Statistics | Value |
Olympic Medals | 28 |
World Records Set | 39 |
Olympic Gold Medals | 23 |
World Championship Golds | 26 |
Olympic Events Completed | 30 |
8. Cristiano Ronaldo
If there is one athlete who is the inspiration of a generation, it is CR7. Cristiano’s athleticism, goal-scoring prowess, and versatility have made him one of the greatest in football. He is a true example of dedication and discipline.
Both Cristiano and Messi have shared the top stage of Football for over a decade. To this day, it is talked about among the fans across the world and surely the rivalry will be in the history pages forever.
With five Ballon d’Or awards and many titles across the top leagues of Europe, his impact on the sport is profound. As of right now, he is the top scorer across all football competitions.
Statistics | Value |
Ballon d’Or Awards | 5 |
UEFA Champions League Titles | 5 |
Domestic Titles | 7 |
Career Goals | 790+ |
International Goals | 130+ |
9. Tiger Woods
Tiger Woods is the name that revolutionized golf with his unprecedented success and popularity. With 15 major championships, he is second only to Jack Nicklaus, and his influence has brought a new audience to the sport.
While certain footballers had to hang his boots to make a name in golf, there is Tiger Woods, who has taken golf to new heights.
Statistics | Value |
Major Championships | 15 |
PGA Tour Wins | 82 |
Weeks as World No. 1 | 683 |
Player of the Year Awards | 11 |
Career Grand Slams | 3 |
10. Muhammad Ali
Fly like a butterfly and sting like a bee! You must have heard this phrase at a certain time in your life. That is Muhammad Ali for you.
As Mike Tyson said, every head must bow down to the greatest of all time. And he was and still is the goat of boxing. Muhammad Ali’s natural record is unmatched to this day. His final record is 56 wins and 5 losses with 37 knockouts. He is the boxing immortal!
Statistics | Value |
Matches | 61 |
Wins | 56 |
Losses | 5 |
Knockouts | 37 |
Heavyweight Boxing Champion | Thrice |
So, these are the top 10 greatest athletes of all time. From football to golf, these names have led by example and taken their sport to the highest of heights in their tenure.
Also Read: Top Five Youngest FIFA World Cup Winners
Q. Who is considered the greatest athlete of all time?
A. The answer varies as per the metrics or factors you are looking at the question with. There are athletes like Michael Jordan, Cristiano Ronaldo, and Serena Williams among others who have shown unparalleled dominance in their sports.
Q. Who is statistically the greatest sportsman of all time?
A. Due to the accolades, Michael Phelps is the greatest sportsman of all time.
Q. Who is the best Olympian ever?
A. With 28 medals across five Olympic games, Michael Phelps is the best Olympian ever. His 23 gold medals remain unmatched in the Olympic’s history.
Q. Is Messi the greatest sportsman of all time?
A. If we take a look at it in terms of the Ballon d’Or, yes Lionel Messi is the GOAT.
However, in European football, there are other metrics out there that suggest different individuals as the greatest of all time.