The final list of the top 100 athletes of the twenty-first century has been made public by ESPN. The top 100 have been officially determined after being voted upon by more than 70,000 ESPN contributors. Voters were told that they may only take into account the athletes’ accomplishments from 2000 onwards. Additionally, the list is inclusive of all genders and sports, which creates a diverse and talented list.
There are definitely several extremely prolific athletes who have not made the top 10 because there is such a large pool of competitors to select from. The likes of Rafael Nadal, Lewis Hamilton, and Cristiano Ronaldo are among the more prominent exclusions. Nonetheless, voters have deemed the following selection of names to be the finest.
The Top 100 Athletes on ESPN (11-25)
Place
Name
Athletics
25.
Floyd Mayweather
Boxing
24.
Pujols, Albert
Baseball
23.
Garnett, Kevin
Basketball
22.
Crosby, Sidney
Hockey
21.
Diana Taurasi
Basketball
20.
Donald Aaron
NFL
19.
Hamilton, Lewis
Formula 1
18.
Mahomes, Patrick
NFL
17.
O’Neal Shaquille
Basketball
16.
Tim Duncan
Basketball
15.
Ledecky, Katie
Swimming
14.
Curry, Stephen
Basketball
13.
Ronaldo Cristiano
Football
12.
Rafael Nadal
Tennis
11.
Djokovic, Novak
Tennis
10Kobe Bryant
Basketball
Kobe Bryant, who is widely regarded as one of the best athletes to have ever played, has continuously demonstrated his skill on the court and is unquestionably one of the sport’s numerous icons. The Los Angeles Lakers were where the Basketball Hall of Famer played his whole career, which lasted from 1996 to 2016. Bryant was one of the best basketball players of all time during his playing career.
His accomplishments include being named the 2008 NBA MVP, an 18-time NBA All-Star, and a five-time NBA champion. Bryant would lose away in a tragic helicopter accident in 2020, but his memory will endure because his career surely influenced people all around the world.
The career statistics of Kobe Bryant
Played games
1,346
% of free throws
.837
Rebounds for each match
5.2
assists for each match
4.7
Points for each match
25.0
9Usain Bolt
Athletics
In addition to becoming one of the most successful Olympians of the twenty-first century, revered track star Usain Bolt became a treasured national figure in his home country of Jamaica. His record-breaking speeds cemented his legacy as a household name all across the world and among his vast achievements, Bolt attained eight Olympic gold medals while competing in three consecutive games: Beijing 2008, London 2012, and Rio 2016.
In addition to winning gold, Bolt, who AI ranked as one of the best Olympians of all time, set a world record for the 100-meter run at the young age of 21. The only sprinter to win gold in both the 100- and 200-meter events is Usain Bolt. His honours are simply unheard of.
Sportsman Usain Bolt’s record
Olympic Games
An occasion
Medal
Beijing, 2008
100 meters
Gold
Beijing, 2008
100 meters
Gold
London, 2012
100 meters
Gold
London, 2012
200 meters
Gold
London, 2012
Four 100-meter relays
Gold
Rio in 2016
100 meters
Gold
Rio in 2016
200 meters
Gold
Rio in 2016
Four 100-meter relays
Gold
8Tiger Woods
Golf
Tiger Woods is the owner of one of the most recognisable names in the golf industry. The American earned his spot on this prestigious list with a long and record-breaking career. He went from amateur to professional golf in 1996, and now, 28 years later, he has accomplished everything there is to know about golf.
Tiger Woods will be remembered by sports fans for decades to come as a 13-time Major champion in events like the Masters, PGA Championship, US Open, and The Open Championship. He was elected into the World Golf Hall of Fame in 2021. Fans are anxiously anticipating his comeback to action as his 15-year-old son Charlie is establishing himself.
Tiger Woods’ finest Major League performance
Rivalry
The outcome
The Masters
Accomplished: 1997, 2001, 2002, 2005, and 2019
The PGA Championship
Achieved: 1999, 2000, 2006, and 2007.
The US Open
Accomplished: 2000, 2002, 2008
The Open
Accomplished: 2000, 2005, 2006
7Simone Biles
Gymnastics
Given that the American gymnast is currently 27 years old, Simone Biles is the youngest name in the top 10 of this list. Biles made history by winning four Olympic gold medals in Rio de Janeiro, the joint-most by a female gymnast in a single Games, three years after winning her maiden national title in 2013 at the age of just 16. At the young age of 23, Biles won seven medals, including silver and bronze in 2020 and another bronze in 2016.
Biles, who was born in Columbus, is widely regarded as one of the greatest gymnasts of all time despite her childhood. Her success at the Olympics in Paris earlier this year, where she took home three gold and one silver medal, further supported those allegations.
Olympian Simone Biles’ record
Olympic Games
An occasion
Medal
Rio in 2016
Group
Gold
Rio in 2016
Overall
Gold
Rio in 2016
The Vault
Gold
Rio in 2016
Exercise on the floor
Gold
Rio in 2016
Beam of balance
Bronze
Tokyo in 2020
Group
Silver
Tokyo in 2020
Beam of balance
Bronze
Paris in 2024
Group
Gold
Paris in 2024
Overall
Gold
Paris in 2024
The Vault
Gold
Paris in 2024
Exercise on the floor
Silver
6Roger Federer
Tennis
Roger Federer is the only male tennis player in the top 10, defeating Andy Murray, Rafael Nadal, and Novak Djokovic. One of the most accomplished tennis players to ever set foot on the court, the Swiss became pro in 1998. To put his figures into context, he has won over 1,500 professional matches with an amazing 82% winning percentage.
Among his many achievements, he has won eight Wimbledon crowns and 20 Major championships, becoming him the most successful man in Wimbledon history. His genial demeanour has earned him the nickname “gentleman of tennis,” and he has controlled the game for years since he frequently led the “Big Three.”
The greatest Grand Slam accomplishments of Roger Federer
Rivalry
The outcome
The Australian Open
Successful years: 2004, 2006, 2007, 2010, 2017, and 2018
The French Open
Won: in 2009
Wimbledon
Gained victories in 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012, and 2017.
The US Open
2004; 2005; 2006; 2007; 2008; Won
5Tom Brady
American Football
Tom Brady is the most successful man in Super Bowl history. In addition to winning five Super Bowl MVP awards, the American has an incredible seven championship rings. Brady spent the most of his career with the New England Patriots, where he played from 2000 to 2019.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers then played for two years after this. Brady’s other notable achievements include being a 15-time Pro Bowler and winning three NFL MVP honours. Even those who do not follow the NFL closely will be aware of Brady’s career and his significant contribution to the sport’s rise to prominence.
Tom Brady’s career stats for the regular season
Played games
335
Note
251–82
Completed passes
7,753
Attempts at passes
12,050
Making touchdown passes
649
4LeBron James
Basketball
According to ESPN, basketball legend LeBron James is the best player in his sport. He is still playing in the NBA at the ripe old age of 40. He has played for teams in the upper echelons of the sport’s mythos, including the Miami Heat, Cleveland Cavaliers, and Los Angeles Lakers.
His notable achievements include becoming the all-time NBA scoring leader, a four-time NBA champion, and a 20-time All-Star. He is currently in his 21st year of professional play. James and Michael Jordan are regarded as two of the best basketball players of all time worldwide.
Career statistics for LeBron James as of December 31, 24
Played games
1,520
% of free throws
73.6
Rebounds for each match
7.5
assists for each match
7.4
Points for each match
27.1
3Lionel Messi
Football
Lionel Messi is the only football player who has ever broken the top ten. Since 2005, the most decorated footballer in history has added to his trophy collection annually. Messi, a 10-time La Liga champion during his time in Spain, spent the great bulk of his club career at FC Barcelona. During that time, he racked up a litany of individual gongs.
Messi, who is among the greatest football players of all time, has won two Copa Americas (2021, 2024), an Olympic Gold Medal (2008), and a World Cup while playing for his country. Messi is the player with the most individual Ballons d’Or among all players in the beautiful game.
The international career of Lionel Messi (as of 31/12/24)
Argentina’s caps
191
Argentina’s objectives
112
Argentina’s accolades
Olympic Gold Medal (x1), Copa America (x2), and World Cup (x1)
2Serena Williams
Tennis
Serena Williams, one of the most accomplished tennis players in history, placed second out of 100 competitors, demonstrating her unquestionable supremacy in the entire sport. The woman at the top of the list is a legend in the sport and will be remembered as one of the most significant female figures in tennis and the entire world.
Williams, the sister of Venus, has won 23 major titles, which is the second-most of any tennis player and incredibly impressive. When the tennis legend retired in 2022, she had won 73 titles overall during her professional career, and her 27-year career would forever alter the sports landscape.
The greatest Grand Slam performances by Serena Williams
Rivalry
The outcome
The Australian Open
Accomplished: 2003, 2005, 2007, 2009, 2010, 2015, and 2017
The French Open
Accomplished: 2002, 2013, 2015
Wimbledon
2002, 2003, 2009, 2010, 2012, 2015, and 2016 were the victories.
The US Open
Successful years: 1999, 2002, 2008, 2012, 2013, and 2014
1Michael Phelps
Swimming
Olympic great Michael Phelps is at the top of the list because he brought a lot of attention to swimming during his illustrious career. As he dominated the Olympics by doing what he does best—moving swiftly in the pool—the incredible 28-time medallist made history on multiple times and gained widespread recognition as one of the greatest athletes of all time.
He is the most decorated Olympian of all time, having won 23 gold medals out of his 28 total Olympic medals. Additionally, Phelps, who won eight gold medals in Beijing in 2008, holds the record for the most gold medals at a single Games. Phelps is one of the most amazing athletes to see since the beginning of time, having broken records in seven of his eight events.
The Olympic record of Michael Phelps.
Olympic Games
Gold
Silver
Bronze
Athens, 2004
6.
0
2.
Beijing, 2008
8.
0
0
London, 2012
4.
2.
0
Rio in 2016
5.
One
0
