The 100 Greatest Professional Athletes of the 21st Century

Top 100 Athletes Of The 21st Century List: Celebrating Sporting Excellence

The 100 Greatest Professional Athletes of the 21st Century

The 21st century has been a remarkable era for sports, showcasing extraordinary talent across various disciplines. Athletes have not only redefined the limits of human performance but have also inspired millions around the globe. In this article, we present a comprehensive list of the top 100 athletes of the 21st century, highlighting their achievements and contributions to their respective sports.

From record-breaking performances to iconic moments, these athletes have left an indelible mark on the sporting world. Our selection is based on various criteria, including career achievements, impact on the sport, and overall influence. The following sections will delve into the profiles of these extraordinary individuals, giving you a deeper insight into their journeys and successes.

Whether you are a fan of basketball, football, tennis, or athletics, this list aims to celebrate the diversity of talent in the sporting arena. So, let's embark on this journey and explore the top 100 athletes of the 21st century!

Table of Contents

Criteria for Selection

The selection of the top 100 athletes of the 21st century was based on a combination of factors, including:

  • Career Achievements: Titles, records, and personal milestones.
  • Longevity: Duration of excellence in their respective sports.
  • Impact on Sport: Influence on the game and contribution to its popularity.
  • Charisma and Leadership: Ability to inspire teammates and fans alike.
  • Global Recognition: Status and recognition beyond their home countries.

Top 100 Athletes of the 21st Century

Here is the list of the top 100 athletes of the 21st century, in no particular order:

  1. Michael Phelps - Swimming
  2. Serena Williams - Tennis
  3. Tom Brady - American Football
  4. Usain Bolt - Athletics
  5. LeBron James - Basketball
  6. Roger Federer - Tennis
  7. Cristiano Ronaldo - Football
  8. Lionel Messi - Football
  9. Michael Jordan - Basketball
  10. Simone Biles - Gymnastics
  11. Novak Djokovic - Tennis
  12. Kobe Bryant - Basketball
  13. Stephen Curry - Basketball
  14. Rafael Nadal - Tennis
  15. Wayne Gretzky - Ice Hockey
  16. Michael Schumacher - Formula 1
  17. Andy Murray - Tennis
  18. Shane Warne - Cricket
  19. Kevin Durant - Basketball
  20. David Beckham - Football
  21. Usain Bolt - Athletics
  22. Saquon Barkley - American Football
  23. Maria Sharapova - Tennis
  24. Fernando Alonso - Formula 1
  25. Peyton Manning - American Football
  26. Allyson Felix - Athletics
  27. Serena Williams - Tennis
  28. Becky Lynch - Wrestling
  29. Virat Kohli - Cricket
  30. Tom Brady - American Football
  31. Shaquille O'Neal - Basketball
  32. Brett Favre - American Football
  33. Annika Sörenstam - Golf
  34. Jackie Robinson - Baseball
  35. Gretzky - Ice Hockey
  36. Billie Jean King - Tennis
  37. Jason Day - Golf
  38. Chris Gayle - Cricket
  39. Russell Westbrook - Basketball
  40. Naomi Osaka - Tennis
  41. Danica Patrick - Motorsport
  42. Andre Agassi - Tennis
  43. Floyd Mayweather - Boxing
  44. Mike Tyson - Boxing
  45. Carli Lloyd - Football
  46. Ronda Rousey - MMA
  47. Stephen Hendry - Snooker
  48. Kimi Räikkönen - Formula 1
  49. Yao Ming - Basketball
  50. Tim Duncan - Basketball
  51. Maradona - Football
  52. Jesse Owens - Athletics
  53. Hakeem Olajuwon - Basketball
  54. Steffi Graf - Tennis
  55. Francesco Totti - Football
  56. Katrina Adams - Tennis
  57. Martina Navratilova - Tennis
  58. John Elway - American Football
  59. John Stockton - Basketball
  60. Lindsey Vonn - Alpine Skiing
  61. Usain Bolt - Athletics
  62. Hope Solo - Football
  63. Jimmie Johnson - Motorsport
  64. Carmelo Anthony - Basketball
  65. Maria Menounos - Sports Entertainment
  66. Jeff Gordon - Motorsport
  67. Brandi Chastain - Football
  68. Dwayne Wade - Basketball
  69. Gina Carano - MMA
  70. Wanda Sykes - Comedy/Athletics
  71. Rafael Marquez - Football
  72. Oksana Chusovitina - Gymnastics
  73. Dan Carter - Rugby
  74. Khalid Al-Falih - Athletics
  75. Jordan Spieth - Golf
  76. Russell Wilson - American Football
  77. David Villa - Football
  78. Kevin Love - Basketball
  79. Marat Safin - Tennis
  80. Roberto Carlos - Football
  81. Michael Vick - American Football
  82. Jesse Lingard - Football
  83. Michael Clarke - Cricket
  84. David Ortiz - Baseball
  85. Ricky Ponting - Cricket
  86. Rory McIlroy - Golf
  87. Anna Kournikova - Tennis
  88. Vince Carter - Basketball
  89. Patrice Bergeron - Ice Hockey
  90. Samuel Eto'o - Football
  91. Roger Federer - Tennis
  92. Francesca Schiavone - Tennis
  93. Jürgen Klinsmann - Football
  94. Dirk Nowitzki - Basketball
  95. Patrick Mahomes - American Football
  96. LeBron James - Basketball

Biographies of Selected Athletes

Below are brief biographies of some of the top athletes on our list:

Michael Phelps

NameMichael Phelps
SportSwimming
Date of BirthJune 30, 1985
Achievements23 Olympic Gold Medals

Serena Williams

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The 100 Greatest Professional Athletes of the 21st Century
The 100 Greatest Professional Athletes of the 21st Century
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"Egregious mistake"; "ESPN needs to be liquidated" NHL fans bash
ESPN releases list of top 100 athletes of 21st century Kipchoge is
ESPN releases list of top 100 athletes of 21st century Kipchoge is
NameSerena Williams
SportTennis
Date of BirthSeptember 26, 1981