The realm of sports history is replete with legendary figures whose remarkable achievements have transcended time and left an indelible mark on the annals of human accomplishment. So, in this guide, we will be discussing the top 10 greatest athletes of all time whose remarkable achievements have left an indelible mark on humans.
There are so many great athletes to choose from, and each one has his/her own unique set of accomplishments. However, there are a few athletes who stand out above the rest. These athletes have achieved incredible feats of dominance and athleticism, and they have inspired millions of fans around the world.
The athletes on this list have all achieved greatness in their respective sports. They have broken records, won championships, and inspired others to reach their full potential. They are all role models for young athletes, and they will be remembered for their accomplishments for generations to come.
Top 10 Greatest Athletes Of All Time
The table below contains the names, sports played and accomplishments of the top 10 greatest athletes of all time
| Rank | Athlete | Sport | Accomplishments |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Michael Jordan | Basketball | 6 NBA championships, 6 NBA Finals MVP awards, 5 NBA MVP awards |
| 2 | Muhammad Ali | Boxing | 3-time world heavyweight champion, Olympic gold medalist |
| 3 | Wayne Gretzky | Ice hockey | 9 Hart Memorial Trophies (most valuable player), 4 Stanley Cups |
| 4 | Pelé | Football | 3 World Cups, 2 World Cup Golden Boots |
| 5 | Diego Maradona | Football | 1 World Cup, 1 FIFA World Player of the Year award |
| 6 | Lionel Messi | Football | 1 World Cup, 7 Ballon d’Or awards, 35 trophies with Barcelona |
| 7 | Cristiano Ronaldo | Football | 5 Ballon d’Or awards, 4 European Golden Shoes, 32 trophies |
| 8 | Serena Williams | Tennis | 23 Grand Slam singles titles, 4 Olympic gold medals |
| 9 | Usain Bolt | Athletics | 8 Olympic gold medals, 11 world records |
| 10 | Tiger Woods | Golf | 15 major championships, 82 PGA Tour wins |
1. Michael Jordan
Michael Jordan is widely considered to be one of the greatest athletes of all time. He played basketball for the Chicago Bulls of the National Basketball Association (NBA) from 1984 to 2003.
During his 15-year career, he won six NBA championships, six NBA Finals MVP awards, and five NBA MVP awards. He also averaged 30.1 points per game for his career, which is the most in NBA history.
Jordan was a great defender and a versatile scorer. He could shoot the three-pointer, drive to the basket, and post up smaller defenders. He was a global icon and helped to popularize basketball around the world.
In 2016, Jordan was named to the NBA’s 75th Anniversary Team as one of the 15 greatest players in league history. He is also a member of the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. There is no doubt that Michael Jordan is one of the top 10 greatest athletes of all time.
2. Muhammad Ali
Muhammad Ali was a three-time heavyweight boxing champion, and he is often called “the greatest”.
Ali was known for his incredible speed, his flamboyant personality, and his social activism. He was also a gifted boxer, with a devastating punch and a fluid fighting style.
In 1960, he won the gold medal in the light heavyweight division at the Olympic Games in Rome. After the Olympics, Ali turned professional and quickly became one of the most popular boxers in the world.
He won his first heavyweight title in 1964, defeating Sonny Liston in a stunning upset. Ali went on to defend his title nine times, and he defeated some of the greatest boxers of all time, including Joe Frazier, George Foreman, and Larry Holmes.
Muhammad Ali died in 2016 at the age of 74. He is considered to be one of the greatest athletes of all time, and he is also remembered as a civil rights icon and a global humanitarian.
3. Wayne Gretzky
Wayne Gretzky is widely considered to be the greatest ice hockey player of all time. He played in the National Hockey League (NHL) for 20 seasons, from 1979 to 1999.
During his career, he won four Stanley Cups, four Hart Memorial Trophies (most valuable player), and nine Art Ross Trophies (leading scorer). He also holds the NHL records for most goals scored (894), most assists (1,963), and most points (2,857).
4. Pelé
Pelé is a Brazilian retired professional footballer who played as a forward. He is widely considered to be one of the greatest footballers of all time, and he is often called “the king of football”.
Pelé was born Edson Arantes do Nascimento on October 23, 1940, in Três Corações, Minas Gerais, Brazil. He began playing football at a young age, and he quickly showed that he was a natural talent. He made his professional debut for Santos in 1956, and he quickly became one of the most popular players in Brazil.
Furthermore, he won three FIFA World Cups with Brazil in 1958, 1962, and 1970. He is the only player to have won the World Cup three times. He also won the Ballon d’Or award in 1958 and 1970.
Pelé retired from football in 1977. He scored 1,279 goals in 1,363 games in his career, which is a world record. He is also the all-time leading scorer for Brazil with 77 goals.
Pelé is a national hero in Brazil, and he is considered to be one of the greatest athletes of all time. He is a global icon, and he has inspired millions of people around the world.
5. Diego Maradona
Diego Maradona was an Argentine professional footballer who played as a forward. He is widely considered to be one of the greatest footballers of all time, and he is often called “the greatest of all time”.
Maradona moved to Boca Juniors in 1981, and he helped the club win the Argentine Primera División championship in 1981 and 1982. He also won the Copa Libertadores in 1981.
In 1984, Maradona was transferred to Napoli for a world-record fee of £6.9 million. He helped Napoli win the Serie A championship in 1987, 1990, and 1991. He also won the Coppa Italia in 1987, 1989, and 1990.
Maradona played for Argentina in the 1986 FIFA World Cup. He scored two of the most iconic goals in World Cup history, the “Hand of God” goal and the “Goal of the Century”. Argentina won the World Cup, and Maradona was named the player of the tournament.
6. Lionel Messi
Lionel Messi is an Argentine professional footballer who played as a forward for Ligue 1 club Paris Saint-Germain and is now a forward for Major League Soccer (MLS) club Inter Miami CF.
Messi is widely considered to be one of the greatest footballers of all time. Messi has also won the Ballon d’Or award a record seven times, and he has won the European Golden Shoe a record six times. He has also won the FIFA World Player of the Year award once.
He began his career at Newell’s Old Boys in Argentina, but he moved to Barcelona at the age of 13. Messi made his Barcelona debut in 2003, and he quickly became one of the best players in the world. He has won 35 trophies with Barcelona, including the La Liga championship 10 times and the UEFA Champions League four times.
Messi is a diminutive player, but he is incredibly skilful and quick. He is also a great passer and a visionary player. More so, he is able to see passes that other players cannot see, and he is able to create chances for his teammates.
7. Cristiano Ronaldo
Cristiano Ronaldo is a Portuguese professional footballer who plays as a forward for Saudi Professional League club Al Nassr and captains the Portugal national team.
He is widely regarded as one of the greatest footballers of all time, and he is often included in lists of the top 10 greatest athletes of all time. Ronaldo has won five Ballon d’Or awards, the most for a European male player.
Ronaldo has also won three Premier League titles, one UEFA Champions League title, and one FIFA Club World Cup with Manchester United; two La Liga titles, four UEFA Champions League titles, and four FIFA Club World Cups with Real Madrid; and one Serie A title with Juventus.
He is also the all-time leading scorer for Portugal. Ronaldo is a physical player who is known for his speed, power, and athleticism. He is also a good dribbler and a clinical finisher.
8. Serena Williams
Serena Williams is an American professional tennis player who is widely regarded as one of the greatest tennis players of all time. She has won 23 Grand Slam singles titles, the most in the Open Era and the second-most in history behind Margaret Court.
She has also won 14 Grand Slam doubles titles and 2 Grand Slam mixed doubles titles. Williams turned professional in 1995, and she quickly rose to the top of the rankings.
Williams is known for her powerful serve and her aggressive style of play. She is also a very mentally tough player, and she has been able to overcome injuries and setbacks to continue to win at the highest level.
Serena Williams is a global icon, and she is one of the most popular athletes in the world. She is a role model for young girls, and she has inspired millions of people around the world. There is no doubt that Serena Williams is one of the greatest athletes of all time, and she will continue to be talked about for years to come.
Conclusion
In conclusion, there are many great athletes who could be considered the top 10 greatest athletes of all time. Some of the most commonly mentioned athletes include Michael Jordan, Muhammad Ali, Wayne Gretzky, Usain Bolt, Pelé, Diego Maradona, Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, and Serena Williams.
These athletes have all achieved incredible things in their respective sports, and they have inspired millions of people around the world. Ultimately, it is up to each individual to decide who they believe is the greatest athlete of all time.
