Top 25 Athletes of the 21st Century Revealed

ESPN finalized a list of the top 100 athletes of the 21st century in 2024, based on votes from over 70,000 contributors. Voters were asked to consider achievements from 2000 onwards, spanning all genders and sports, resulting in a diverse lineup of sporting legends.

Many remarkable athletes missed the top 10, including Cristiano Ronaldo, Lewis Hamilton, and Rafael Nadal. Here we explore the leading 25 names, showcasing a variety of talent across disciplines.

ESPN's Top 100 Athletes (Positions 25-11)

• 25. Floyd Mayweather - Boxing
• 24. Albert Pujols - Baseball
• 23. Kevin Garnett - Basketball
• 22. Sidney Crosby - Hockey
• 21. Diana Taurasi - Basketball
• 20. Aaron Donald - NFL
• 19. Lewis Hamilton - Formula 1
• 18. Patrick Mahomes - NFL
• 17. Shaquille O'Neal - Basketball
• 16. Tim Duncan - Basketball
• 15. Katie Ledecky - Swimming
• 14. Stephen Curry - Basketball
• 13. Cristiano Ronaldo - Football
• 12. Rafael Nadal - Tennis
• 11. Novak Djokovic - Tennis

Top 10 Athletes Detailed

Kobe Bryant is remembered as one of basketball's greatest icons. His entire NBA career was with the Los Angeles Lakers from 1996 to 2016, earning five NBA championships and 18 All-Star appearances. He was the NBA MVP in 2008. Bryant’s tragic death in 2020 marked a huge loss, but his influence remains global.

• Games played: 1,346
• Free-throw percentage: .837
• Rebounds per game: 5.2
• Assists per game: 4.7
• Points per game: 25.0

Usain Bolt stands as one of the most celebrated Olympians ever, famed for his unmatched sprinting speed. Representing Jamaica, he secured eight Olympic gold medals across Beijing 2008, London 2012, and Rio 2016, dominating both 100m and 200m events and relays.

• 2008 Beijing 100m: Gold
• 2008 Beijing 4x100m relay: Gold
• 2012 London 100m: Gold
• 2012 London 200m: Gold
• 2012 London 4x100m relay: Gold
• 2016 Rio 100m: Gold
• 2016 Rio 200m: Gold
• 2016 Rio 4x100m relay: Gold

Tiger Woods transformed golf with a long, record-filled career starting as a pro in 1996. He claimed 13 Major titles, including multiple Masters, PGA Championships, US Opens, and Open Championships. His 2021 induction into the World Golf Hall of Fame confirms his lasting legacy.

• The Masters Wins: 1997, 2001, 2002, 2005, 2019
• PGA Championship Wins: 1999, 2000, 2006, 2007
• US Open Wins: 2000, 2002, 2008
• The Open Wins: 2000, 2005, 2006

Simone Biles, currently 29, rose quickly in gymnastics. At 16, she won her first national title. She made history in Rio 2016 with four gold medals, adding silver and bronze medals in Tokyo 2020 and three golds plus a silver in Paris 2024, making her one of the best gymnasts ever.

• 2016 Rio: 4 Gold, 1 Bronze
• 2020 Tokyo: 1 Silver, 1 Bronze
• 2024 Paris: 3 Gold, 1 Silver

Roger Federer is the only male tennis player in the top 10. Turning pro in 1998, he won 20 Grand Slam titles and holds an 82% win rate over 1,500 matches. His record eight Wimbledon titles make him the most successful man there. Federer retired in 2022, known also for his sportsmanship.

• Australian Open Wins: 2004, 2006, 2007, 2010, 2017, 2018
• French Open Win: 2009
• Wimbledon Wins: 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012, 2017
• US Open Wins: 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008

Tom Brady holds a record seven Super Bowl victories and earned MVP honors five times. His main tenure was with the New England Patriots (2000–2019), followed by two years at Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Brady's three NFL MVP awards and 15 Pro Bowls show his dominance.

• Games played: 335
• Record: 251-82
• Passes completed: 7,753
• Passes attempted: 12,050
• Passing touchdowns: 649

LeBron James ranks highest in basketball on this list. At 41 and still active, he's played for Cleveland Cavaliers, Miami Heat, Los Angeles Lakers, and soon Philadelphia 76ers. He has four NBA championships, 22 All-Star nods, and is the NBA's all-time leading scorer.

• Games played: 1,622
• Free-throw percentage: 73.7%
• Rebounds per game: 7.5
• Assists per game: 7.4
• Points per game: 26.8

Lionel Messi is the only footballer in the top 10. Spending most of his career at FC Barcelona, he won ten La Liga titles and numerous individual awards. Internationally, Messi helped Argentina secure two Copa Americas, a 2008 Olympic gold, and a World Cup. He scored eight goals and assisted four in the 2026 World Cup before retiring internationally at 39.

• Argentina Caps: 207
• Argentina Goals: 125
• Argentina Honors: World Cup (1), Copa America (2), Olympic Gold (1)

Serena Williams ranks second, recognized for dominating tennis and inspiring globally. With 23 Major titles, she's second only to Margaret Court. Williams won 73 professional titles and redefined women's tennis alongside her sister Venus.

• Australian Open Wins: 2003, 2005, 2007, 2009, 2010, 2015, 2017
• French Open Wins: 2002, 2013, 2015
• Wimbledon Wins: 2002, 2003, 2009, 2010, 2012, 2015, 2016
• US Open Wins: 1999, 2002, 2008, 2012, 2013, 2014

Michael Phelps tops the list as the most decorated Olympian ever, with 28 Olympic medals including 23 golds. At the 2008 Beijing Games, he won eight golds, setting records in seven events. His career spanned four Olympics, cementing his legacy in swimming and sport overall.

• 2004 Athens: 6 Gold, 0 Silver, 2 Bronze
• 2008 Beijing: 8 Gold, 0 Silver, 0 Bronze
• 2012 London: 4 Gold, 2 Silver, 0 Bronze
• 2016 Rio: 5 Gold, 1 Silver, 0 Bronze