Top 25 Athletes of the 21st Century Revealed

ESPN compiled a list of the greatest athletes from 2000 onwards, voted by over 70,000 contributors. The final rankings span all sports and genders, showcasing a broad range of talent. Some big names like Cristiano Ronaldo, Lewis Hamilton, and Rafael Nadal didn't make the top 10, but the list still highlights extraordinary careers.

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

Kobe Bryant, one of basketball’s all-time greats, spent his entire career with the Los Angeles Lakers from 1996 to 2016. He won five NBA championships, was an 18-time All-Star, and earned the 2008 NBA MVP award. Bryant’s tragic death in 2020 left a lasting legacy worldwide.

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

The Jamaican sprinter Usain Bolt became a legendary Olympian with eight gold medals across three Games: Beijing 2008, London 2012, and Rio 2016. He is the only sprinter to win gold in both the 100m and 200m events multiple times, setting world records at a young age.

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

Tiger Woods has had a monumental career since turning pro in 1996. With 13 Major titles spanning the Masters, PGA Championship, US Open, and The Open, his influence on golf is profound. Woods entered the World Golf Hall of Fame in 2021.

• 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

At just 29, Simone Biles is one of the youngest on this list. She made history by winning four Olympic golds in Rio 2016 and continued her dominance with multiple medals at the Tokyo 2020 and Paris 2024 Games. Biles is widely regarded as one of gymnastics’ greatest ever.

• 2016 Rio: Gold in Team, All-around, Vault, Floor; Bronze in Balance beam
• 2020 Tokyo: Silver in Team; Bronze in Balance beam
• 2024 Paris: Gold in Team, All-around, Vault; Silver in Floor exercise

Roger Federer stands out as the only male tennis player in the top 10. Turning pro in 1998, he boasts a 82% winning rate over 1,500 matches. Federer won 20 Grand Slam titles, including eight Wimbledons, making him the most successful man at that tournament before retiring in 2022.

• 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 the record for the most Super Bowl victories with seven rings and five Super Bowl MVP awards. His NFL career spanned two decades, mostly with the New England Patriots and then Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Brady also earned three NFL MVPs and 15 Pro Bowls.

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

LeBron James is the highest-ranked basketball player here and remains active at 41. He has played for Cleveland Cavaliers, Miami Heat, Los Angeles Lakers, and soon Philadelphia 76ers. James is a four-time NBA champion, 22-time All-Star, and 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, spending most of his career at FC Barcelona, stands as the only footballer in the top 10. He won 10 La Liga titles and achieved international glory with Argentina, winning two Copa Americas, an Olympic gold, and a World Cup. Messi earned eight Ballons d'Or and retired from international play after the 2026 World Cup final.

• Argentina caps: 207
• Argentina goals: 125
• Honours: World Cup (1), Copa America (2), Olympic Gold Medal (1)

Serena Williams ranks second overall and tops the list for women. Her 23 Major titles place her second among all tennis players. Williams won 73 career titles and profoundly influenced tennis and sport worldwide.

• 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 medals including 23 golds. His record-breaking performances peaked at Beijing 2008 where he won eight golds and set seven world records. Phelps transformed swimming into a globally watched sport.

• 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