11 Most Famous Athletes of All Time [Ranked]

Every athlete aspires to reach the peak of their sport, whether it's lifting a World Cup, earning Olympic gold, or winning a Super Bowl ring. Professional athletes often have a clear goal in mind, striving for excellence in their respective fields.

While many attempt to reach these heights, only a select few succeed. Even rarer are those who manage to stay at the top for an extended period. Those who do often combine natural talent with relentless dedication and effort, ultimately earning a place among the greatest athletes in history.

Such success brings fame and recognition, especially in the digital age where social media amplifies the accomplishments of these stars. With this in mind, Betimate has compiled a list of the 11 most famous athletes from various sports, ranking them based on the following criteria:

• Major honours and individual awards
• Statistical achievements (appearances, goals, points, fights won, etc.)
• The impact they’ve had on their sport and the global sporting community.

11. Wayne Gretzsky

Ice Hockey

Wayne Gretzky, widely regarded as one of the greatest hockey players of all time, was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame after retiring in 1999 as the NHL's all-time leading scorer. With 894 regular season goals and 1,016 including playoffs, Gretzky's career spanned over two decades and four teams.

Although he spent the majority of his time with the Edmonton Oilers, he also had memorable stints with the LA Kings, St. Louis Blues, and New York Rangers before retiring.

At the time of his retirement, Gretzky held 61 NHL records, and as of 2024, he still holds or shares 57 of them. One of his standout achievements is becoming the fastest player to reach 1,000 points, doing so in just 424 games. Throughout his illustrious career, he also won four Stanley Cups during a dominant five-year stretch from 1984 to 1988. Despite ranking 71st on the all-time goals list, Gretzky remains one of the most iconic names in the history of ice hockey.

10. Roger Federer

Tennis

Roger Federer is widely regarded as one of the greatest tennis players of all time. Alongside Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic, he is one of only three players to have won 20 or more Grand Slam titles, with eight of those victories coming on the iconic grass courts of Wimbledon.

The Swiss maestro, known for his graceful playing style, remains one of the most beloved figures in the sport, even two decades after securing his first Grand Slam title in 2003 by defeating Mark Philippoussis. Federer held the world number one ranking for a total of 310 weeks, including an impressive 237 consecutive weeks at the top.

Throughout his illustrious career on the ATP Tour, Federer amassed over 1,000 wins. He also earned two Olympic medals: a gold in men's doubles at the 2008 Beijing Olympics and a silver in men's singles at the 2012 London Olympics.

9. Usain Bolt

Athletics

Usain Bolt could have been a triple Olympic champion in three different sprinting disciplines if not for a doping scandal involving one of his teammates after Jamaica's 4x100m relay victory at the 2008 Beijing Olympics.

Despite that setback, Bolt still boasts an impressive eight Olympic golds. He won the 100m and 200m races at the Beijing 2008, London 2012, and Rio 2016 Games. Additionally, Jamaica's 4x100m team secured redemption by winning gold in both London and Rio, adding two more golds to Bolt's tally.

To this day, Bolt's world-record times of 9.58 seconds in the 100m and 19.19 seconds in the 200m remain unmatched, leaving a lasting legacy in athletics. These record-breaking feats, which stunned the sporting world, cement his place among the top 25 athletes of the 21st century.

8. Tom Brady

American Football

Tom Brady is the only player in NFL history to have won seven Super Bowl rings. To put that into perspective, no other player or team has matched that achievement. Brady earned all six of the New England Patriots' Super Bowl titles, while the Pittsburgh Steelers are the only other team to have claimed six championships.

Drafted in 2000 as the 199th pick, Brady was never expected to reach the heights he did. Initially a fourth-string quarterback behind starter Drew Bledsoe, he gradually moved up the depth chart. When Bledsoe was injured, Brady seized his opportunity, and from that moment on, he never looked back. After 23 seasons, Brady retired as the NFL's all-time leader in passing yards with 89,214. Now, he serves as part-owner of the Las Vegas Raiders while also stepping into a broadcasting role.

7. Serena Williams

Tennis

The only female athlete on this list, Serena Williams, is one of the most recognizable figures in global sports. Having retired from professional tennis in recent years, Williams concluded her illustrious 18-year career with 23 Grand Slam singles titles, 73 career titles overall, and 367 match wins.

A true force of nature, Williams dominated the sport not only in singles but also in doubles alongside her sister, Venus, who herself claimed seven Grand Slam titles. Perhaps her most remarkable feat is her 23-10 record in Grand Slam finals. Additionally, her career win-loss record of 367-56 places her sixth in all-time win percentage among female players with a minimum of 50 wins, at 86.76%. What sets her apart is that she won over 60 more matches than any of the players ranked above her in percentage, further solidifying her legacy as the greatest female tennis player of all time. Celebrated globally, Williams' impact extends far beyond the court.

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6. Tiger Woods

Golf

Tiger Woods captured the attention of the golf world—and the entire sporting community—from an incredibly young age. By the age of five, news clips were already highlighting him as a golf prodigy, and by 14, he had won the Junior World Championship five times. At just 19 years old, Woods made his senior debut, and within two years, he claimed his first Masters title, setting the stage for one of the most illustrious careers in golf history.

With 82 PGA Tour victories and 15 Major championships, including five Masters titles, Woods has firmly cemented his legacy. Widely regarded as arguably the greatest golfer of all time, his name is not only synonymous with the sport but also represents a global icon who transformed the perception and popularity of golf.

5. Muhammad Ali

Boxing

You don’t need to be a boxing fan to recognize the name Muhammad Ali. Widely regarded as the greatest heavyweight boxer of all time, Ali entered the ring 61 times during his legendary career, securing victory in 56 of those bouts, with 37 coming by way of knockout.

Boxing, one of the most grueling sports both physically and mentally, served as the perfect stage for Ali to showcase his unparalleled resilience and toughness. He became renowned for his refusal to back down, even against the most formidable opponents, and his ability to persevere through challenging fights.

In the ring, Ali dazzled with his agility, lightning-fast footwork, and impeccable defensive skills. Outside the ropes, he was equally iconic—an outspoken, charismatic figure who transcended sports and became a symbol of confidence, activism, and cultural significance.

4. Lionel Messi

Football

Lionel Messi has achieved what few can claim—he has completed football. After winning every major trophy at the club level, he turned his focus to international glory, first lifting the Copa América and then cementing his legacy by almost single-handedly leading Argentina to a historic World Cup triumph in 2022.

Spending the majority of his illustrious career at Barcelona before moving to Paris Saint-Germain and later to Inter Miami in the MLS, Messi has captivated football fans worldwide. His low center of gravity, exceptional skill, and unmatched dribbling ability allow him to weave effortlessly through defenders and score with remarkable consistency. With 850 career goals and counting, Messi is among the most prolific scorers in history.

An eight-time Ballon d’Or winner—a record unmatched in football—Messi also achieved the extraordinary feat of scoring 91 goals in a single calendar year in 2012, a milestone that remains unparalleled and may never be replicated.

3. LeBron James

Basketball

The NBA has never witnessed a player with the same combination of longevity, dominance, and consistency as LeBron James—and it may never again.

In his remarkable 22nd season, at the age of 40, the Los Angeles Lakers superstar continues to defy time, delivering performances that are unprecedented for someone of his age. While legends like Dirk Nowitzki and Vince Carter also played into their 40s, their production dwindled, with single-digit scoring averages. Meanwhile, James is still averaging over 20 points per game, ranking among the top 20 active players, maintaining his status as a fan favorite with leading jersey sales, and dominating NBA headlines.

With 20 All-Star selections, four NBA championships, and four MVP awards, LeBron has built a legacy that demands inclusion in the conversation for the greatest NBA player of all time—an argument bolstered by his sustained excellence and place atop this list of the greatest American basketball icons.

2. Cristiano Ronaldo

Football

Much like LeBron James in basketball, Cristiano Ronaldo has crafted a football career that spans over two decades of excellence.

Playing in some of Europe’s biggest leagues, most notably with Manchester United, Real Madrid, and Juventus, Ronaldo has enjoyed a glittering career marked by 33 major trophies for club and country. His achievements include five Champions League titles and leading Portugal to their first-ever European Championship triumph in 2016.

A prolific goalscorer, Ronaldo has netted over 900 career goals, securing his place as one of the greatest goalscorers in history. Beyond his on-field exploits, he has become a global icon, leveraging his CR7 brand to leave an indelible mark both within and beyond the footballing world.

1. Michael Jordan

Basketball

Michael Jordan is widely regarded as the GOAT of basketball, though LeBron James has made his own compelling case. On this list, however, Jordan secures the top spot not only for his unparalleled basketball career but also for how he leveraged it to build one of the most iconic brands in sports history—the Jordan Brand.

The legendary Air Jordan sneakers he wore while winning championship after championship—including two remarkable three-peats—cemented his name as synonymous with sportswear and athleisure during an era when he dominated both on and off the court.

Known for his gravity-defying dunks and dazzling ball-handling, Jordan retired as a six-time NBA champion and the only player to win six Finals MVP awards, all with the Chicago Bulls. His legacy remains unmatched, and the Bulls may never again witness a talent as transcendent as Michael Jordan.