Top 10 Greatest Athletes of All Time | Ranked

Whether it's the sport of soccer, cricket, tennis or basketball or any other top sport, we have been fortunate to witness some of the greatest professionals ever to grace their respective sports, for many years & across different generations. When we talk about determining the greatest athletes of all time, we are talking about those athletes who not only have earned legendary status in their respective sports with incredible performances on the pitch, but also have left a lasting impact on the sporting world as a whole. To rank the top 10 greatest athletes of all time, we have come up with a weighted ranking method. The aim behind this approach is to ensure that our articles stand out solely based on these metrics, rather than indulging in bias or favouritism towards a particular athlete or sport.

The weighted factors that are considered are: Major titles won, individual records, awards & honours, longevity + consistency & cultural + social influence. To evaluate some of the greatest players, like the NBA legend Michael Jordan and Leo Messi, we have used this method. The factors as mentioned earlier, ensure that a balanced approach is taken, evaluating both the athletes' quantifiable achievements & social impact. Sportsdunia's list of the top 10 greatest athletes includes players from almost every major sport in the world, like basketball to track, tennis to soccer, and boxing. These athletes have redefined excellence through jaw-dropping performances, dominating their sports & shattering countless records. In the end, they solidified their legacy among the greatest athletes of all time OR simply the GOATs, after winning prestigious accolades on multiple occasions.

List of Best Athletes of All Time – Top 10 Comprehensive Table

Sports is a vast domain in which countless athletes strive to leave their legacy. Not making the list of the top 10 greatest athletes ever doesn't diminish a sportsperson's value or overlook their overall contribution to that particular sport. Maybe their recognition and contribution to their sports were less prominent compared to others. Here is the list of Sportsdunia's top 10 greatest athletes ever, which answers the question, “Who is the greatest athlete of all time?”.

How We Ranked the Greatest Sportsman of All Time

Please get to know in detail why we chose the below ranking factors only to determine who are the best athletes of all time:

Major Titles Won: This looks at how many major titles a player has won in the entirety of his career. The number of major titles represents the player's ability to perform at the highest level multiple times. For example, lots of Grand Slams in tennis or Super Bowls in football mean they’re a top performer in high-pressure moments.

Individual Records: To make sure that people don't raise questions on the list based on the first metric, we have given individual awards a 25% weightage. This counts records an athlete set, like the fastest 100-meter run or the most soccer goals. Breaking records proves they did something amazing that no one else did.

Awards & Honors: This metric looks into the awards and honours earned by a player during his tenure, like MVP or Player of the Year. These show others, like coaches, players, or media, think the athlete is great. Winning many awards means they stayed competitive and at the peak for a long time, and earned tons of respect.

Longevity & Consistency: This checks for how much time a player stayed at the top in their respective sport. Playing at a top level for many years shows they’re tough and adaptable. For example, a tennis player shining for 20 years proves they’re built for lasting success.

Cultural & Social Influence: Lastly, we have cultural and social influence, a metric with the least weight but high importance. This metric helped us a lot in choosing the best players and which sport to include in the list. Sports with huge fan followings and their best players always have an impact on the people who directly or indirectly connect with the sport. For eg, Cristiano Ronaldo set the example that it's not necessary to have talent to shine in the sport, if you have the determination, you can achieve the summit easily.

Who is the Greatest Athlete of all Time?

Now that you have seen who the greatest athletes of all time are, and also have understood the reason behind choosing the stated ranking factors, let's understand in a bit more detail that why we chose these 10 players only for our list.

10. Pele (Brazil | Football)

It's a no-brainer indeed when we football fans say that the Brazilian footballer Pelé is arguably the greatest footballer of all time. If you still are wondering “Why?” (We understand it can happen, as opinions regarding football can be subjective), then just have a glimpse of what his career was like. Popularly known as “The King", Pelé has won 3 FIFA World Cup trophies (1958, 1962, 1970), which in itself can be termed among the greatest achievements in the game of soccer, because till this date, no footballer has won 3 World Cups. Though the fact that he has scored 1200+ goals in his career remains under scrutiny even today, nobody denies the type of player he was.

Beyond football, Pelé was the Brazilian minister of sport, a UN & UNESCO ambassador for environmental and children's rights & the global ambassador for football itself. He also wrote numerous books and was involved in philanthropic and humanitarian initiatives. Hence, Pele not only left a lasting legacy in football, but also brought a smile to the faces of people around the world by making the most out of his stature as one of the greatest athletes of all time.

9. Sachin Ramesh Tendulkar (India | Cricketer)

Sachin Ramesh Tendulkar, also known as India's “Little Master”, played for India from 1989-2013. He is, without any question, the greatest cricketer of all time. In his long legendary career, he has lifted multiple bilateral trophies, the Test mace and as well as the ICC World Cup. Even to this day, his record of 18,426 ODI runs and 51 ODI centuries has not been surpassed. He also holds the record of making a hundred centuries across all forms of cricket.

Getting awarded the Bharat Ratna, India's highest civilian honour and as well as the ICC Hall of Fame awards, highlights his impact on his nation and beyond. The fact that even players from other sports, such as Roger Federer, know him and appreciate his greatness showcases how his greatness transcends boundaries. While we see other legendary players across different sports promoting products that might be harmful for the youth, Tendulkar refused to do any advertisements of such kind. This incident is one of the many that cemented his status as one of the best athletes of all time.

8. Roger Federer (Switzerland | Tennis)

Roger Federer has conquered the sport of Tennis like no one else. In his playing career from 1998-2022, he has won a record 20 grand slam titles.

The Swiss Maestro has also won 103 ATP titles and was World No.1 a record 310 weeks. Federer, with his elegance & style of play, is at number 8th spot among the greatest athletes of all time. Thanks to his physical endurance and his desire and grit to fight for the top spot, he was arguably the world's best throughout his 24-year career.

He is also a global ambassador for tennis; as his philanthropy work and charm grew the sport’s reach. Through his Roger Federer Foundation, he has provided education to underprivileged children in several countries. Federer’s ability to captivate fans and inspire players worldwide cements his legacy as a tennis icon, while his humanitarian work improves the lives and future of numerous underprivileged people. Due to all these qualities and long-lasting impact on tennis and beyond, he has always been in the conversation focused on determining the greatest athlete of all time.

7. Michael Phelps (USA | Swimming)

From 2000 to 2016, Michael Phelps had the world at his feet. He is the most decorated Olympian to ever exist, as he earned a whopping 23 Olympic gold medals (28 total medals) in swimming. Not only did he dominate the sport, but he also made swimming popular among people, showcasing what you can achieve if you have the passion to swim. He won 8 World Swimmer of the Year awards in total, showcasing his dominance of the game. His 16 year career is a testament to his determination to stay competitive for years.

Beyond the pool, through the Michael Phelps Foundation, he has taken the initiative to help others cope with mental health challenges & ADHD. His global fame elevated swimming’s profile, inspiring countless athletes across the globe, making him one of the best athletes of all time.

6. Muhammad Ali (USA | Boxing)

“Fly like a butterfly and sting like a bee!”

You must have heard the aforementioned phrase at a certain time in your life. That is the phrase spoken by none other than one of the GOATs, Muhammad Ali. As Mike Tyson once said……., every head must bow down to one of the greatest athletes of all time. And he was and still is the legend of boxing. Muhammad Ali's career record remains unmatched to this day. His final record is 56 wins and 5 losses with 37 knockouts. He is the boxing immortal.

Outside of boxing, Ali worked on making things better for the underprivileged through his humanitarian work, social & civil rights activism. He also used his platform to raise awareness for issues such as Apartheid in South Africa and Parkinson's disease, from which he was diagnosed in the 1980s.

5. Cristiano Ronaldo - (Portugal | Football)

There is one athlete who has been an inspiration for a generation of football players and those who aspire to be footballers. He is none other than Portuguese footballer Cristiano Ronaldo. Popularly known as CR7, his goal-scoring prowess, athleticism, and versatility have made him arguably the greatest of all time in football, alongside Lionel Messi. His dedication and discipline towards the game are an example of how to remain competitive year after year. For more than a decade, both Cristiano and Messi have shared the spotlight of being the GOAT. To this day, it is one of the most talked-about rivalries in all sports.

Outside football, Ronaldo's work includes philanthropy and several business ventures under the CR7 brand. He is also the global ambassador for charities like “Save the Children” and “UNICEF” and has donated significant funds to several children's hospitals as well. His long-lasting legacy in European football, his influence on Saudi football and on Portuguese football keep him in the conversation focused on determining the greatest athlete of all time.

4. Lionel Messi - (Argentina|Football)

Also known as “La Pulga” in the world of football, Barcelona legend Lionel Messi is among the few players who have won it all. The Argentine has won the Ballon d'Or an unprecedented 8 times, surpassing his perennial rival Cristiano Ronaldo by a distance. Thanks to his unmatched dribbling and goal-scoring abilities, he has wowed fans worldwide & has won numerous accolades. After completing his legendary stint at Barcelona, he showed his class in Paris after signing for PSG. Currently, he plays for MLS outfit Inter Miami and has raised the excitement of watching MLS more than ever. The fact that both the brand Apple and MLS collaborated to bring him to the States showcases his global popularity.

Beyond football, he provided education and healthcare to vulnerable children through the Leo Messi Foundation. He has also supported a campaign for the social inclusion of disabled children, made significant donations to hospitals in Argentina & Spain. The fact that he has become one of the greatest athletes of all time despite suffering from a growth hormone deficiency has inspired countless people to try to achieve their goals despite the harshest of adversities.

3. Serena Williams - (USA | Tennis)

Tennis superstar Serena Williams has inspired a lot of women to pursue their careers as sportspersons. She has won a record 23 grand slam titles, the most in the open era. She has displayed unmatched longevity during her dominance from 1995-2022. She was known for her powerful and aggressive game, characterised by her fast, dominant serve and a powerful forehand. She has established many records throughout her career, like most combined singles, doubles & mixed grand slam titles by a woman. She won the Laureus Sportswoman of the Year award four times, which highlights her excellence. Her determination towards Tennis and her commendable work towards equality make Serena Williams one of the greatest athletes of all time.

2. Usain Bolt - (Jamaica | Athletics)

All the readers here must have surely heard the name of the fastest man alive, Usain Bolt. Then, you also know that he, who is also nicknamed “The Lightning Bolt”, has dominated the sprinting events, and holds records in the 100m, 200 m and as well as 4X 100m relay races. His unmatchable speed and charismatic personality have made him a worldwide icon in athletics. His world records, 9.58 seconds (100m) and 19.19 seconds (200m), remain untouched to this day. Bolt’s six World Athlete of the Year awards reflect his peerless dominance & solidify his status as one of the best athletes of all time. His charismatic personality and “Lightning Bolt” pose captivated audiences worldwide.

Since retiring from professional athletics, Bolt has mainly focused on brand endorsements, business ventures, music production, and family life. He also tried to pursue a soccer career, as he was involved in a high-profile trial with several football clubs, most notably the Australian soccer club Central Coast Mariners. Through the Usain Bolt Foundation, he promoted education & cultural activities for children and young people. This showcases his popularity and impact beyond athletics as solidify his status as one of the greatest athlete of all time.

1. Michael Jordan - (USA | Basketball)

The Greatest Sportsman of all time is Michael Jordan. Michael is widely known as the finest basketball player in history. His unmatched set of skills and competitive drive has led the Chicago Bulls to six NBA championships in the 1990s. Jordan’s influence extended way beyond the court, elevating global popularity and inspiring countless athletes in the NBA. Jordan’s clutch performances, like “The Shot,” became legendary. His global influence, fueled by the Air Jordan brand, transcended sports, making him a cultural icon. His leadership was as good as his gameplay, which encouraged players to perform better than their capabilities.

Who Is the Greatest Athlete of All Time

Based on our ranking factors, Michael Jordan is the greatest athlete of all time. Our ranking factors have given the following weightings: 25% to major titles won, 25% to individual records attained, 25% to awards won, 20% to longevity, and 5% to cultural influence. His six NBA Championships, six NBA Finals MVP awards, and 5 regular-season MVP awards make him stand apart from the rest of the sportspersons on this list. With 14 All-Star appearances over 19 years, his longevity and consistency remain unmatched. His success and skill helped the NBA become popular on a global scale, and to an extent, even those fans who do not prefer the NBA as their preferred sport to play or watch are inspired by him. This alone solidifies his position at the top of our list of the greatest athletes of all time.