Top 10 Greatest Athletes of All Time | Ranked

From Tennis to European football, we are lucky to have witnessed some of the top professionals in their respective sports over many years now. Determining the greatest athletes of all time is all about folks who have not only graced with their excellence in their respective sports but have also left a great mark on the world of athletics. To rank the top 10 greatest athletes of all time, we have used a weighted method, ensuring our article stands out from those biased articles circulating on the internet, which often lack metrics and are based solely on favoritism. To evaluate players like Michael Jordan, Sachin Ramesh Tendulkar, Lionel Messi, and Muhamed Ali, we have used the weighted method.

The weights are as follows: 25% for major titles won, 25% for individual records, 25% for awards and honors, 20% for longevity and consistency, and 5% for cultural and social influence. The factors ensure that it adopts a balanced approach and evaluates both quantifiable achievements and social impact. Our list of the Top 10 greatest athletes includes players from every domain of the sport, like basketball to track, tennis to soccer, and football. These athletes have reshaped excellence through exceptional performance, dominating their sports, shattering records, and securing prestigious accolades, solidifying their legacies as among the greatest athletes of all time or simply the GOATs.

Greatest Athletes of All Time – Top 10 Comprehensive Table

The world of sports is vast, with countless athletes shaping its legacy. Not making the top 10 greatest athletes list doesn’t diminish a star’s or sport’s value; their fan base and recognition may simply be less prominent compared to others. Here is Sportsdunia's list of the top 10 best athletes of all time, which answers the question - who is the greatest athlete of all time?

How We Ranked the Greatest Sportsman 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.

Greatest Athletes of All Time – Individual Profiles

Below are the individual profiles of the best athletes of all time. These icons have redefined greatness with unmatched performances, breaking societal barriers, setting records, earning a number of honors, and establishing themselves as the finest in sports history.

10. Pele - Brazil/Football

The Brazilian footballer Pele has won 3 FIFA World Cup trophies (1958, 1962, 1970), which in itself is a great achievement that has never been earned by any other player as of now in football. He had scored over 1200 goals in his career. However, these numbers remain under scrutiny, yet nobody denies the type of player he was. Named FIFA Player of the Century, his global impact popularized football worldwide. His personality and peace advocacy extend his influence beyond the game.

9. Sachin Ramesh Tendulkar - India/Cricketer

Sachin Ramesh Tendulkar, India's 'Little Master' played from 1989 to 2013. Tendulkar's long career has seen him lift multiple bilateral trophies, the Test mace, and the ICC World Cup. His records of 18,426 ODI runs and 51 ODI centuries are unmatched and still unbeaten. The Bharat Ratna, India’s highest civilian honor, and the ICC Hall of Fame awards highlight his impact on the nation and worldwide. While other players with legendary status can be seen promoting things that are not adequate for the youth, Tendulkar refused to do any advertisements that include those things. The previously mentioned incident is one of many that made him the GOAT in cricket and one of the greatest athletes of all time.

8. Roger Federer - Switzerland/Tennis

The Swiss tennis player had conquered the sport like no one else. Won 20 Grand Slam singles titles from 1998 to 2022. Holding 103 ATP titles and a record 310 weeks as World No. 1. Federer, with his elegance and style of play, holds the number 8 spot in our list of greatest athletes of all time. His 24-year-long career is a testament to his physical endurance and his determination to fight for the top spot for a long time. A global ambassador for tennis, his philanthropy and charm grew the sport’s reach. Federer’s ability to captivate fans and inspire players worldwide cements his legacy as a tennis icon.

7. Michael Phelps - USA/Swimming

Phelps is the most decorated Olympian the world has ever seen. Phelps dominated swimming from 2000 to 2016, earning 23 Olympic gold medals and 28 total medals, which is a world record. If we have to name one person who made the sport of swimming popular among people, it will be Michael Phelps. Phelps’ eight World Swimmer of the Year awards highlight his dominance. His long 16 year career shows his determination to perform at the most competitive stage for years. Beyond the pool, Phelps’ initiative for mental health and 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 this phrase at a certain time in your life. That is Muhammad Ali for you. As Mike Tyson said, every head must bow down to the greatest of all time. And he was and still is the goat of boxing. Muhammad Ali's natural record is unmatched to this day. His final record is 56 wins and 5 losses with 37 knockouts. He is the boxing immortal!.

5. Cristiano Ronaldo - Portugal/Football

If there is one athlete who is the inspiration of a generation, it is CR7. Cristiano's athleticism, goal-scoring prowess, and versatility have made him one of the greatest in football. He is a true example of dedication and discipline. Both Cristiano and Messi have shared the top stage of Football for over a decade. To this day, it is talked about among the fans across the world, and surely the rivalry will be in the history pages forever.

4. Lionel Messi - Argentina/Football

Lionel Messi is as popular as La Pulga. In the World of Football, he is the only player who have won it all. The Argentine has won the Ballon d'Or 7 times, surpassing his fierce competition Cristiano Ronaldo. From his vision in the field to his unmatched dribbling and goal-scoring abilities, he has earned numerous accolades over the years. From the Camp Nou stadium to now in Inter Miami, his journey with football is nothing short of a masterpiece of an artist. La Pulga has a massive fan following in every corner of the world. which makes him one of the greatest sportsman of all time.

3. Serena Williams - USA/Tennis

The great Serena Williams has inspired a lot of women to pursue their careers as a sportsperson. amassing 23 Grand Slam singles titles, the most in the Open Era. Her dominance across two decades (1995–2022) showcases unmatched longevity. She was known for his bold and fearless gameplay, which led her to establish many records in the entirety of her career, like most combined singles, doubles, and mixed Grand Slam titles by a woman. Her four Laureus Sportswoman of the Year awards highlight her excellence. She became more popular after continuing her career after she became a mother. The Determination towards Tennis and her commendable work towards equality make Serena Williams one of the greatest athletes in the world.

2. Usain Bolt - Jamaica/Athletics

You have surely heard the name of the fastest man alive, Usain Bolt. Since you have, you also know that he is the fastest man alive who has dominated the sprinting events, holding records in the 100m and 200m. His charismatic personality and unprecedented speed have made him a worldwide icon in athletics. His world records, 9.58 seconds (100m) and 19.19 seconds (200m), remain untouched. Bolt’s six World Athlete of the Year awards reflect his peerless dominance. His charismatic personality and “Lightning Bolt” pose captivated global audiences,

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

Michael Jordan is the greatest athlete of all time, as per our ranking factors, which include (25% major titles, 25% individual records, 25% awards, 20% longevity, 5% 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 sportspeople. With 14 All-Star appearances over 19 years, his longevity and consistency.