ESPN Names Top 25 Athletes of the 21st Century

ESPN released their list of the top 100 athletes of the 21st century in 2024, based on votes from over 70,000 contributors. Voters considered achievements only from 2000 onward, without restrictions on gender or sport, creating a diverse and impressive lineup.

While some great athletes like Cristiano Ronaldo, Lewis Hamilton, and Rafael Nadal missed the top 10, the chosen names highlight those viewed as the best by the voting community.

ESPN's Top 25 Athletes (Ranks 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 of the 21st Century

Kobe Bryant is widely regarded as one of basketball’s greatest talents. Spending his entire career with the Los Angeles Lakers from 1996 to 2016, he was a five-time NBA champion, 18-time All-Star, and 2008 MVP. His tragic death in 2020 left a lasting legacy that continues to inspire fans worldwide.

• 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 became a global icon with his record-breaking sprinting. He won eight Olympic gold medals across Beijing 2008, London 2012, and Rio 2016, dominating both the 100m and 200m events and setting world records at a young age.

• 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 has left an indelible mark on golf since turning pro in 1996. With 13 major championships including multiple Masters and PGA titles, he remains one of golf’s all-time greats and 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 years old, Simone Biles is one of gymnastics’ brightest stars. She earned four gold medals at the 2016 Rio Olympics and added more medals in Tokyo 2020 and Paris 2024, making her one of the most decorated gymnasts ever.

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

Roger Federer stands out as the only male tennis player in the top 10. Turning professional in 1998, he won 20 major titles including eight Wimbledons. Known for his grace on and off the court, Federer retired in 2022 with an 82% win rate in over 1,500 matches.

• 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 is the most successful player in Super Bowl history with seven championship wins and five MVP awards. He spent two decades with the New England Patriots and finished his career with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, earning three NFL MVPs and 15 Pro Bowl selections.

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

LeBron James ranks highest among basketball players, still active at 41 and preparing to join the Philadelphia 76ers. He has won four NBA championships, appeared in 22 All-Star games, and holds the NBA all-time scoring record.

• 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. After a legendary career mainly at FC Barcelona, he led Argentina to international success with two Copa Americas, an Olympic gold, and a World Cup. He earned eight Ballon d'Or awards, the most in football history, and retired from international play after the 2026 World Cup final.

• Argentina caps: 207
• Goals for Argentina: 125
• Honours: 1 World Cup, 2 Copa Americas, 1 Olympic Gold Medal

Serena Williams secured second place, reflecting her dominance in women’s tennis. With 23 major titles, she holds the second-most Grand Slam wins ever. Her 73 career titles make her a true legend in the sport.

• 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, winning 23 gold medals out of 28 total. His performance at the 2008 Beijing Games was historic, with eight gold medals and seven world records set during those races.

• 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