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Top 100 Sportsabc Global Athletes Index
Top 100 Athletes Across 10 Sports | Legendary Players and Performers
#1 Lionel Messi image
#1 Lionel Messi
Seven-time Ballon d'Or winner; known for his dribbling, playmaking, and goal-scoring abilities.
Nationality
Argentina
Achievements
---
Sport
Football (Soccer)
Years Active
2004–Present
#2 Cristiano Ronaldo image
#2 Cristiano Ronaldo
Multiple Ballon d'Or winner; top scorer in UEFA Champions League history; renowned for his athleticism.
Nationality
Portugal
Achievements
---
Sport
Football (Soccer)
Years Active
2002–Present
#3 Pelé image
#3 Pelé
Three-time FIFA World Cup winner; scored over 1,000 career goals; considered one of the greatest ever.
Nationality
Brazil
Achievements
---
Sport
Football (Soccer)
Years Active
1956–1977
#4 Diego Maradona image
#4 Diego Maradona
Led Argentina to 1986 World Cup victory; famous for the "Hand of God" goal and exceptional skill.
Nationality
Argentina
Achievements
---
Sport
Football (Soccer)
Years Active
1976–1997
#5 Zinedine Zidane image
#5 Zinedine Zidane
World Cup and Euro-winning midfielder; celebrated for his technique and vision; later a successful coach.
Nationality
France
Achievements
---
Sport
Football (Soccer)
Years Active
1989–2006
#6 Johan Cruyff image
#6 Johan Cruyff
Three-time Ballon d'Or winner; pioneer of "Total Football"; influential player and coach.
Nationality
Netherlands
Achievements
---
Sport
Football (Soccer)
Years Active
1964–1984
#7 Franz Beckenbauer image
#7 Franz Beckenbauer
World Cup winner as both player and coach; known as "The Kaiser" for his leadership and elegance.
Nationality
Germany
Achievements
---
Sport
Football (Soccer)
Years Active
1964–1983
#8 Ronaldinho image
#8 Ronaldinho
Two-time FIFA World Player of the Year; known for his creativity, flair, and joyful playing style.
Nationality
Brazil
Achievements
---
Sport
Football (Soccer)
Years Active
1998–2015
#9 Michel Platini image
#9 Michel Platini
Three-time Ballon d'Or winner; led France to European Championship victory in 1984; UEFA president (2007–2015).
Nationality
France
Achievements
---
Sport
Football (Soccer)
Years Active
1972–1987
#10 Neymar Jr. image
#10 Neymar Jr.
Highly skilled forward; key player for Brazil and top European clubs; known for his dribbling and scoring.
Nationality
Brazil
Achievements
---
Sport
Football (Soccer)
Years Active
2009–Present
#11 Michael Jordan image
#11 Michael Jordan
Six-time NBA champion; widely regarded as the greatest basketball player of all time.
Nationality
United States
Achievements
---
Sport
Basketball
Years Active
1984–2003
#12 LeBron James image
#12 LeBron James
Four-time NBA champion and MVP; known for his versatility and leadership on the court.
Nationality
United States
Achievements
---
Sport
Basketball
Years Active
2003–Present
#13 Kobe Bryant image
#13 Kobe Bryant
Five-time NBA champion; known for his scoring ability and competitive spirit.
Nationality
United States
Achievements
---
Sport
Basketball
Years Active
1996–2016
#14 Magic Johnson image
#14 Magic Johnson
Five-time NBA champion; renowned for his passing skills and basketball IQ.
Nationality
United States
Achievements
---
Sport
Basketball
Years Active
1979–1996
#15 Larry Bird image
#15 Larry Bird
Three-time NBA champion and MVP; key player for the Boston Celtics in the 1980s.
Nationality
United States
Achievements
---
Sport
Basketball
Years Active
1979–1992
#16 Kareem Abdul-Jabbar image
#16 Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
Six-time NBA champion; all-time leading scorer in NBA history until 2023.
Nationality
United States
Achievements
---
Sport
Basketball
Years Active
1969–1989
#17 Shaquille O’Neal image
#17 Shaquille O’Neal
Four-time NBA champion; dominant center known for his size and strength.
Nationality
United States
Achievements
---
Sport
Basketball
Years Active
1992–2011
#18 Tim Duncan image
#18 Tim Duncan
Five-time NBA champion; known as "The Big Fundamental" for his efficient playing style.
Nationality
United States
Achievements
---
Sport
Basketball
Years Active
1997–2016
#19 Kevin Durant image
#19 Kevin Durant
Two-time NBA champion and MVP; exceptional scorer and versatile forward.
Nationality
United States
Achievements
---
Sport
Basketball
Years Active
2007–Present
#20 Stephen Curry image
#20 Stephen Curry
Four-time NBA champion; revolutionized the game with his three-point shooting ability.
Nationality
United States
Achievements
---
Sport
Basketball
Years Active
2009–Present
#21 Sachin Tendulkar image
#21 Sachin Tendulkar
All-time leading run-scorer in international cricket; known as the "Little Master."
Nationality
India
Achievements
---
Sport
Cricket
Years Active
1989–2013
#22 Virat Kohli image
#22 Virat Kohli
One of the best modern batsmen; known for his consistency and chasing prowess.
Nationality
India
Achievements
---
Sport
Cricket
Years Active
2008–Present
#23 Brian Lara image
#23 Brian Lara
Holds record for highest individual score in Test cricket (400*).
Nationality
West Indies
Achievements
---
Sport
Cricket
Years Active
1990–2007
#24 Ricky Ponting image
#24 Ricky Ponting
Led Australia to two World Cup victories; prolific run-scorer in Tests and ODIs.
Nationality
Australia
Achievements
---
Sport
Cricket
Years Active
1995–2012
#25 Shane Warne image
#25 Shane Warne
One of the greatest spin bowlers; revitalized leg-spin bowling in cricket.
Nationality
Australia
Achievements
---
Sport
Cricket
Years Active
1992–2007
#26 Jacques Kallis image
#26 Jacques Kallis
One of the best all-rounders; excelled in both batting and bowling.
Nationality
South Africa
Achievements
---
Sport
Cricket
Years Active
1995–2014
#27 Muttiah Muralitharan image
#27 Muttiah Muralitharan
Highest wicket-taker in Test cricket; famous for his unique bowling action.
Nationality
Sri Lanka
Achievements
---
Sport
Cricket
Years Active
1992–2010
#28 Sir Donald Bradman image
#28 Sir Donald Bradman
Considered the greatest batsman ever; Test batting average of 99.94.
Nationality
Australia
Achievements
---
Sport
Cricket
Years Active
1928–1948
#29 Imran Khan image
#29 Imran Khan
Led Pakistan to 1992 World Cup win; exceptional all-rounder; later became Prime Minister.
Nationality
Pakistan
Achievements
---
Sport
Cricket
Years Active
1971–1992
#30 MS Dhoni image
#30 MS Dhoni
Captained India to T20 and ODI World Cup victories; known for his calm leadership.
Nationality
India
Achievements
---
Sport
Cricket
Years Active
2004–2020
#31 Roger Federer image
#31 Roger Federer
20-time Grand Slam champion; admired for his elegance and all-court game.
Nationality
Switzerland
Achievements
---
Sport
Tennis
Years Active
1998–2022
#32 Rafael Nadal image
#32 Rafael Nadal
22-time Grand Slam champion; dominant on clay courts; known for his tenacity.
Nationality
Spain
Achievements
---
Sport
Tennis
Years Active
2001–Present
#33 Novak Djokovic image
#33 Novak Djokovic
24-time Grand Slam champion; known for his resilience and all-round excellence.
Nationality
Serbia
Achievements
---
Sport
Tennis
Years Active
2003–Present
#34 Serena Williams image
#34 Serena Williams
23-time Grand Slam singles champion; one of the greatest female athletes ever.
Nationality
United States
Achievements
---
Sport
Tennis
Years Active
1995–2022
#35 Pete Sampras image
#35 Pete Sampras
14-time Grand Slam champion; dominated tennis in the 1990s with powerful serve-and-volley.
Nationality
United States
Achievements
---
Sport
Tennis
Years Active
1988–2002
#36 Steffi Graf image
#36 Steffi Graf
22-time Grand Slam champion; achieved the Golden Slam in 1988.
Nationality
Germany
Achievements
---
Sport
Tennis
Years Active
1982–1999
#37 Martina Navratilova image
#37 Martina Navratilova
18-time Grand Slam singles champion; excelled in doubles and singles.
Nationality
United States
Achievements
---
Sport
Tennis
Years Active
1975–2006
#38 Björn Borg image
#38 Björn Borg
11-time Grand Slam champion; dominated Wimbledon and French Open in late 1970s.
Nationality
Sweden
Achievements
---
Sport
Tennis
Years Active
1973–1983
#39 Andre Agassi image
#39 Andre Agassi
Eight-time Grand Slam champion; known for his charisma and return of serve.
Nationality
United States
Achievements
---
Sport
Tennis
Years Active
1986–2006
#40 Venus Williams image
#40 Venus Williams
Seven-time Grand Slam singles champion; advocate for equal prize money in tennis.
Nationality
United States
Achievements
---
Sport
Tennis
Years Active
1994–Present
#41 Tom Brady image
#41 Tom Brady
Seven-time Super Bowl champion; considered the greatest quarterback of all time.
Nationality
United States
Achievements
---
Sport
American Football
Years Active
2000–2023
#42 Joe Montana image
#42 Joe Montana
Four-time Super Bowl champion; known for his clutch performances.
Nationality
United States
Achievements
---
Sport
American Football
Years Active
1979–1994
#43 Peyton Manning image
#43 Peyton Manning
Two-time Super Bowl champion; five-time MVP; known for his intelligence and leadership.
Nationality
United States
Achievements
---
Sport
American Football
Years Active
1998–2015
#44 Jerry Rice image
#44 Jerry Rice
Widely regarded as the greatest wide receiver; holds numerous NFL records.
Nationality
United States
Achievements
---
Sport
American Football
Years Active
1985–2004
#45 Lawrence Taylor image
#45 Lawrence Taylor
Revolutionized defensive play; two-time Super Bowl champion with the New York Giants.
Nationality
United States
Achievements
---
Sport
American Football
Years Active
1981–1993
#46 Jim Brown image
#46 Jim Brown
Three-time MVP; dominant running back; retired at the peak of his career.
Nationality
United States
Achievements
---
Sport
American Football
Years Active
1957–1965
#47 Brett Favre image
#47 Brett Favre
Three-time MVP; known for his durability and gunslinger style.
Nationality
United States
Achievements
---
Sport
American Football
Years Active
1991–2010
#48 Emmitt Smith image
#48 Emmitt Smith
NFL's all-time leading rusher; three-time Super Bowl champion with the Cowboys.
Nationality
United States
Achievements
---
Sport
American Football
Years Active
1990–2004
#49 Deion Sanders image
#49 Deion Sanders
Exceptional cornerback and return specialist; also played professional baseball.
Nationality
United States
Achievements
---
Sport
American Football
Years Active
1989–2005
#50 Johnny Unitas image
#50 Johnny Unitas
Hall of Fame quarterback; known for his strong arm and leadership in the 1950s–60s.
Nationality
United States
Achievements
---
Sport
American Football
Years Active
1956–1973
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