The 50 Best Athletes of All Time (2025 Ranking – Reverse Order)

From Olympic legends to NBA icons and football magicians, these are the athletes who redefined greatness. Instead of starting at the top, let’s count down from 50 all the way to number 1.

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50. Vegard Ulvang

Norwegian cross-country skiing star with three Olympic gold medals and a global ambassador for the sport.

49. Mickey Mantle

Yankees legend with 7 World Series titles, 3 MVPs, and one of baseball’s greatest sluggers.

48. Alexander Ovechkin

One of hockey’s deadliest scorers, Stanley Cup champion, and modern Russian sports icon.

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47. Michael Schumacher

Seven-time Formula One champion, Ferrari legend, and one of racing’s all-time greats.

46. Barry Sanders

NFL’s most elusive running back, 10-time Pro Bowler, and Heisman Trophy winner.

45. Zinedine Zidane

French World Cup hero, Euro 2000 winner, Ballon d’Or recipient, and Real Madrid icon.

44. Oscar Robertson

“The Big O,” the first player to average a triple-double for a season and NBA trailblazer.

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43. Michael Johnson

Olympic sprinting icon, golds in 200m and 400m, with a record-breaking running style.

42. Donald Bradman

Australian cricketing legend with an almost mythical batting average of 99.94.

41. Jack Nicklaus

Golf’s “Golden Bear,” holder of 18 Major titles and still the benchmark of greatness.

40. Peyton Manning

Two-time Super Bowl champion, five-time MVP, and one of the most cerebral QBs in NFL history.

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39. Bobby Orr

Hockey defenseman who redefined the position with his speed, scoring, and two Stanley Cups.

38. Lou Gehrig

“The Iron Horse” of baseball, six-time World Series champion and symbol of courage in the face of ALS.

37. George Foreman

Olympic gold medalist, two-time heavyweight champion, and later global entrepreneur.

36. Tony Hawk

Skateboarding’s biggest icon, first to land the 900, and face of the sport worldwide.

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35. Ronaldo Nazário

Brazilian striker known as “O Fenômeno,” two-time Ballon d’Or winner and World Cup champion.

34. Jerry Rice

NFL’s greatest receiver, three-time Super Bowl winner, and all-time leader in yards and touchdowns.

33. Jackie Robinson

Broke MLB’s color barrier in 1947, MVP, and a civil rights icon.

32. Sugar Ray Robinson

Considered the greatest boxer ever, dominant across welterweight and middleweight.

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31. Jim Thorpe

Early 20th-century multi-sport legend, Olympic gold medalist, and football/baseball star.

30. Tiger Woods

15-time Major winner, Masters comeback hero, and global ambassador for golf.

29. Mario Lemieux

Pittsburgh Penguins legend, two-time Stanley Cup winner as player and later team owner.

28. Joe DiMaggio

Yankees icon with 9 World Series titles and a 56-game hitting streak that still stands.

27. Rocky Marciano

The only undefeated heavyweight champion in history at 49-0.

26. Rafael Nadal

The King of Clay with 20 Grand Slam titles, 13 of them at Roland Garros.

25. Kobe Bryant

Five-time NBA champion, “Mamba Mentality” legend, and one of basketball’s fiercest competitors.

24. Bill Russell

The ultimate winner—11 NBA titles in 13 seasons and a pioneer for civil rights.

23. Bruce Lee

Martial arts icon, founder of Jeet Kune Do, and a cultural symbol of discipline and excellence.

22. Joe Montana

“Joe Cool,” four-time Super Bowl champion and master of the clutch comeback.

21. Novak Djokovic

Tennis superstar with record-breaking Grand Slam victories and one of the Big Three.

20. Bo Jackson

The ultimate two-sport phenomenon, excelling in both MLB and the NFL.

19. Tom Brady

Seven-time Super Bowl champion and the most decorated quarterback in NFL history.

18. Pelé

Brazil’s footballing king, three-time World Cup winner and the face of the beautiful game.

17. Wayne Gretzky

“The Great One,” hockey’s all-time points leader and four-time Stanley Cup champion.

16. Magic Johnson

Showtime Lakers’ leader, five-time NBA champion, and one of the game’s greatest passers.

15. Larry Bird

Three-time NBA champion and MVP, legendary shooter and rival to Magic Johnson.

14. Cristiano Ronaldo

Goal-scoring machine with five Ballon d’Ors and five Champions League titles.

13. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar

NBA’s scoring king for decades, six MVPs, and the creator of the unstoppable skyhook.

12. Wilt Chamberlain

The man who scored 100 points in a game and averaged 50 a season—an unmatched force.

11. Serena Williams

23-time Grand Slam champion and an inspiration far beyond tennis.

10. Jesse Owens

Hero of the 1936 Olympics, winning four gold medals under Nazi Germany.

9. Mike Tyson

Youngest heavyweight champion in history, known for knockout power and intimidation.

8. LeBron James

Four-time NBA champion, global icon, and one of the greatest all-around players ever.

7. Roger Federer

Tennis maestro with 20 Grand Slam titles and a career defined by grace and longevity.

6. Babe Ruth

Baseball’s first superstar, with 714 career home runs and larger-than-life charisma.

5. Usain Bolt

The fastest man alive, holding world records in the 100m and 200m, with 8 Olympic golds.

4. Michael Phelps

The most decorated Olympian ever with 23 gold medals across four Games.

3. Lionel Messi

Football magician, World Cup winner, multiple Ballon d’Ors, and Barcelona’s greatest ever.

2. Muhammad Ali

The Greatest—three-time heavyweight champ, activist, and cultural icon.

1. Michael Jordan

The ultimate athlete—six NBA titles, five MVPs, and a global icon who defined basketball.