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.
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.
