Wayne Rooney reveals his all-time top 6 athletes

April 13, 2026 Oliver Obel

Wayne Rooney’s picks for the greatest athletes of all time say as much about his sporting tastes as they do about global icons.

Speaking on The Wayne Rooney Show, the former Manchester United and England striker revealed a top-six list that notably excludes footballers altogether. Instead, he focused on figures he believes changed their sports in lasting ways an approach that led to a few unexpected choices.

At the top of his list is snooker legend Ronnie O’Sullivan, a selection Rooney acknowledged would not be universally agreed upon. He praised O’Sullivan’s longevity and influence on the sport, even suggesting his achievements merit a knighthood.

Golf’s Tiger Woods came in second, with Rooney recalling being at Augusta National for Woods’ dramatic 2019 Masters victory widely seen as one of the greatest comebacks in the sport’s history. He pointed to Woods’ global impact, arguing that few athletes have reshaped their discipline so completely.

Former heavyweight boxing champion Mike Tyson was placed third. Rooney shared a personal memory of meeting Tyson in Manchester, describing both the boxer’s intimidating presence and a lighthearted moment during dinner when Tyson repeatedly tapped him in the ribs.

In fourth place, Rooney selected Serena Williams, highlighting her influence both on and off the court. While acknowledging other greats such as Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic, he singled out Williams as a particularly inspiring figure, especially for women in sport.

Rooney’s joint fifth-place picks were Michael Jordan and Tom Brady two athletes synonymous with sustained dominance. He credited Jordan with elevating basketball’s global appeal during his time with the Chicago Bulls, while Brady’s seven Super Bowl victories and two-decade career in the NFL made him an obvious inclusion.

The list, spanning multiple sports and eras, underlines Rooney’s preference for athletes who transcended their fields rather than those closest to his own profession. It also offers a glimpse into the figures who shaped his view of greatness beyond football.

Sources: The Wayne Rooney Show, BBC