The 20 Best Athletes of the 21st Century

Two decades of dominance across courts, pitches, pools, tracks and ice, where some names owned a single decade and others never lost a step. Which will win?

1

Lionel Messi

Eight-time Ballon d'Or winner who capped his career with the 2022 World Cup for Argentina.

1000pts

2

Novak Djokovic

Holder of the men's record with 24 Grand Slam titles and 428 weeks at world No. 1.

974pts

3

Serena Williams

Winner of 23 Grand Slam singles titles and four Olympic golds across two decades of dominance.

643pts

4

Rafael Nadal

Clay-court king with 22 Grand Slam titles, including 14 at Roland Garros.

642pts

5

Tiger Woods

Golfer with 15 major titles whose 2019 Masters win completed one of sport's great comebacks.

576pts

6

Stephen Curry

Point guard who rewrote basketball with the three-pointer, winning four NBA titles.

576pts

7

Eliud Kipchoge

Marathon runner, double Olympic champion and the first man to cover the distance under two hours.

576pts

8

Kobe Bryant

Five-time NBA champion and 18-time All-Star whose Mamba mentality defined an era.

500pts

9

Floyd Mayweather Jr.

Boxer who retired 50-0 after collecting world titles in five weight classes.

500pts

10

Tom Brady

Quarterback with seven Super Bowl rings, more than any franchise in NFL history.

409pts

11

Simone Biles

Gymnast with more world and Olympic medals than anyone, and five skills named after her.

409pts

12

Usain Bolt

Sprinter who holds the 100m and 200m world records and won eight Olympic golds.

300pts

13

LeBron James

Four-time NBA champion and the league's all-time leading scorer over a 20-plus season career.

300pts

14

Lewis Hamilton

Formula One driver with a record 105 grand prix wins and seven world championships.

300pts

15

Roger Federer

Tennis stylist with 20 Grand Slam titles and a record eight Wimbledon crowns.

300pts

16

Allyson Felix

Sprinter with 11 Olympic medals, the most of any track and field athlete in history.

300pts

17

Cristiano Ronaldo

Five-time Ballon d'Or winner and the all-time leading scorer in men's international football.

167pts

18

Katie Ledecky

Distance swimmer with nine Olympic golds and world records that have stood for years.

167pts

19

Michael Phelps

Swimmer with 23 Olympic gold medals, the most decorated Olympian in history.

167pts

20

Sidney Crosby

Hockey captain with three Stanley Cups and two Olympic golds, including the 2010 golden goal.

167pts