Kenya Sport

ESPN's Top 25 Athletes of the 21st Century Revealed

Over 70,000 ESPN contributors cast votes to determine the greatest athletes from the year 2000 onward, resulting in a diverse and talented list without restrictions on sport or gender. While some notable names like Cristiano Ronaldo, Lewis Hamilton, and Rafael Nadal narrowly missed the top 10, this list highlights those deemed the finest by fans worldwide.

Top 25 Athletes Ranked 25 to 11

  • 25. Floyd Mayweather - Boxing
  • 24. Albert Pujols - Baseball
  • 23. Kevin Garnett - Basketball
  • 22. Sidney Crosby - Hockey
  • 21. Diana Taurasi - Basketball
  • 20. Aaron Donald - NFL
  • 19. Lewis Hamilton - Formula 1
  • 18. Patrick Mahomes - NFL
  • 17. Shaquille O'Neal - Basketball
  • 16. Tim Duncan - Basketball
  • 15. Katie Ledecky - Swimming
  • 14. Stephen Curry - Basketball
  • 13. Cristiano Ronaldo - Football
  • 12. Rafael Nadal - Tennis
  • 11. Novak Djokovic - Tennis

Top 10 Athletes of the 21st Century

Kobe Bryant, a Basketball Hall of Famer who spent his entire career with the Los Angeles Lakers from 1996 to 2016, is celebrated as one of the game's all-time greats. His legacy includes five NBA championships, 18 All-Star selections, and the 2008 NBA MVP award. Tragically, Bryant died in a helicopter crash in 2020, but his impact on basketball remains profound.

  • Games played: 1,346
  • Free-throw percentage: .837
  • Rebounds per game: 5.2
  • Assists per game: 4.7
  • Points per game: 25.0

Known globally for his extraordinary sprinting speed, Jamaican sprinter Usain Bolt earned eight Olympic gold medals across three Games: Beijing 2008, London 2012, and Rio 2016. Bolt set world records in the 100m at age 21 and remains the only sprinter to win gold in both the 100m and 200m events at multiple Olympics.

  • 2008 Beijing: Gold in 100m and 4x100m relay
  • 2012 London: Gold in 100m, 200m, and 4x100m relay
  • 2016 Rio: Gold in 100m, 200m, and 4x100m relay

Tiger Woods has been a dominant force in golf since turning professional in 1996. He has secured 13 Major titles, including multiple Masters and PGA Championships. Inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame in 2021, Woods’ achievements have left an indelible mark on the sport.

  • The Masters wins: 1997, 2001, 2002, 2005, 2019
  • PGA Championship wins: 1999, 2000, 2006, 2007
  • US Open wins: 2000, 2002, 2008
  • The Open wins: 2000, 2005, 2006

At just 29 years old, Simone Biles has already made history as one of the greatest gymnasts ever. She won four gold medals at the 2016 Rio Olympics and added more medals in Tokyo 2020 and Paris 2024, totaling seven Olympic medals by age 23 and enhancing her reputation with an outstanding performance in 2024.

  • 2016 Rio: 4 Gold, 1 Bronze
  • 2020 Tokyo: 1 Silver, 1 Bronze
  • 2024 Paris: 3 Gold, 1 Silver

Roger Federer stands as the only men’s tennis player in the top 10, boasting a career starting in 1998 with over 1,500 matches and an 82% winning rate. With 20 Major titles including a record eight Wimbledon wins, Federer dominated the sport until his retirement in 2022, earning praise for his sportsmanship and skill.

  • Australian Open wins: 2004, 2006, 2007, 2010, 2017, 2018
  • French Open win: 2009
  • Wimbledon wins: 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012, 2017
  • US Open wins: 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008

Tom Brady holds the record for the most Super Bowl wins with seven titles and five Super Bowl MVP awards. His NFL career spanned from 2000 to 2019 with the New England Patriots, followed by two seasons with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Brady also earned three NFL MVPs and was selected for the Pro Bowl 15 times.

  • Games played: 335
  • Win-loss record: 251-82
  • Passes completed: 7,753
  • Passes attempted: 12,050
  • Passing touchdowns: 649

LeBron James ranks as the highest basketball player on the list, still active at 41. He has played for the Cleveland Cavaliers, Miami Heat, Los Angeles Lakers, and now the Philadelphia 76ers. His honors include four NBA championships, 22 All-Star appearances, and the all-time NBA scoring record.

  • Games played: 1,622
  • Free-throw percentage: 73.7%
  • Rebounds per game: 7.5
  • Assists per game: 7.4
  • Points per game: 26.8

The only footballer in the top 10, Lionel Messi spent much of his club career at FC Barcelona, winning 10 La Liga titles and numerous individual awards. Internationally, he helped Argentina win the World Cup, two Copa Americas, and an Olympic gold medal. Messi holds eight Ballons d'Or and retired from international play after the 2026 World Cup final.

  • Argentina caps: 207
  • Goals for Argentina: 125
  • Major honours: World Cup (1), Copa America (2), Olympic Gold Medal (1)

Serena Williams ranks second overall and is the highest-ranked woman on the list. With 23 Major titles—the second most among all tennis players—and 73 career titles, she is a true icon in tennis and beyond. Sister to Venus Williams, Serena’s influence extends well past the court.

  • Australian Open wins: 2003, 2005, 2007, 2009, 2010, 2015, 2017
  • French Open wins: 2002, 2013, 2015
  • Wimbledon wins: 2002, 2003, 2009, 2010, 2012, 2015, 2016
  • US Open wins: 1999, 2002, 2008, 2012, 2013, 2014

Michael Phelps tops the list as the most decorated Olympian ever, with 28 Olympic medals, including 23 golds. His remarkable performance in the 2008 Beijing Games, where he won eight gold medals and broke records in seven events, solidified his place as one of the most dominant athletes in history.

  • 2004 Athens: 6 Gold, 0 Silver, 2 Bronze
  • 2008 Beijing: 8 Gold, 0 Silver, 0 Bronze
  • 2012 London: 4 Gold, 2 Silver, 0 Bronze
  • 2016 Rio: 5 Gold, 1 Silver, 0 Bronze

Related Articles