There is no single, objective answer to who are the best sports players of all time, but a strong all-sports shortlist includes Serena Williams, Michael Jordan, Lionel Messi, Muhammad Ali, Pelé, Wayne Gretzky, Simone Biles, and Michael Phelps. Their records, sustained excellence, and influence make them standouts across different sports and eras.
Comparing athletes from different sports is never perfectly fair: a tennis champion cannot be measured by the same statistics as a soccer forward or Olympic swimmer. This ranking explains the criteria behind the choices, highlights other leading candidates, and shows how to make a more meaningful comparison.
How to compare the greatest athletes across sports
A useful all-time ranking weighs more than trophies or fame. It considers peak performance, longevity, dominance, versatility, and impact, while recognizing that athletes compete under different rules and conditions.
- Peak performance: How exceptional was the athlete at their best? A short period of near-total dominance can matter as much as a long career.
- Longevity: Did they remain among the best over many seasons or major competitions?
- Dominance: How often did they beat top rivals, win major events, or set a standard others chased?
- Versatility: Could they excel in different roles, events, or conditions within their sport?
- Influence: Did their accomplishments change expectations, participation, or the sport’s public profile?
These measures help, but they cannot remove judgment. Team sports also make it difficult to separate an individual’s contribution from coaching, teammates, tactics, and the strength of the competition.
who are the best sports players of all time? A cross-sport shortlist
The following athletes have especially strong cases because they combined major achievements with exceptional performance. The order is a guide, not a claim that success in one sport can be measured precisely against success in another.
- Serena Williams, tennis: Williams won 23 Grand Slam singles titles in the Open Era, the most by any player in that era. Her powerful game, long run at the top, and success across surfaces make her one of tennis’s defining champions.
- Michael Jordan, basketball: Jordan led the Chicago Bulls to six NBA championships and earned five regular-season MVP awards. His scoring, defense, and high-stakes performances helped shape basketball’s worldwide profile.
- Lionel Messi, soccer: Messi has combined elite scoring with playmaking and close control across a long career. His club achievements and major international honors, including the 2022 FIFA World Cup, strengthen his case among soccer’s greatest.
- Muhammad Ali, boxing: Ali became a three-time world heavyweight champion and was known for speed, movement, and tactical skill. His athletic achievements and influence beyond the ring make his legacy unusually broad.
- Pelé, soccer: Pelé helped Brazil win three FIFA World Cups and became one of the sport’s first global icons. Comparing his era directly with modern soccer is difficult, but his achievements and influence remain central to the game’s history.
- Wayne Gretzky, ice hockey: Gretzky set a remarkable standard for scoring and playmaking in the NHL. His career records and ability to read the game make him a leading choice for hockey’s greatest player.
- Simone Biles, gymnastics: Biles has won multiple Olympic and world titles and is known for performing skills of exceptional difficulty. Her continued success at the highest level makes her one of gymnastics’ most accomplished athletes.
- Michael Phelps, swimming: Phelps won 28 Olympic medals, including 23 gold medals. His results across multiple events and Olympic cycles give him a powerful case as the most accomplished Olympic swimmer.
- Usain Bolt, track and field: Bolt won Olympic gold in the 100-meter and 200-meter events at three consecutive Games. His speed and repeated success in sprinting’s most watched races made him the defining sprinter of his era.
- Tom Brady, American football: Brady led teams to seven Super Bowl titles and sustained high-level play across an unusually long NFL career. His case rests on championship success, durability, and performance in the sport’s most prominent games.
Other athletes have equally serious claims, depending on the criteria. Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, and Novak Djokovic have each shaped men’s tennis; Babe Ruth and Hank Aaron are central to baseball history; and Jackie Joyner-Kersee is among track and field’s greatest all-around competitors.
How leading candidates compare
This table puts a few widely recognized candidates side by side. It compares the kind of achievement behind each case rather than pretending that a medal, championship, or record has equal meaning in every sport.
| Athlete | Sport | Main case | Best fit for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Serena Williams | Tennis | Open Era record for women’s Grand Slam singles titles, with sustained success | Peak, longevity, and influence |
| Michael Jordan | Basketball | Six NBA titles as a leading player and exceptional scoring and defense | Championship impact and peak performance |
| Lionel Messi | Soccer | Elite scoring and creation, plus major club and international honors | Technical skill and all-around attacking play |
| Wayne Gretzky | Ice hockey | Historic scoring and playmaking records | Statistical dominance within one sport |
| Simone Biles | Gymnastics | Multiple major titles and difficult skills performed at the highest level | Technical difficulty and competitive excellence |
| Michael Phelps | Swimming | Record Olympic medal total and success across events | Olympic achievement and versatility |
Why the answer changes by sport and era
Sports offer different routes to greatness. In golf, tennis, and many track events, individual results are relatively clear. In soccer, basketball, and football, individual performance depends more heavily on teammates, roles, and coaching.
Rules and competition also change. Modern athletes may benefit from advances in training, nutrition, equipment, and sports medicine. Earlier athletes may have faced different schedules, playing conditions, or barriers to entry. A simple comparison of career totals can miss those differences.
It also matters who had the chance to compete. Race, gender, nationality, finances, and access to facilities have shaped sports participation and professional opportunities. Historical records reflect those limits, so a fair list should acknowledge them rather than treat every era as an equal starting line.
Greatest by category: other names worth considering
A cross-sport shortlist cannot represent every discipline equally. These athletes have strong cases within their sports and may rank higher for readers who value a particular kind of excellence.
- Baseball: Babe Ruth helped define the modern power hitter, while Hank Aaron combined longevity with historic home-run production.
- Golf: Tiger Woods dominated major stretches of professional golf and won 15 major championships. Jack Nicklaus won 18 men’s major championships, a key part of his all-time case.
- Distance running: Haile Gebrselassie and Eliud Kipchoge have set exceptional standards in distance events, though their achievements span different racing formats and eras.
- Cricket: Don Bradman’s batting record is often treated as unmatched, while Sachin Tendulkar’s long international career and run totals give him a different kind of claim.
- Women’s basketball: Lisa Leslie, Diana Taurasi, and Sue Bird each helped define major eras of the women’s game through individual and team success.
- Paralympic sport: Athletes such as Tatyana McFadden have built outstanding careers in wheelchair racing. Their achievements deserve recognition in discussions that often overlook adaptive sports.
Common mistakes in all-time rankings
Using popularity as the only measure
Global recognition can show cultural reach, but it does not prove athletic superiority. Some sports receive far more media coverage and commercial attention than others. Include popularity as one factor, not the entire scorecard.
Comparing career totals without context
A longer season, more events, or more chances to qualify can increase career totals. Compare an athlete’s performance against the best rivals of their own era, then consider how consistently they stayed near the top.
Ignoring different kinds of greatness
A champion can be the best at a single peak, the most consistent across a decade, or the most influential in changing a sport. Those are different achievements. State which one matters most before building a ranking.
A practical way to make your own ranking
If you want a list that reflects your priorities, use a simple process rather than starting with fame or personal loyalty:
- Choose a scope: Decide whether you are ranking all athletes, one sport, or a specific competition level.
- Set your criteria: Pick three or four measures, such as peak, longevity, major titles, and influence.
- Compare athletes with their peers: Ask how often each athlete led their own era, not just how many awards they collected.
- Account for context: Note rule changes, opportunities, team support, and differences in competition.
- Explain close calls: If two athletes have different strengths, say what tipped your choice rather than claiming the answer is beyond debate.
A useful point many rankings miss: separate “greatest career” from “best at their peak.” The first favors sustained excellence; the second asks who reached the highest level, even if only for a shorter period. Keeping those questions separate makes comparisons clearer and can explain why reasonable lists differ.
The strongest answer to who are the best sports players of all time depends on what you value most: peak dominance, longevity, records, or influence. Serena Williams, Michael Jordan, Messi, Ali, Gretzky, Biles, and Phelps all have compelling cases, but no cross-sport list can settle the question for everyone.
To make a ranking you can defend, choose your criteria first and compare each athlete with the strongest competitors of their era. Then include at least one candidate from a sport or group that broad popularity lists often leave out.