Top 10 Greatest Athletes in the World

Michael Phelps, born in 1985, is an American professional swimmer and one of the greatest Olympic athletes of all time, with a total of 28 medals. He holds the record for the most Olympic gold medals in history with 23, the most golds in individual events with 13, and the most individual medals with 16.

Additionally, Phelps has claimed 26 gold medals at the World Championships, 1 gold at the Short Course World Championships, and 16 golds at the Pan Pacific Championships. With a total of 66 gold medals across various competitions, Phelps’ remarkable achievements have rightfully earned him the title of the greatest Olympic athlete of all time. He announced his retirement following the 2016 Summer Olympics.

Michael Schumacher, born in 1969, is regarded as the greatest Formula 1 driver in history. Schumacher seemed destined for the racetrack, winning his first competition at the age of just 6. He became the first German driver to win the Formula 1 World Championship and is credited with popularizing the sport in Germany.

Schumacher's illustrious career ended in 2006 with 7 World Championship titles—a record no one had matched at the time. He holds numerous records in the sport, including the most championships for a driver, the most fastest laps, most race wins, most points scored, and the most wins in a single season. He was also the first and only driver to stand atop the podium after every race in an entire season (2002).

Beyond his sporting achievements, Schumacher is also known for his global charitable efforts, donating significant sums to various causes.

Muhammad Ali, born in 1942, was not only the number one boxer in the world during his prime but also became a cultural icon for African Americans in the United States.

Ali was renowned for his flamboyant and graceful fighting style, which was equally effective. With three world championships and an Olympic gold medal in 1968, he reached a level of greatness few could match. Not only were world-class boxers in awe of him, but a large majority of Americans considered him the greatest legend of all time. He was voted by international sports magazines as the Greatest Athlete of the 20th Century.

Carl Lewis, born in 1961, is a former American track and field athlete. Throughout the 1980s and 1990s, this American legend was unbeatable in events like the 100m, 200m, and 4x100m and 4x200m relay races. He also holds the long jump world record, a feat that has yet to be broken since 1984, and his streak of 65 consecutive victories in the long jump over 10 years remains one of the longest unbeaten streaks in world sports.

As one of the most decorated athletes in Olympic history, with multiple gold medals across four consecutive Olympic Games, Lewis is counted among the greatest legends in the history of track and field.

Serhiy Bubka, born in 1963, is a retired Ukrainian pole vaulter. He represented the Soviet Union until its collapse in 1991. Bubka was frequently named the world's best athlete and in 2012, he became one of the first 24 athletes inducted into the IAAF Hall of Fame.

Bubka won the World Championship title six times in a row, claimed an Olympic gold medal, and set 35 world records (17 outdoor and 18 indoor) between 1983 and 1997. He was the first athlete to clear 6 meters and remains the only person to vault over 6.10 meters (20 feet). His 6-meter clears surpass the total number of successful vaults by all other vaulters combined.

Usain Bolt, born in 1986, is a Jamaican track and field athlete. He holds both the Olympic and World records for the 100m, 200m, and shares the 4x100m relay world record with his teammates. Bolt became the first male athlete since 1984 to win gold in all three of these events at a single Olympic Games, and the first in history to set new records in all three prestigious sprinting disciplines at one Olympic competition.

With his remarkable achievements, he rightfully earned the title of the fastest man on the planet.

Tiger Woods, born in 1975, is a professional golfer from the United States, widely regarded as one of the greatest golfers of all time. Among his many achievements, Woods holds the record for the longest consecutive weeks at World No. 1 and the most weeks in total. He has been named PGA Tour Player of the Year a record 8 times and has led the money list 7 times.

A multi-ethnic icon, Woods is credited with popularizing golf worldwide, attracting a diverse audience and boosting television viewership. His technical brilliance and cultural impact have secured his place as one of the sport's greatest, often surpassing legends like Jack Nicklaus and Ben Hogan.

Roger Federer, born in 1981, is a professional Swiss tennis player, often referred to by nicknames such as the 'Swiss Maestro,' 'King of Records,' or 'The Everest of Tennis.'

Federer is one of the few athletes universally acknowledged as the greatest tennis player of all time. With 17 Grand Slam titles and more than 300 weeks at World No. 1, he has left his competitors far behind.

Almost flawless in his game, this tennis legend has left an indelible mark on the sport with his smooth, graceful style, which is as effective as it is elegant. Globally beloved for his class and composure, Federer stands as a symbol of the highest level of luxury and excellence in sports.

Born in 1960, football legend Diego Maradona from Argentina is often hailed as the greatest footballer of all time. He was awarded the title of Player of the Century, earning admiration from football fans worldwide.

Maradona's most significant achievement came in 1986 when he led Argentina to victory in the World Cup, scoring 5 goals during the tournament. His performances left an indelible mark on the world of football, and to this day, he is remembered as one of the sport's most iconic players. Out of the top 10 greatest goals in history, two of them were scored by Maradona.

Although he remains one of the most controversial figures in sports, having been banned for 15 months in 1991 after testing positive for drugs, Maradona is still revered by millions of football fans around the world.

Michael Jeffrey Jordan, born in 1963, is a world-renowned American professional basketball player, regarded as one of the greatest players of all time. Joining the Chicago Bulls at the age of 21, Jordan dominated the NBA for two decades in the 1980s and 1990s, securing two NBA three-peats.

Jordan's standout skills included his extraordinary shooting accuracy, excellent defense, and remarkable leaping ability, which earned him the nickname Air Jordan.

He was also instrumental in popularizing the NBA both in North America and around the globe. Jordan transformed basketball from a sport dominated by tall, elite athletes into a global cultural phenomenon that blended fashion, music, cinema, and more.