Ranking the top 100 professional athletes since 2000

The best athlete of the twenty first century? That is straightforward. It must be Tom Brady, the quarterback of the best dynasty America’s favourite sport has ever seen, a seven-time Tremendous Bowl champ and five-time Tremendous Bowl MVP. Yep. Tom Brady.

Besides. Besides it must be Lionel Messi, one of the best participant within the world’s favourite sport, an eight-time Ballon d’Or winner because the footballer of the 12 months. Yep, undoubtedly Messi.

Besides … no … LeBron James, proper? 4-time NBA champ, four-time Finals MVP, four-time regular-season MVP, 20-time All-NBA, most factors scored in NBA historical past. No athlete has dominated the general public dialog like LeBron has. He must be No. 1.

Besides, what about Serena Williams? Winner of 23 Grand Slam titles, the Serena Slam (holding all 4 main titles on the similar time) and 4 Olympic gold medals. And she or he obtained her remaining Grand Slam occasion win whereas pregnant, placing her profession on maintain whereas she was at her most dominant.

Besides, if you’re going to choose a tennis participant, what about Roger Federer? He reworked a complete sport together with his artistry, his chess sport on the courtroom, his blazing forehand. He gained 20 Grand Slam titles and have become essentially the most beloved tennis participant of all time. Gotta be Fed.

Yeah, besides Rafael Nadal gained 22 Grand Slam titles and Novak Djokovic has gained 24. You must choose one among them over Federer.

Hmm. Perhaps this is not really easy. We did not even point out the Olympians: Usain Bolt and Michael Phelps and Katie Ledecky and Simone Biles. Or Kobe. Gotta throw Kobe Bryant into the dialogue. Or Lewis Hamilton. Or Peyton Manning. Or Floyd Mayweather. Or Tiger. Geez, virtually forgot about Tiger Woods.

Sure, rating the highest 100 most completed athletes since 2000 wasn’t fairly really easy in spite of everything — but it surely positive was enjoyable. Twenty-five years in the past, the ESPN SportsCentury project ranked the highest 100 North American athletes of the twentieth century. Michael Jordan got here in first, adopted by Babe Ruth, Muhammad Ali, Jim Brown and Wayne Gretzky. (Ruth ought to have been No. 1, however hey, I am a baseball author.) We additionally ranked a horse: Secretariat got here in at No. 35.

With so many transcendent athletes over the previous 25 years, we thought it was time to do one other rating. I promise you there aren’t any horses this time (sorry, American Pharoah). In contemplating one of the best athletes of the twenty first century, nevertheless, we have now expanded our selections past North America. ESPN editions from across the globe contributed to the nominations and voting course of, in addition to the person sport record rankings that can comply with.

Voters have been instructed to think about solely an athlete’s efficiency since 2000. So, for Barry Bonds: He gained seven MVP awards, however solely 4 of these got here after 2000, as did 317 of his 762 house runs. Or Ken Griffey Jr.: He performed till 2010, however all of his greatest seasons got here within the Nineteen Nineties. Tiger gained 13 of his 15 majors from 2000 on, so he is in fine condition. Different athletes, resembling Patrick Mahomes or Nikola Jokic or Shohei Ohtani, clearly have extra greatness forward of them, so we’ll see how excessive their accomplishments to this point get them on the record.

In the long run, we obtained greater than 70,000 votes from ESPN contributors to create our prime 100. We are going to reveal 25 athletes each day this week till we attain our No. 1 athlete of the twenty first century.

Let the arguments start. — David Schoenfield, ESPN senior author

51. Steve Nash, basketball

Key accomplishments: NBA seventy fifth Anniversary staff, Basketball Corridor of Famer, two-time MVP, eight-time All-Star, seven-time All-NBA, five-time assists chief.

Earlier than phrases like “effectivity” and “tempo” turned as frequent a part of the NBA parlance as “slam dunk” and “pick-and-roll,” there was a diminutive guard from Canada who, as a recent of Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O’Neal within the late Nineteen Nineties via early 2000s, ended up with as many regular-season MVPs as the 2 of them mixed. Beneath the revolutionary tutelage of coach Mike D’Antoni with the Phoenix Suns, Nash gained the award in 2005 and 2006 as the purpose guard on the heralded “7 Seconds or Much less” groups that made it to 3 Western Convention finals in six years. Whereas Nash by no means gained a hoop, he maximized his skills as a 6-foot-3 level guard, capturing 50% general, 40% from 3 and 90% from the free throw line in 4 seasons and main the league in assists 5 instances. — Dave McMenamin

52. Adrian Beltré, baseball

Key accomplishments: Since Jan. 1, 2000: five-time Gold Glove winner, two-time Platinum Glove winner, four-time All-Star, 455 HRs in profession (fifth most since 2000); Corridor of Famer.

The lore of Beltre has grown since his retirement following the 2018 season and positioned him alongside Mike Schmidt and Brooks Robinson among the many sport’s greatest third basemen. Nobody at third performed extra video games than Beltre, a testomony to his willingness to grit via ache. He manned the place with grace and consistency, two tenets that apply to the remainder of his sport. Beltre’s counting stats by no means screamed celebrity, he by no means gained an MVP and his allergy to walks restricted his ceiling. However that is all ancillary to the reality of who Adrian Beltre was: the final word ballplayer’s ballplayer. — Jeff Passan

53. Derek Jeter, baseball

Key accomplishments: Since Jan. 1, 2000: two-time World Collection champ, 2000 World Collection MVP, Corridor of Famer, 2,658 hits (fifth-most since 2000), 141 postseason hits (most since 2000), 12-time All-Star.

Few gamers have had as many iconic moments: The Jeffrey Maier house run final century, the flip, the dive, Mr. November, the house run for hit No. 3,000, the walk-off single in his remaining sport. He did all of it within the stress cooker of New York, enjoying for the game’s most fabled franchise. Jeter’s legend can’t be separated from the pinstripes he wore: Earlier than he joined the Yankees, they hadn’t gained a World Collection in 18 years; with him, they gained 5. He has been retired 10 years now and we nonetheless hear Yankee Stadium PA announcer Bob Sheppard: “Now batting for the Yankees … No. 2 … Derek … Jeter.” — David Schoenfield

Key accomplishments: NHL 100 Best, Stanley Cup champion (Conn Smythe), second all time with 853 objectives, NHL-record 312 power-play objectives, nine-time Richard Trophy, three-time Hart Trophy and Lindsay Award, 2006 Calder Trophy, 2008 Artwork Ross Trophy.

There is not a participant within the NHL who has commanded a slap shot like Ovechkin in his profession. Even when Father Time has begun catching up in some areas, the pure energy behind his signature shot stays. Ovechkin’s success scoring 853 objectives (up to now) has come largely due to how he makes use of a giant body (6-foot-2) so as to add velocity and energy behind a shot that may exceed 100 mph. When Ovechkin places his weight behind a puck — significantly from his favourite right-circle spot — it is a howitzer for any goalie to cease. No surprise so many have didn’t maintain Ovi from lighting the lamp. — Kristen Shilton

Key accomplishments: Ballon d’Or winner, six-time Champions League winner, four-time LaLiga winner, World Cup finalist, Croatia’s most-capped participant, joint-most trophies gained with Actual Madrid.

“I would wish to ask you to by no means retire.” As information convention questions go, it was unconventional, however the Italian journalist’s plea — after Modrić’s Croatia was eradicated from Euro 2024 — was met with applause, echoing the sentiment. Everyone loves Modrić. “In addition to being a prime participant, probably the greatest on the planet, he is much more spectacular as an individual,” Actual Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti stated. Greater than some other participant, Modrić was elementary in creating Madrid’s relentless successful tradition over the previous decade. There is no one standout second — bar, maybe, main underdogs Croatia to a World Cup remaining in 2018 — however somewhat 12 months after 12 months of constant excellence. — Alex Kirkland

Key accomplishments: Eight-time Liga F champion, eight-time Copa de la Reina winner, three-time Champions League winner, Champions League Participant of the Season winner, World Cup winner, two-time Ballon d’Or winner, two-time The Greatest FIFA Girls’s Participant winner.

Putellas’ profession has been a battle on and off the pitch. On the pitch, she has reworked Spanish soccer, enjoying an element in Barça successful three Champions Leagues in 4 years and Spain turning into world champions. Off the pitch, she led the combat in opposition to the Spanish Soccer Federation for improved working circumstances. She has develop into an icon in Barcelona, the place her picture has stuffed large promoting boards within the metropolis centre, and she or he is named La Reina. “She is the captain and the queen of Barcelona for a motive,” teammate Lucy Bronze stated after Putellas’ objective within the 2024 Champions League remaining. “She confirmed in the present day why she is a back-to-back Ballon d’Or winner.” — Sam Marsden

57. Calvin Johnson, soccer

Key accomplishments: Corridor of Famer, six-time Professional Bowler, three-time first-team All-Professional, HOF All-2010s Workforce, single-season receiving yards report.

Often known as Megatron, Johnson was on the peak of his powers in 2012. That is when he set an NFL single-season report with 1,964 receiving yards, breaking Jerry Rice‘s report of 1,848 that had stood since 1985. “It was an unbelievable factor to play with a man like that. I feel from day one, I knew that I used to be throwing to a Corridor of Famer so long as he stayed wholesome,” Matthew Stafford, Johnson’s quarterback throughout the receiver’s final seven seasons with the Detroit Lions, advised ESPN in 2021. “He was a particular participant and an important particular person, an important teammate.” At 6-foot-5 and 237 kilos, Johnson possessed a 42½-inch vertical leap that allowed him to outjump defenders in online game trend. — Eric Woodyard

58. J.J. Watt, soccer

Key accomplishments: 5-time Professional Bowler, five-time first-team All-Professional, three-time Defensive POY (tied for many all-time), HOF All-2010s Workforce, solely participant with 20-plus sacks in a number of seasons.

Watt gained three NFL Defensive Participant of the 12 months awards in his profession, however his most dominant season got here in 2014. He had 20.5 sacks, the second time he’d accomplished that in his profession, in addition to 59 solo tackles, 29 tackles for loss, 4 compelled fumbles and an 80-yard interception return for a landing. Watt had one other defensive landing that season, and he had three offensive touchdowns. He gained his second NFL Defensive Participant of the 12 months award that season and completed second to quarterback Aaron Rodgers in MVP voting. Watt obtained 13 of fifty MVP votes that season, essentially the most by a defender since Lawrence Taylor gained the award in 1986. — Sarah Barshop

59. Mariano Rivera, baseball

Key accomplishments: Since Jan. 1, 2000: Corridor of Famer, two-time World Collection winner, 11-time All-Star, 523 saves and 29 postseason saves (each most since 2000).

Rivera was inevitability personified. Thriving in baseball’s most mercurial of roles — the ninth-inning reliever — he emerged from the bullpen to the pounding tones of Metallica’s “Enter Sandman” night time after night time, 12 months after 12 months. Each time he did so, dread-filled Yankees opponents knew the bell was tolling — for them. Armed with one pitch — a cutter that righty hitters waved at and lefty hitters couldn’t barrel up — Rivera turned New York’s nearer in 1997 and by no means put up something however stellar seasons on his solution to a 2.21 lifetime ERA and report 652 saves. For all of that, he was higher than anybody within the postseason, posting a 0.70 ERA and 42 saves over 96 playoff video games. — Bradford Doolittle

60. Candace Parker, basketball

Key accomplishments: Three-time WNBA champion, 2016 Finals MVP, two-time Olympic gold medalist, two-time WNBA MVP, seven-time All-WNBA First Workforce, 2008 WNBA Rookie of the 12 months, 2020 WNBA Defensive Participant of the 12 months, two-time NCAA champion, two-time Remaining 4 Most Excellent Participant, 2007 Wade Trophy winner.

Parker was recognized for having the ability to play any place, however at 6-foot-4 she was deadly as a submit participant with a various ability set. In faculty, Parker led Tennessee to teach Pat Summitt’s final two NCAA titles, in 2007 and 2008. The No. 1 WNBA draft choose by the Sparks in 2008, Parker had an epic first professional season: She was MVP and Rookie of the 12 months (no different participant has accomplished that) and gained Olympic gold. She spent 13 of her 16 WNBA seasons with the Sparks, however gained WNBA titles with Los Angeles, Chicago and Las Vegas. — Michael Voepel

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ESPN’s High 100 Athletes: Candace Parker’s spotlight reel

Take a look at among the greatest performs from WNBA celebrity Candace Parker as she lands at No. 60 in ESPN’s High 100 athletes of the twenty first century.

61. Ray Lewis, soccer

Key accomplishments: Corridor of Famer (2018), 12-time Professional Bowler, eight-time first-team All-Professional, solely participant with 40 sacks and 30 interceptions since sacks turned official in 1982.

Lewis redefined the center linebacker place as a three-down defender who made performs from sideline to sideline. His skill to make teammates round him higher established a storied custom of protection in Baltimore. From 2000 to ’12, the Ravens’ protection ranked among the many prime three within the NFL in seven of the ten seasons wherein Lewis performed a minimum of six video games. “Earlier than we get to his play, Ray is the best chief in staff sports activities historical past,” stated Shannon Sharpe, a Corridor of Fame tight finish who gained a Tremendous Bowl with Lewis in 2000. “Nobody is even shut.” — Jamison Hensley

Key accomplishments: Two-time MVP, 2018 Rookie of the 12 months, three-time All-Star, two 40-HR seasons, 38-19 report as pitcher (3.01 profession ERA), top-five Cy Younger end.

When ESPN runs the sequel to this train in 2050, Ohtani is the likeliest candidate from baseball to charge worthy of the highest 10. His first seven years in MLB have been transcendent. What earlier than him was taken as reality — that no person can hit and pitch at a excessive sufficient degree to warrant doing each — is now null. Ohtani arrived from Japan with a freighter of hype and solely exceeded it, stretching the definition of what a baseball participant could be. “Shohei,” Dodgers president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman stated, “is arguably essentially the most gifted participant who’s ever performed this sport.” — Jeff Passan

63. Allyson Felix, monitor

Key accomplishments: 11-time Olympic medalist, seven-time Olympic gold medalist, report 18-time world championship medalist.

5 Olympics. Eleven medals. Best U.S. runner in Olympic historical past. However a better have a look at Felix’s seven Olympic gold medals reveals one other facet to her success. In a sport outlined by particular person success, she may also be the best teammate in historical past. Felix gained six of her seven Olympic gold medals as a part of relays: two within the 4×100 meters and 4 within the 4×400. Her solely particular person gold got here on the 2012 London Video games within the 200 meters after taking silver within the earlier two Olympics. That Felix skilled a lot of her success whereas supporting her teammates comes as no shock.

Within the years since she retired from the game, she has been an outspoken advocate for Black ladies’s maternal well being care and pay fairness and protections for girls athletes after childbirth. — Alyssa Roenigk

64. Mia Hamm, soccer

Key accomplishments: Two-time World Cup winner, two-time Olympic gold medalist, two-time NCAA Division I champion, three-time ESPYS winner, U.S. Soccer Corridor of Famer.

Hamm is probably the primary world celebrity to emerge out of ladies’s soccer, and she or he was a reluctant one at that. However on the sector, in distinction, she performed with the boldness and killer intuition you’d anticipate from one of many world’s biggest objective scorers. She had a knack for distinctive ball management and precision in her photographs. That is why she nonetheless is the No. 2 objectives chief for the USWNT, with 158 worldwide objectives. — Caitlin Murray

Key accomplishments: World Cup winner, seven-time Ligue 1 winner, four-time French Cup winner.

At the moment one of the best soccer participant on the planet, Mbappé has adopted the trail of an absolute prodigy of the sport. He made his skilled debut at 16, scored his first objective at 17, performed for France at 18 and gained the World Cup at 19! His transfer from PSG to Actual Madrid this summer time will take him to new heights and can strengthen much more his standing because the inheritor of Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.

In 2018, he took the world by storm and have become the second teenager in historical past alongside Pelé to attain in a World Cup remaining. In 2022, he made extra World Cup historical past together with his hat trick within the World Cup remaining loss in opposition to Argentina. “He’s only a phenomenon. He’s such a generational expertise. You simply do not see many gamers like him. He’s solely 25, however his profession is already wonderful,” Thierry Henry stated about his compatriot. — Julien Laurens

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ESPN’s High 100 Athletes: Kylian Mbappé

Take a look at the athletic feats of Kylian Mbappé, one of many vibrant younger stars in soccer and No. 65 on ESPN’s record of the highest 100 athletes of the previous 25 years.

Key accomplishments: UFC mild heavyweight and heavyweight champion, youngest fighter to win a UFC championship, most wins in UFC mild heavyweight historical past (20), most wins in UFC title fights (15), tied for many profitable title defenses in UFC historical past (11), longest unbeaten streak in UFC historical past (19), UFC Corridor of Famer.

There is a motive UFC president Dana White calls Jones the best blended martial artist to ever reside. In a sport the place the margin between victory and defeat is razor skinny, Jones has managed to go 16 years with out being defeated by an opponent (his solely “loss” got here by way of controversial DQ to Matt Hamill in 2009).

After turning into the youngest fighter to win a UFC championship in 2011, Jones went dominant on a litany of Corridor of Fame caliber fighters for the subsequent 4 years, with spectacular wins over the likes of Daniel Cormier, Quinton “Rampage” Jackson, Lyoto Machida, Vitor Belfort and Rashad Evans. Not solely did he beat them, however he did so by enjoying to his opponent’s strengths after which operating roughshod over them. The résumé is simple, and the accolades are nonetheless piling up. — Andreas Hale

Key accomplishments: NBA seventy fifth Anniversary staff, 2017-18 MVP, 10-time All-Star, seven-time All-NBA choice, three-time scoring chief, two-time assists chief, 2011-12 Sixth Man of the 12 months.

Harden will go down as one of the crucial prolific scorers in NBA historical past, however The Beard and his step-back have been practically unstoppable from 2017 to 2020. He began his scoring spree with an MVP season in 2017-18, averaging 30.4 factors, 8.8 assists and 5.4 rebounds. And he was even higher the next season, averaging 36.1 factors in 2018-19 — the eighth-highest common in NBA historical past. Solely Wilt Chamberlain, Elgin Baylor and Michael Jordan have averaged extra factors in a single season. He then averaged 34.3 factors in 2019-20 to win his third consecutive scoring title. His scoring overshadows his different elite ability as a passer. Harden is the one participant in NBA historical past to win three scoring titles and two help titles. — Ohm Youngmisuk

Key accomplishments: Six main victories, turned oldest main champion all-time at 2021 PGA Championship (first to win main after turning 50).

Whereas historical past continues to outline Mickelson’s legacy after he recruited golfers to the Saudi Arabian-funded LIV Golf League, there is no denying he was as soon as among the many hottest gamers on the planet. The golfer often called Lefty broke an 0-for-46 drought in majors when he captured the 2004 Masters. He mesmerized followers together with his unimaginable brief sport and gained them over with a shy grin and thumbs-up gestures. He turned the game’s oldest main champion at age 50 when he gained the 2021 PGA Championship — and was a pariah in his sport lower than a 12 months later. — Mark Schlabach

69. Jason Kidd, basketball

Key accomplishments: NBA seventy fifth Anniversary Workforce, Basketball Corridor of Famer, 2011 NBA champion, eight-time All-Star, eight-time All-Protection, five-time All-NBA choice, four-time assists chief.

If not for Shaquille O’Neal and Tim Duncan and the Lakers and Spurs dynasties of the early 2000s, Kidd may’ve had one other championship and an MVP on his illustrious résumé. Throughout his first two seasons in New Jersey, Kidd was on the peak of a profession that noticed him end as one of many sport’s most elite passers and versatile triple-double threats. Kidd made teammates higher in every single place he went, which was by no means extra evident than throughout his first season in New Jersey in 2001-02, when he turned the Nets round from 26 wins the season earlier than to 52 wins, resulting in the franchise’s first Finals look.

Kidd, although, completed second in MVP voting to Duncan earlier than being swept within the Finals by O’Neal and Kobe Bryant. The next season, Kidd obtained the Nets again to the Finals solely to lose in six video games to Duncan and the Spurs. He would lastly get a championship ring enjoying alongside Dirk Nowitzki in Dallas in 2011. — Ohm Youngmisuk

70. Andrés Iniesta, soccer

Key accomplishments: World Cup winner, two-time European Championship winner, four-time Champions League winner, nine-time LaLiga winner, Ballon d’Or runner-up.

On July 11, 2010, Iniesta modified Spanish soccer endlessly. Within the 116th minute of the World Cup remaining in Johannesburg, South Africa — the sport, tied at 0-0, had gone to further time — Iniesta collected a cross from Cesc Fabregas contained in the penalty field, and coolly fired the bouncing ball low previous Netherlands goalkeeper Maarten Stekelenburg. Cue euphoria. Spain gained the sport 1-0, lifted the World Cup for the primary time, and Iniesta immediately turned the most well-liked man within the nation. A chic, skillful playmaker, he was additionally a key member of probably the greatest membership sides of the fashionable period, Pep Guardiola’s Barcelona. — Alex Kirkland

71. Manny Pacquiao, boxing

Key accomplishments: Since Jan. 1, 2000: 35-6-2 professional report, multidivision world champion, held world titles in 2000s, 2010s and 2020s.

Pacquiao was unknown when he first fought within the U.S in 2001, however he turned a report eight-division world champion. His all-attack, buzz noticed fashion, with punches thrown from all angles, overwhelmed ring greats resembling Marco Antonio Barrera, Erik Morales, Oscar De La Hoya and Miguel Cotto.

His combat in opposition to Floyd Mayweather took 5 years to lastly occur, and whereas it did not ship the leisure boxing followers have been anticipating, it generated greater than $600 million in whole income. Pacquiao additionally had a memorable feud with Juan Manuel Marquez, successful the primary three fights and shedding the fourth by KO. Pacquiao recovered from that defeat in 2012 to win six extra welterweight title fights by 2019. — Nick Parkinson

72. Shaun White, snowboarding

Key accomplishments: Three-time Olympic gold medalist in halfpipe (2006, 2010, 2018), 15-time X Video games medalist.

White stood on the prime of the halfpipe on the 2018 Olympics and ready to take his third and remaining run. He was in second place behind two-time silver medalist Ayumu Hirano, who had simply landed back-to-back 1440s. White knew he wanted to land the combo to greatest Hirano, however 4 months earlier, he’d crashed making an attempt to study a cab double cork 1440 and suffered horrific accidents that required 62 stitches in his face and landed him in intensive care.

White hadn’t tried the trick since, and he’d by no means landed back-to-back 14s. However in a transfer that embodied White’s aggressive nature and the spirit of motion sports activities, he went for the combo, rode away clear and gained his third Olympic gold within the occasion. “Earlier than my final run, I used to be like, ‘OK, I can reside with second,'” White stated that night time. “However I spotted at that second, I did not must.” — Alyssa Roenigk

Key accomplishments: 2018 MVP, two-time World Collection winner (2018 with the Boston Purple Sox, 2020 with the Los Angeles Dodgers), seven-time All-Star, six-time Gold Glove, six-time Silver Slugger, gained batting title in 2018.

It was a scorching, sweltering day early in spring coaching. The Purple Sox have been coming off a 2018 World Collection title and the coaching workers had gamers operating a cone drill. Most took it sluggish and leisurely. One didn’t. Perhaps that helps clarify why Betts is probably the proper ballplayer — a exceptional hitter for common and energy, a proper fielder who can execute the unimaginable throw (ask Tony Kemp), an athlete who can transfer to shortstop mid-career. A Harvard evaluation from 2021 named Betts one of the best all-around participant in MLB historical past: Sure, Betts is sweet at every part. — David Schoenfield

74. Lisa Leslie, basketball

Key accomplishments: Two-time WNBA champion, two-time Finals MVP, three-time Olympic gold medalist, three-time WNBA MVP, two-time WNBA Defensive Participant of the 12 months, seven-time All-WNBA First Workforce, Basketball Corridor of Famer.

Leslie was a highschool phenom in Inglewood, California, who performed collegiately at USC and professionally for the Los Angeles Sparks. However she made a worldwide influence on the sport, successful 4 Olympic gold medals (three since 2000) and was the nationwide staff’s mainstay within the submit her whole USA Basketball profession. Leslie led the Sparks to the 2001 and 2002 WNBA titles and the 2003 Finals. Leslie, Sheryl Swoopes and Lauren Jackson are the WNBA’s solely three-time MVPs. She is the fashionable mannequin for her place; fittingly, the Corridor of Fame/WBCA honor for girls’s faculty facilities was named the Lisa Leslie Award in 2018. — Michael Voepel

75. Xavi Hernandez, soccer

Key accomplishments: World Cup winner, two-time European Championship winner, two-time Champions League winner, eight-time LaLiga winner.

Xavi had so many profession highs that it is unimaginable to select only one. You may select Barcelona’s well-known 6-2 win at rivals Actual Madrid, Xavi enjoying an element in 4 of the objectives. Or his efficiency within the 2009 Champions League remaining, supplying the cross for Lionel Messi’s headed opening objective. You can choose Barcelona’s dominant 3-1 win over Manchester United in 2011. For a sport that summed up an period, you’d spotlight Spain’s 4-0 demolition of Italy at Euro 2012, the apotheosis of their tiki-taka short-passing fashion, which Xavi personified. However let’s select a complete season: Xavi’s imperial 2008-09, when the midfielder — arguably the sport’s best-ever passer — registered a staggering 20 assists in 35 LaLiga matches. — Alex Kirkland

76. Georges St-Pierre, MMA

Key accomplishments: UFC Corridor of Famer, UFC welterweight and middleweight champion, 9 UFC welterweight title defenses.

Arguably no fighter in UFC historical past bridged the hole higher from the game’s “older days” to its fashionable type. Significantly from 2006 to 2013, St-Pierre represented every part blended martial arts was searching for. He was basically good in these years, successful 14 of 15 bouts, together with 12 title fights. At one level, he gained 33 consecutive rounds. He was solely chargeable for an explosion of fan curiosity in Canada and was one of many promotion’s largest stars globally. His fashion was forward of its time, recognized for mixing quite a lot of abilities seamlessly collectively. He’s additionally remembered as one of the crucial outspoken critics of performance-enhancing medicine throughout his period. — Brett Okamoto

77. Shelly-Ann Fraser Pryce, monitor

Key accomplishments: Eight-time Olympic medalist, three-time Olympic gold medalist, report 5 100-meter world titles, oldest sprinter (35 in 2022) to win world title.

Sooner or later after Usain Bolt’s win within the 100 meters on the 2008 Beijing Olympics, Fraser-Pryce turned the primary lady from the Caribbean to win Olympic gold within the occasion. 4 years later, she defended her title within the 100 (as did Bolt), additional cementing Jamaica’s fame as a sprinting powerhouse. Solely 5 ft tall and sometimes sporting rainbow locks, the “Pocket Rocket” has medaled in monitor and discipline’s quickest race prior to now 4 Video games. In Paris, her fifth and remaining Olympics, Fraser-Pryce will line up as soon as extra with the objective of reclaiming her title because the quickest lady alive. — Alyssa Roenigk

78. Bernard Hopkins, boxing

Key accomplishments: 55-8-2 report (32 KOs) from 1988 to 2016, oldest ever boxing world champion at age 49, 20 middleweight title defenses, two-division world champion

Hopkins’ otherworldly longevity noticed him fittingly name himself “The Alien” late in a 28-year skilled profession. He made a report 20 world middleweight title defenses (1996-2005) and stopped Oscar De La Hoya with a physique shot to develop into undisputed champion in 2004. The Philadelphia native’s ring IQ and distinctive conditioning allowed him to win world titles properly into his 40s. In 2011, Hopkins outpointed Jean Pascal for the sunshine heavyweight title to develop into the oldest boxing world champion at 46 years previous. Two years later, Hopkins gained again a light-weight heavyweight title, and in 2014, at age 49, he defeated mild heavyweight champion Beibut Shumenov. — Nick Parkinson

Key accomplishments: Two-time MVP (2015 and 2021), 2012 NL Rookie of the 12 months, seven-time All-Star, three-time Silver Slugger, 2022 NLCS MVP, 2018 HR Derby champion at Nationals Park

He was on the duvet of Sports activities Illustrated at 16 with the headline “Baseball’s Chosen One” and has in some way managed to reside as much as the hype, together with among the greatest postseason numbers of all time. He even helped make baseball enjoyable once more — from his all-out fashion of play to his inexperienced Phillie Phanatic cleats. Hardly ever has there been a extra good match between ballplayer and metropolis than Harper and Philadelphia. “He brings you into his sport together with his expertise and grit. That resonates with the fan base,” stated former Phillies nice Chase Utley. — David Schoenfield

80. Andy Murray, tennis

Key accomplishments: Three-time Grand Slam singles champion, completed in prime 10 for 9 consecutive years (2008-16), two-time Olympic gold medalist in singles.

As soon as part of the game’s Massive 4, Murray was basically faraway from the dialog as Federer, Nadal and Djokovic emerged in a league of their very own. However even whereas his tally of three main championships pales compared to these of his prime friends, there was maybe no victory extra memorable than Murray’s first title at Wimbledon in 2013. A 12 months after coming devastatingly near successful his house Slam, a decided Murray held off Djokovic in three convincing units to win his maiden main title. By no means one to have the ability to disguise his feelings, Murray brazenly sobbed on the courtroom after the victory, proving simply how a lot it meant to him. The BBC referred to as the achievement “the Holy Grail” for British sport. — D’Arcy Maine

81. Sheryl Swoopes, basketball

Key accomplishments: 4-time WNBA champion, three-time Olympic gold medalist, three-time WNBA MVP, three-time WNBA Defensive Participant of the 12 months, five-time All-WNBA First Workforce, Basketball Corridor of Famer.

Swoopes, a key a part of the Houston Comets’ dynasty, gained the final of her 4 WNBA titles in 2000 and was the league’s MVP in 2000, 2002 and 2005. Identified for three-level scoring, she was additionally probably the greatest disrupters of passing lanes in ladies’s hoops historical past, which helped result in her being honored because the WNBA’s greatest defensive participant in 2000, 2002 and 2003. Two of her three Olympic golds got here in 2000 and 2004, and she or he performed within the WNBA till age 40. — Michael Voepel

82. Kohei Uchimura, gymnastics

Key accomplishments: Seven-time Olympic medalist, three-time Olympic gold medalist, six-time particular person all-around world champion.

Over an eight-year interval from 2009 to 2016, Uchimura dominated males’s gymnastics, going undefeated in all-around competitors, successful back-to-back Olympic titles and main the Japanese staff to gold on the Rio Video games. He retired from the game in 2022 with a fame for pairing excessive issue with unmatched consistency and flawless execution and is broadly thought-about to be the GOAT of males’s gymnastics.

In one among his most memorable all-around performances, Uchimura averaged greater than a 9.0 execution rating on each equipment to take the all-around title on the 2011 world championships in Tokyo, which have been held seven months after an earthquake and tsunami devastated northeast Japan. — Alyssa Roenigk

Key accomplishments: NBA seventy fifth Anniversary staff, 12-time All-Star, 11-time All-NBA choice, nine-time All-Protection, 2013 All-Star Recreation MVP, 2005-06 Rookie of the 12 months, six-time steals chief, five-time assists chief.

Paul has run 1000’s of pick-and-rolls to perfection and dished the ball out for practically 12,000 assists, however his biggest accomplishment might need been remodeling the LA Clippers from annual punching baggage to perennial playoff contenders whereas orchestrating the unforgettable Lob Metropolis groups. Earlier than Paul’s arrival in Los Angeles, the franchise had made the postseason simply seven instances in its historical past.

Paul’s Clippers made the playoffs six consecutive instances as he delivered among the most scintillating alley-oops in NBA historical past to Blake Griffin and DeAndre Jordan. Clippers followers will not neglect Paul’s Recreation 7-winning operating financial institution shot that capped off a 27-point efficiency in opposition to the defending champion San Antonio Spurs within the first spherical in 2015. — Ohm Youngmisuk

84. Lauren Jackson, basketball

Key accomplishments: Two-time WNBA champion, 2010 Finals MVP, three-time Olympic silver and one-time bronze medalist, three-time WNBA MVP, 2007 WNBA Defensive Participant of the 12 months, seven-time All-WNBA first staff, two-time WNBA All-Defensive first staff, Basketball Corridor of Famer.

Jackson is one of the best ladies’s basketball participant from Australia, and probably the greatest from anyplace. Drafted No. 1 by the Seattle Storm at age 19 in 2001, she is one among three gamers to be a three-time WNBA MVP. She led the Storm to the 2004 and 2010 league titles, and her 2007 and 2006 seasons are the highest two in participant effectivity ranking in WNBA historical past. Jackson was recognized for her highly effective inside presence offensively and defensively. Her WNBA profession ended after the 2012 season due to harm points, however she later resumed her profession in Australia and has made her fifth Olympic staff this 12 months at age 43. — Michael Voepel

Key accomplishments: Two-time Finals MVP, two-time NBA champion, six-time All-Star, five-time All-NBA choice, two-time Defensive Participant of the 12 months.

Not even an LA Clippers tenure marred by accidents can diminish a legacy that solely a handful of gamers in historical past can match or prime. Leonard is one among 12 gamers to ever win two NBA Finals MVP trophies. None of them, nevertheless, led a Canadian staff to the nation’s first NBA championship. In main Toronto to the title in 2019, Leonard cemented himself as one of many sport’s most clutch gamers when wholesome within the playoffs. He delivered one of the crucial legendary buzzer-beaters in playoff historical past when his twisting nook jumper softly bounced on the rim 4 instances and in to get rid of Philadelphia in Recreation 7 of the Japanese Convention semifinals that season.

Even throughout his five-year Clippers tenure, Leonard has proven indicators of dominance when wholesome. He simply has to complete a postseason wholesome once more, one thing he hasn’t accomplished for the reason that 2020 bubble. — Ohm Youngmisuk

Key accomplishments: Seven-time main singles champ, five-time Wimbledon champ, 270 main match wins (fifth most by a lady within the Open period), a report 89 profession main appearances in singles.

The elder Williams sister burst onto the tennis scene as an enthusiastic and joyful teenager, and sure would have gained many extra titles if not for the arrival of Serena. Whereas Williams’ outcomes have been exceptional, and she or he has essentially the most main titles amongst lively ladies on tour, she has been equally influential off the courtroom as a champion for gender equality in tennis and past.

Whereas advocating for equal pay at Wimbledon, Williams requested match officers at a gathering a easy query: “Would you need your daughter or your sister or your mom or your spouse or a liked one to be a lady paid much less?'” Wimbledon began providing equal prize cash for women and men in 2007. Williams referred to as the achievement “one of the best second of my profession” in 2023. — D’Arcy Maine

87. Ronaldo Nazário, soccer

Key accomplishments: Two-time FIFA World Cup winner, two-time Ballon d’Or winner, two-time Copa América winner, three-time FIFA World Participant of the 12 months, Golden Ball winner 1998 males’s World Cup, Golden Boot winner 2002 males’s World Cup.

The unique Ronaldo was most likely the quickest, strongest striker operating with the ball within the historical past of the sport, able to variations at tempo and in a position to decelerate, maintain his head nonetheless and shoot at objective with cool precision. All of those virtues have been greatest seen within the twentieth century — however the twenty first got here up with one of the best storyline. Twice his knee collapsed beneath him and he was left howling in grotesque ache. Many thought the second time was the tip of his profession.

Within the buildup to the 2002 World Cup, Inter Milan, his Italian membership, couldn’t get him match. Brazil took cost, and he took the match by storm, carrying a facet that just about didn’t qualify all the way in which to a memorable triumph. It is among the nice comeback tales within the historical past of sport. — Tim Vickery

88. Roy Halladay, baseball

Key accomplishments: Since Jan. 1, 2000: Corridor of Famer, two-time Cy Younger winner (one among seven gamers to win Cy Younger in each American and Nationwide leagues), eight-time All-Star, two no-hitters.

Halladay was the product of a bygone period wherein a pitcher endeavored to complete what he began. By no means gifted with overwhelming velocity, Halladay killed with paper cuts. He walked hitters at an virtually equivalent charge to Greg Maddux and logged 220-plus-inning seasons like they have been nothing. His proper arm obtained the glory, but it surely was Halladay’s mind — his innate sense of find out how to pitch to each hitter — that gained him 203 video games. When he died in a airplane crash in 2017, a profound unhappiness unfold via the game. The nice pitching artisan was gone, by no means to be replicated. — Jeff Passan

89. Annika Sorenstam, golf

Key accomplishments: Since Jan. 1, 2000: Eight main wins (most throughout span); earned 54 of her 72 profession LPGA Tour victories, competed in PGA Tour occasion in 2003.

It isn’t solely that the Swedish-born golfer gained 97 instances world wide, captured 10 main championships and is the one lady to card a 59 in knowledgeable match. Or that Sorenstam gained 11 instances in 2002 — essentially the most on the LPGA Tour in practically 40 years — and have become the primary lady to play in a PGA occasion in additional than a half-century when she competed within the Financial institution of America Colonial Match in 2003. It is that when Sorenstam retired from full-time aggressive play at age 38 in 2008, she nonetheless had a few of her greatest golf in entrance of her. Throughout her Corridor of Fame profession, Sorenstam set scoring data for 72- and 54-hole tournaments. — Mark Schlabach

Key accomplishments: Two-time WNBA champion, 2023 Finals MVP, 2020 Olympic gold medalist, two-time WNBA MVP, two-time WNBA Defensive Participant of the 12 months, 2018 WNBA Rookie of the 12 months, three-time All-WNBA first staff, two-time WNBA All-Defensive first staff, 2017 NCAA champion and Remaining 4 Most Excellent Participant, 2018 Wade Trophy winner.

Wilson helped lead her hometown South Carolina Gamecocks to their first Remaining 4 in 2015 and first NCAA title in 2017. The No. 1 choose in 2018, she was drafted by the newly relocated Las Vegas Aces and has been an ideal match there. She lately turned the franchise’s main profession scorer and can take part in her second Olympics. She is favored to win a 3rd WNBA MVP award and is on monitor to have one of the best participant effectivity ranking in league historical past. She turns 28 in August however already has a statue exterior her faculty enviornment. — Michael Voepel

Key accomplishments: 4-time NFL MVP, 10-time Professional Bowler, four-time first-team All-Professional, HOF All-2010s staff, Tremendous Bowl XLV MVP, 475 cross TDs (Packers’ profession chief).

Of all of the superlatives and milestones that can be utilized to elucidate Rodgers’ greatness, here is one that always will get ignored. He is the NFL’s profession chief in touchdown-to-interception ratio (475 TDs, 105 INTS). In that manner, he was the anti-Brett Favre, but he carried on Favre’s exceptional run of success in Inexperienced Bay earlier than getting traded to the Jets. Packers coach Matt LaFleur maybe described Rodgers’ influence greatest when he stated close to the tip of Rodgers’ run with the Packers: “Lots of people have been rewarded, fairly frankly, due to his skill to go on the market and play.” — Rob Demovsky

Key accomplishments: Since Jan. 1, 2000: Corridor of Famer, 2000 Cy Younger Winner, four-time All-Star, three-time ERA title, 2004 World Collection winner, 2000 and 2002 strikeout chief.

Earlier than Martinez and his 2004 Boston teammates ended the franchise’s epic World Collection title drought, each Purple Sox star needed to discipline limitless questions concerning the “Curse of the Bambino.” One in all Martinez’s solutions summed up how a brief, skinny righty might develop into one of the crucial dominant hurlers ever: “I do not imagine in rattling curses. Get up the rattling Bambino and have me face him. Perhaps I will drill him within the a–.” From 1997 to 2003, the peak of one among baseball’s most explosive offensive eras, Martinez was nearly as good as any pitcher has ever been, going 118-36 with a 2.20 ERA, 213 ERA+ and over 250 strikeouts per season and successful three Cy Younger Awards. — Bradford Doolittle

Key accomplishments: 122 weeks spent as world No. 1 golfer, 26 PGA Tour victories (together with 4 main wins), a Masters victory shy of finishing profession Grand Slam.

After McIlroy gained his first two main championships, the 2011 U.S. Open and 2012 PGA Championship, by eight strokes after which added two extra majors in a three-week span in 2014, The Guardian of London declared that it was “the dawning of a brand new period.” There is no query McIlroy has been one of the crucial constant and common golfers of his technology. He has gained 40 instances, together with 26 instances on the PGA Tour. He’s a three-time PGA Tour Participant of the 12 months and a five-time winner of the DP World Tour’s Race to Dubai. Nevertheless, McIlroy’s practically 10-year drought within the 4 majors since capturing the 2014 PGA Championship leaves him a step beneath legends resembling Tiger Woods, Jack Nicklaus, Arnold Palmer and others. Except, in fact, McIlroy nonetheless has a number of extra victories coming. — Mark Schlabach

94. Ronaldinho, soccer

Key accomplishments: FIFA World Cup winner, Ballon d’Or winner, Copa América winner, two-time FIFA World Participant of the 12 months, two-time LaLiga winner.

If longevity weren’t a think about defining the best of all time, then Ronaldinho will surely be a candidate for his feats in his first three years with Barcelona. Between 2003 and 2006, there was no higher present in soccer. There have been few, if any, extra gifted gamers within the historical past of the worldwide sport, and all too briefly Ronaldinho captivated together with his childlike glee at his personal achievements, reminding so a lot of why they fell in love with the game within the first place. A disappointing 2006 World Cup was a turning level, and he appeared to develop weary of the sacrifices wanted to remain on the prime degree. However these three years have been unforgettable. — Tim Vickery

95. Zlatan Ibrahimović, soccer

Key accomplishments: 511 profession objectives, scored a minimum of one Champions League objective with six groups, 12 league titles with 5 European golf equipment, named to UEFA’s staff of the 12 months 4 instances, Sweden’s main profession scorer, represented Sweden at six main tournaments.

“I am unable to assist however giggle at how good I’m.” There has by no means existed an athlete who was nearly as good as Zlatan Ibrahimović stated he was, however the 6-foot-5 striker did in addition to anybody might — and for so long as anybody might — at approaching that degree. He was the purest scorer this facet of Cristiano Ronaldo; he put the ball within the internet a minimum of as soon as in 4 totally different many years, and he saved bettering into his 30s. He scored a minimum of 30 objectives in all competitions six instances between 2011 and 2019, peaking with an unimaginable 50-goal marketing campaign with PSG in 2015-16. He was the personification of artistry and brute power on the similar time. — Invoice Connelly

96. Darrelle Revis, soccer

Key accomplishments: Corridor of Famer (2023), seven-time Professional Bowler, four-time first-team All-Professional, HOF All-2010s staff.

Revis took man-to-man protection to a brand new degree in 2009 when the Jets’ teaching workers made the unconventional choice to place him on the opponents’ prime receiver with no security assist. He was on his personal island, so to talk, spawning the “Revis Island” moniker. The consequence was probably the greatest cornerback seasons in historical past. Revis held Andre Johnson, Randy Moss (twice) and Terrell Owens (twice) — all Corridor of Famers — underneath 35 receiving yards. He did the identical to Torry Holt, Steve Smith Sr., Reggie Wayne and Chad “Ochocinco” Johnson. He completed with six interceptions and a staggering 31 passes defended, incomes the primary of 4 first-team All-Professional alternatives. — Wealthy Cimini

97. Virat Kohli, cricket

Key accomplishments: ODI World Cup champion, T20 World Cup champion, two-time T20 World Cup Participant of the Match, 2023 ODI World Cup Participant of the Match, two-time ICC Cricketer of the 12 months, most centuries in ODI historical past (50), second-highest scorer in T20Is, third-highest scorer in ODIs, India’s most profitable Check captain.

Kohli gained the World Cup early in his profession, however he was liable to fading away into mediocrity within the early 2010s. A fierce fitness-driven strategy — the type that was unusual in cricket then — coupled with unrelenting drive catapulted him from “expertise” to titan. The fireplace inside interprets onto the sector. The Indian batter is the final word competitor and has gained video games on willpower alone. The depth of his ardour sparks concern within the opposition and bedlam within the stands. Kohli wasn’t born to be one of the best; he simply willed himself to be. — Shubi Arun

Key accomplishments: 5-time Artwork Ross Trophy winner, three-time Hart Trophy winner, seven 100-point seasons in first 9 NHL seasons, 2024 Conn Smythe winner.

It could possibly be formidable to be touted as The Subsequent One behind Edmonton Oilers legend Wayne Gretzky. McDavid is not like the remainder, although. Edmonton’s captain has embraced that highlight as Gretzky’s inheritor obvious. It was becoming when McDavid broke a report Gretzky set in 1987-88 together with his thirty second help of the 2024 postseason throughout Edmonton’s run to a Stanley Cup Remaining. McDavid had lengthy been an distinctive playmaker in his personal proper, however the way in which he carried the Oilers again from a 3-0 sequence deficit within the Remaining to power a decisive Recreation 7 was spectacular. And it rightly earned McDavid a Conn Smythe Trophy within the shedding effort. — Kristen Shilton

99. Ed Reed, soccer

Key accomplishments: Corridor of Famer (2019), nine-time Professional Bowler, five-time first-team All-Professional, HOF All-2000s staff, 2004 Defensive Participant of the 12 months.

Reed was the final word defensive sport changer of his technology. In 2004, he set an NFL report by returning an interception 106 yards for a landing in opposition to the Browns. 4 years later, he broke his personal report with a 107-yarder in opposition to the Eagles. Reed is the one participant in NFL historical past to attain touchdowns off a punt return, blocked punt, interception and fumble restoration.

“You see the protection’s out in the midst of the sector and have a wide-open throw on the best. The subsequent factor you already know he is intercepting it,” former Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger stated. “The place did he come from? It is unimaginable. That is what made it such a problem. He made the unimaginable doable.” — Jamison Hensley

100. Charles Woodson, soccer

Key accomplishments: Corridor of Famer (2021), nine-time Professional Bowler, three-time first-team All-Professional, HOF All-2000s staff, 2009 Defensive Participant of the 12 months.

Woodson’s profession was a three-act play. In Oakland, as a Heisman Trophy-winning No. 4 choose, he was a hard-partying, hard-playing Corridor of Fame expertise. In Inexperienced Bay, he turned a Corridor of Famer. And together with his return to the Raiders, he turned a legend, making the change from wild teen at cornerback to sage vet at free security. And if he misplaced a step, it was one treasured few others ever had. “It was a gorgeous transition,” Woodson stated, “if you’ll.” And his first NFL coach, Jon Gruden, most actually would. The slower-paced way of life of Inexperienced Bay helped Woodson, properly, decelerate and heart himself. “And he met and married the best lady and had children,” Gruden stated. — Paul Gutierrez

Methodology

Specialists in particular person sports activities have been requested to vote to rank the highest athletes of their sport since Jan. 1, 2000 (no accomplishments earlier than this date have been to be thought-about). These votes pared down swimming pools in every sport to lists of 10 to 25 athletes every, which constituted the general candidate pool for the highest athletes of the twenty first century to this point. Every voter was offered two randomly chosen names and requested to select which one has had the higher profession within the twenty first century. Throughout repeated, randomized head-to-head matchups, greater than 70,000 votes have been solid at this stage, and utilizing an Elo ranking system, the record was pared down from 262 to 100. That record was then evaluated by a panel of specialists for any inconsistencies or oversights, ensuing within the prime 100 rating seen right here.