Greatest ever sportsperson?

We took a simple question to the streets: who is the greatest sportsperson of all time, from the twentieth century to today? Instead of one name dominating, we heard twenty different answers. Each choice came with a story about excellence, influence, and moments that defined entire sports.

Here are the twenty athletes people named, along with the stories behind them.

Muhammad Ali (Boxing, USA)

Born: 17 January 1942, Louisville, Kentucky, USA
Died: 3 June 2016

Originally named Cassius Clay, Ali won the world heavyweight title three times and became famous for both his speed in the ring and his outspoken personality. He refused military service during the Vietnam War on religious grounds, sacrificing years of his career. Many regard him as the greatest heavyweight boxer ever and one of the most influential athletes in history.

Pelé (Football, Brazil)

Born: 23 October 1940, Três Corações, Brazil
Died: 29 December 2022

Pelé won three World Cups with Brazil in 1958, 1962 and 1970, a record no other player has matched. He scored over 1,000 career goals and became the first true global football superstar. For many, he represents football’s golden age and its rise as the world’s most popular sport.

Diego Maradona (Football, Argentina)

Born: 30 October 1960, Lanús, Argentina
Died: 25 November 2020

Maradona is best remembered for the 1986 World Cup, where he scored two of the most famous goals in football history in the same match against England. Despite struggles off the pitch, his creativity and control made him one of the most gifted players ever seen.

Lionel Messi (Football, Argentina)

Born: 24 June 1987, Rosario, Argentina
Still living

Messi spent most of his career at Barcelona, winning multiple league titles and Champions Leagues before lifting the World Cup with Argentina in 2022. Known for his close control and vision, he holds numerous scoring and assist records and is widely regarded as the most technically gifted player of the modern era.

Cristiano Ronaldo (Football, Portugal)

Born: 5 February 1985, Funchal, Madeira, Portugal
Still living

Ronaldo has won league titles in England, Spain and Italy and holds the record for most international goals in men’s football. Famous for his athleticism and dedication to training, he is seen as a symbol of professionalism and longevity at the highest level.

Michael Jordan (Basketball, USA)

Born: 17 February 1963, Brooklyn, New York, USA
Still living

Jordan led the Chicago Bulls to six NBA championships in the 1990s and became the face of global basketball. His competitive mentality and clutch performances made him an icon, while his brand and sponsorship deals changed how athletes were marketed worldwide.

Serena Williams (Tennis, USA)

Born: 26 September 1981, Saginaw, Michigan, USA
Still living

Serena won 23 Grand Slam singles titles, the most in the Open Era. She combined power, speed and mental strength in a way that transformed women’s tennis. Her career also made her a major cultural figure beyond sport.

Roger Federer (Tennis, Switzerland)

Born: 8 August 1981, Basel, Switzerland
Still living

Federer won 20 Grand Slam singles titles and was world number one for a record total of 310 weeks. Known for his graceful playing style and sportsmanship, he helped expand tennis to new global audiences.

Tiger Woods (Golf, USA)

Born: 30 December 1975, Cypress, California, USA
Still living

Woods won 15 major championships and dominated golf for over a decade. He dramatically increased the sport’s popularity and prize money, attracting younger and more diverse audiences than ever before.

Usain Bolt (Athletics, Jamaica)

Born: 21 August 1986, Sherwood Content, Jamaica
Still living

Bolt holds world records in the 100 metres and 200 metres and won eight Olympic gold medals. His relaxed style and celebrations made him one of the most recognisable athletes in the world.

Michael Phelps (Swimming, USA)

Born: 30 June 1985, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
Still living

Phelps won 23 Olympic gold medals, more than any athlete in history. His dominance across multiple swimming events made him the most successful Olympian of all time.

Ayrton Senna (Formula One, Brazil)

Born: 21 March 1960, São Paulo, Brazil
Died: 1 May 1994

Senna won three Formula One world championships and was known for his extraordinary skill in wet conditions. His death during a race shocked the sporting world and led to major improvements in safety standards.

Lewis Hamilton (Formula One, United Kingdom)

Born: 7 January 1985, Stevenage, England
Still living

Hamilton has won seven Formula One world championships and holds records for most wins and pole positions. He is also known for his influence on diversity and environmental issues within motorsport.

Babe Ruth (Baseball, USA)

Born: 6 February 1895, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
Died: 16 August 1948

Although his career began before the twentieth century, Ruth’s impact shaped modern baseball. He transformed the game with his home run power and became one of the first global sports celebrities.

Wayne Gretzky (Ice Hockey, Canada)

Born: 26 January 1961, Brantford, Ontario, Canada
Still living

Gretzky holds more NHL records than any other player, including most career goals and assists. His intelligence and vision earned him the nickname The Great One.

Tom Brady (American Football, USA)

Born: 3 August 1977, San Mateo, California, USA
Still living

Brady won seven Super Bowls, more than any other quarterback, and played at the top level into his mid-forties. He is known for leadership and calm under pressure.

Zinedine Zidane (Football, France)

Born: 23 June 1972, Marseille, France
Still living

Zidane led France to victory in the 1998 World Cup and later became a successful manager, winning multiple Champions League titles with Real Madrid. He was known for elegance and control in midfield.

Kobe Bryant (Basketball, USA)

Born: 23 August 1978, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
Died: 26 January 2020

Bryant won five NBA championships with the Los Angeles Lakers and became famous for his intense work ethic, often called the Mamba Mentality. His sudden death shocked fans around the world.

Novak Djokovic (Tennis, Serbia)

Born: 22 May 1987, Belgrade, Serbia
Still living

Djokovic has won more Grand Slam singles titles than any other male player in history and has dominated all surfaces. His flexibility and return game are considered among the best ever.

Simone Biles (Gymnastics, USA)

Born: 14 March 1997, Columbus, Ohio, USA
Still living

Biles has won more world championship medals than any gymnast in history and has multiple skills named after her. She is widely seen as the greatest gymnast of all time.

What These Answers Reveal

Across different sports, generations and countries, people define greatness in very different ways.Some admire courage and personality.Others value records and statistics.Some are inspired by cultural impact and change.What surprised us most was not the lack of agreement, but how rich and varied the idea of sporting greatness really is.There may never be one greatest sportsperson ever.But there will always be athletes whose stories continue to inspire long after their careers have ended.