Sports dominate our daily lives. From professional sports to college and the Olympics, there’s always a channel where we can find our favorite sports and feel inspired by exceptional talent. If you watch a lot of sports, you probably have an idea which players are the most famous athletes in the world. We scanned every sport out there as well as both male and female players to give you a complete list. Check out our findings for the most famous athletes in 2023 and see if your suspicions were correct.
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15. Megan Rapinoe, Soccer
One of my favorite female soccer players is Megan Rapinoe, a forward who has played on multiple NWSL teams and the United States national team. Along with being named the Best FIFA Women’s Player in 2019, Rapinoe has also won two gold medals in the World Cup (2015, 2019), silver in the 2011 World Cup, and gold at the 2012 Summer Olympics.
In addition to her impressive stats on the pitch, she also advocates for others when she’s not playing, mostly for LGBTQIA+ organizations. Part of this community herself, Rapinoe wants all to be treated equally and works with several organizations to reach her goal.
- Net Worth: $5 million
- Noteworthy Achievements: Time Magazine’s 100 Most Influential People of 2020, Presidential Medal of Freedom from Joe Biden (2022)
14. Simone Biles, Gymnastics
Known as the greatest gymnast of all time, Simone Biles is also the most decorated gymnast in history. Some of her impressive stats include a six-time World all-around champion, six-time World floor exercise champion, four-time World balance beam champion, two-time World vault champion, and eight-time United States national all-around champion.
Competing both by herself and with a team, Simone Biles dominates every competition she enters. She is currently married to NFL player Jonathan Owens and is working on a line of gymnastics equipment as well as activewear, while also being a spokesperson to brands like Beats By Dr. Dre.
- Net Worth: $16 million
- Noteworthy Achievements: Presidential Medal of Freedom from Joe Biden (2022), Record-holder in Gymnastics World Championships medals (30)
13. Usain Bolt, Sprinting
Another sports legend comes in the form of retired sprinter Usain Bolt, widely considered to be the best sprinter of all time. He holds the world records in the 100 meters, 200 meters, and the 4×100 meters relay. Bolt gained fame for the first time when he achieved world record times in two different sprints at the 2008 Olympics, the first person to do so since fully automatic time became mandatory.
As well as his medals in 2008, Bolt is an eight-time Olympic gold medallist, and the only sprinter to win Olympic 100m and 200m titles at three consecutive Olympics (2008, 2012, 2016). He has won several World Championships, including being the first athlete to win four World Championship titles in the 200m.
- Net Worth: $90 million
- Noteworthy Achievements: Time Magazine’s 100 Most Influential People of 2016, Laureus World Sportsman of the Year (4 times)
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12. Michael Phelps, Swimming
Dive into the pool for our next athlete, Michael Phelps, who is an American former competitive swimmer. Known as the most successful and most decorated Olympian of all time, Phelps has won a total of 28 medals over four Olympic appearances. In addition to being the most decorated, Phelps holds the all-time records for Olympic gold medals (23), Olympic gold medals in individual events (13), and Olympic medals in individual events (16).
Each year that Phelps has appeared in an Olympic games, he managed to get several medals, with eight in 2004, eight in 2008 (all gold), six in 2012, and six in 2016. After his stellar wins in 2008, Phelps started the Michael Phelps Foundation which focuses on growing the sport of swimming and promoting healthier lifestyles. Phelps has recently appeared in PGA tournaments, still performing his signature back slap before he swings the club.
- Net Worth: $100 million
- Noteworthy Achievements: American Swimmer of the Year Award (11 times), World Swimmer of the Year Award (8 times)
11. Steph Curry, Basketball
If you enjoy basketball, then you will know the name Stephen “Steph” Curry. Currently playing for the Golden State Warriors in the National Basketball Association (NBA), he is regarded as the greatest shooter and one of the greatest players of all time. He has influenced the sport by inspiring more teams and players to take more three-point shots, racking up the points, and revolutionizing the NBA.
In addition to his influence on the court, Curry is a two-time NBA Most Valuable Player, an NBA Finals MVP, an NBA All-Star Game MVP, and the inaugural NBA Western Conference Finals MVP. He has consistently broken records for three-pointers scored in a season, and will probably continue to do so until his retirement.
- Net Worth: $160 million
- Noteworthy Achievements: 4 NBA Championships, All-time leader in 3pt. shots in NBA history
10. Conor McGregor, MMA
Though not my favorite sport, there are a lot of people who like MMA in the world, and Conor McGregor is one of the best mixed martial artists out there. Earning both the UFC Featherweight and Lightweight Champion status, he is also the first UFC fighter to hold UFC Championships in two weight classes simultaneously.
Drawing the biggest crowds to MMA, McGregor has headlined the five highest-selling UFC PPV events. One specific bout with Khabib Nurmagomedov (UFC 229) drew 2.4 million PPV buys, the most ever for an MMA event. Though his behavior may not be the best, there is no denying the skill that McGregor has.
- Net Worth: $200 million
- Noteworthy Achievements: World’s Highest-Paid Athlete by Forbes in 2021, Biggest pay-per-view draw in MMA history
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9. Novak Djokovic, Tennis
Currently ranked number one in the world in singles by the Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP), Novak Djokovic has been ranked No. 1 for a record total of 404 weeks in a record 13 different years. Whenever I turn the TV on and there’s tennis, I’m always looking for Djokovic because he is just that good and fun to watch.
In terms of records, Djokovic is the only man in tennis history to be the reigning champion of all four majors at once across three different surfaces, in singles he is the only man to achieve a triple Career Grand Slam, and the only player to complete a career Golden Masters.
- Net Worth: $240 million
- Noteworthy Achievements: Founded the Professional Tennis Players Association (PTPA) with Vasek Pospisil, appointed a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador in 2015
8. Serena Williams, Tennis
The third and last female on our list is Serena Williams, the highest-earning female athlete of all time and an American former professional tennis player. Regarded as one of the greatest tennis players of all time, Williams was ranked No. 1 in singles by the Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) for 319 weeks, including a joint-record 186 consecutive weeks.
The only player to accomplish a career Golden Slam in both singles and doubles, Serena Williams knows how to dominate the court against any opponent. She has also won 23 Grand Slam women’s singles titles, which is the most in the Open Era, and the second most of all time.
- Net Worth: $300 million
- Noteworthy Achievements: 2015 Sportsperson of the Year by Sports Illustrated, 4-time Laureus Sportswoman of the Year
7. Tom Brady, Football
My dad’s favorite NFL player and my nemesis (I am a Miami Dolphins fan), Tom Brady is a former American football quarterback who played for 23 seasons in the NFL. Spending his first 20 seasons with the New England Patriots, he was a central contributor to the franchise’s dynasty from 2001-2019, consistently bringing home Super Bowl trophies and league wins. In his final three seasons, Brady switched over to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, also bringing home a Super Bowl trophy during his first season there.
Regarded as the greatest quarterback of all time and one of the greatest NFL players in the league’s history, I cannot deny the skill and prowess that Brady has when he steps out onto the field. Winning a total of seven Super Bowl Championships, Brady was named Super Bowl MVP in five of them, proving how influential he was to the game and his team.
- Net Worth: $300 million
- Noteworthy Achievements: Only NFL quarterback named to two all-decade teams (2000s, 2010s), named to the 100th Anniversary All-Time Team in 2019
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6. Cristiano Ronaldo, Soccer
If you talk about professional soccer with anyone, they will tell you about Cristiano Ronaldo. Captain of both the Saudi Pro League club Al Nassr and the Portuguese national team, Ronaldo is considered one of the best soccer players of all time. Along with being captain, Ronaldo has won five Ballon d’Or awards, four European Golden Shoes, and seven league titles.
Ronaldo is one of the few players to make it over 1,200 professional career appearances and has scored over 850 official senior career goals for club and country. He is the top goalscorer of all time. Though not everyone likes his personality, there is no denying Ronaldo’s skill as he flies down the field towards the goal.
- Net Worth: $500 million
- Noteworthy Achievements: ESPN’s World’s Most Famous Athlete from 2016-2019, Time’s 100 Most Influential People in the World 2014
5. Roger Federer, Tennis
Along well-known tennis player is Roger Federer, a Swiss former professional who was ranked world No. 1 in singles by the ATP for 310 weeks, including a record 237 consecutive weeks. In his career, Federer won 103 singles titles on the ATP Tour (second most all-time), including 20 major men’s singles titles, and six year-end championships.
Federer’s grace on the court made him popular among fans, and in his retirement has become quite the philanthropist. Establishing the Roger Federer Federation, the corporation helps raise funds for impoverished children in Southern Africa.
- Net Worth: $550 million
- Noteworthy Achievements: Stefan Edberg Sportsmanship Award Recipient 13 times, Laureus World Sportsman of the Year 5 times
4. Lebron James, Basketball
Nicknamed “King James” and known by non-sports fans and sports fans alike, Lebron James currently plays for the Los Angeles Lakers in the NBA and is often compared to Michael Jordan in debates about the greatest basketball player of all time.
Competing in ten NBA finals (with eight of them being consecutive appearances from 2011-2018), and winning a total of four NBA championships, James has also won the inaugural NBA Cup in 2023 with the Lakers and two Olympic gold medals as part of the U.S. men’s national team.
- Net Worth: $600 million
- Noteworthy Achievements: Won 20 ESPY Awards, starred in the film Space Jam: A New Legacy (2021)
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3. Lionel Messi, Soccer
Probably my favorite men’s soccer player, Lionel Messi is a huge fan favorite that plays for both the Argentina national team and the Major League Soccer club Inter Miami. Messi has won a record eight Ballon d’Or awards, a record six European Golden Shoes, and in 2020 was named to the Ballon d’Or Dream Team. He originally played for Barcelona, where he won a club-record 34 trophies.
In addition to his achievements above, Messi is a prolific goal scorer, holding the records for most goals in La Liga (474), most hat-tricks in La Liga (36), and the most international goals by a South American male (106). He has scored over 800 career goals for club and country and has the most goals by a player for a single club (672).
- Net Worth: $600 million
- Noteworthy Achievements: Time’s 100 Most Influential People in the World (2011, 2012, 2023), Laureus World Sportsman of the Year (2020, 2023)
2. Tiger Woods, Golf
If you know golf, then you know Tiger Woods. Tied for first in PGA Tour wins, the professional golfer also ranks second in men’s major championships and is regarded as one of the greatest golfers of all time and one of the most famous athletes in modern history. Woods was inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame in 2021.
In that same year, Woods was hospitalized after a single-car collision and had to undergo surgery to repair compound fractures in his right leg and a shattered ankle. Though he has said his career as a full-time professional golfer was over, Woods would continue to play a few events per year, returning to the green for the first time after the crash in the 2022 Masters.
- Net Worth: $800 million
- Noteworthy Achievements: Presidential Medal of Freedom by Donald Trump 2019, 18 World Golf Championships
1. Michael Jordan, Basketball—Most Famous Athlete in the World
We mentioned him above, so it only makes sense that Michael Jordan is our number one choice in the most famous athletes in the world list. Jordan played fifteen total seasons in the National Basketball Association (NBA) from 1984 to 2003. During that time he won six NBA Championships with the Chicago Bulls and was integral in popularizing basketball and the NBA around the world in the 1980s and 1990s becoming a cultural icon.
Along with being a popular basketball player, Jordan dabbled in acting when he starred in the film Space Jam in 1996. He was also the focus of the Emmy-winning documentary series The Last Dance (2020). Michael Jordan is now a businessman dabbling in several companies but was the first NBA player to become a billionaire in 2016, a major feat.
- Net Worth: $2.6 billion
- Noteworthy Achievements: Presidential Medal of Freedom by Barack Obama in 2016, owner of 23XI Racing in the NASCAR Cup Series
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Sports provide enjoyment for everyone as there are so many variations of athleticism and talent. There’s something special about watching excellence in a sport, and how far the human body can be pushed to achieve great ends. Though not all of these sports are as popular as others, these fifteen athletes have made an impact in the world—both in their sport and outside of it.