Who Is the Coolest Athlete in the World Right Now?

Updated April 20, 2020 8.4k votes 756 voters 6.1k views40 items

List RulesWhether it's their sense of style, relaxed demeanor, or personality, who do you think are the coolest athletes right now?

Determining the coolest athletes in the world right now can be pretty subjective, but we all have a general idea of cool, and we all have an idea of who we think is cool. So, when it comes to athletes and the sports world in general, everyone can think of a certain player or star who exudes coolness. Whether they have a nice sense of fashion off the court (perhaps making GQ's coolest list) or just have that who-cares attitude when they're competing, some athletes are just naturally cool.

Who should make this list of cool athletes? NBA star Russell Westbrook has long been a leader in style among fellow players, while baseball players like Charlie Blackmon and his beard (plus the fact he still drives his Jeep from high school) are pretty cool. Then you have one of soccer's coolest players, Lionel Messi, who can be considered quite the cool guy with his lack of flopping and overall mellow attitude on and off the field. Or how about speedster Usain Bolt? Ever seen him fist bump that guy before a big race? Very cool.

Are these some of the coolest athletes out right now? Check out the list below for more rad people from sports and vote up those who you think are simply the coolest current athletes. You can also feel free to add your own choices to the list.

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David Beckham
Actor, Athlete
Birthplace: Leytonstone, London, United Kingdom
Nationality: United Kingdom,England
Team: A.C. Milan
Position: Midfielder
David Robert Joseph Beckham (UK: ; born 2 May 1975) is an English former professional... more
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2
235
126
Tony Hawk
Actor, Film Producer
Birthplace: Carlsbad, California, United States of America
Nationality: United States of America
Anthony Frank Hawk (born May 12, 1968) is an American professional skateboarder, actor and... more
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3
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Tom Brady
American football player
Birthplace: San Mateo, California, United States of America
Nationality: United States of America
Team: Tampa Bay Buccaneers, New England Patriots
Position: Quarterback
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4
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Maria Sharapova
Athlete, Model
Birthplace: Nyagan, Russia
Nationality: Russia
Maria Yuryevna Sharapova (Russian: Мари́я Ю́рьевна Шара́пова, IPA: [mɐˈrʲijə ˈjʉrʲjɪvnə... more
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5
102
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Gretchen Bleiler
Athlete, Snowboarder
Birthplace: Toledo, Ohio, United States of America
Nationality: United States of America
Gretchen Elisabeth Bleiler (born April 10, 1981 in Toledo, Ohio) is an American former... more
More
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6
210
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Noah Syndergaard
Baseball player
Birthplace: Mansfield, Texas
Team: New York Mets
Position: Pitcher
Noah Seth Syndergaard (born August 29, 1992), nicknamed Thor, is an American professional... more
7
206
157
Kelly Slater
Actor, Musician
Birthplace: Cocoa Beach, Florida, United States of America
Nationality: United States of America
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8
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Lionel Messi
Footballer, Football player
Birthplace: Rosario, Argentina
Nationality: Spain, Argentina
Team: Argentina national football team
Position: Forward
Lionel Andrés Messi Cuccittini (Spanish pronunciation: [ljoˈnel anˈdɾez ˈmesi] (listen); born... more
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9
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Maxim Burov
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Amelia Boone
11
146
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Wayne Rooney
Footballer, Football player
Birthplace: Croxteth, United Kingdom
Nationality: England
Team: Manchester United F.C.
Position: Forward
Wayne Mark Rooney (born 24 October 1985) is an English professional footballer who plays for... more
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12
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Mike Trout
Baseball Player
Birthplace: Vineland, New Jersey
Nationality: American
Team: Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim
Position: Center fielder
Michael Nelson Trout (born August 7, 1991) is an American professional baseball center fielder... more
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#20 of 582 The Greatest Baseball Players Of All Time#1 of 62 The Most Likable Active MLB Players
13
182
155
Stephen Curry
Basketball player
Birthplace: Akron, Ohio, United States of America
Nationality: United States of America
Team: Golden State Warriors
Position: Point guard, Shooting guard
Wardell Stephen "Steph" Curry II ( STEF-ən; born March 14, 1988) is an American professional... more
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Zlatan Ibrahimović
Footballer, Football player
Birthplace: Malmö Municipality, Sweden
Nationality: Sweden
Team: F.C. Internazionale Milano
Position: Forward
Zlatan Ibrahimović (Swedish pronunciation: [ˈslaːtan ɪbraˈhiːmʊvɪtɕ], Bosnian: [zlǎtan... more
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#21 of 103 Coolest Soccer Players#11 of 115 The Funniest Professional Athletes
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Cristiano Ronaldo
Footballer, Football player
Birthplace: Santo António, Portugal
Nationality: Portugal
Team: Juventus
Position: Forward, Midfielder
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LeBron James
Basketball Player
Birthplace: Akron, Ohio
Nationality: United States of America
Team: Los Angeles Lakers
Position: Small forward, Power forward, Point forward
LeBron Raymone James Sr. (; born December 30, 1984) is an American professional basketball... more
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Sidney Crosby
Athlete, Ice Hockey Player
Birthplace: Halifax, Halifax Regional Municipality, Canada
Nationality: Canada
Team: Pittsburgh Penguins
Position: Centerman
Sidney Patrick Crosby (born August 7, 1987) is a Canadian professional ice hockey player who... more
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Damian Lillard
Basketball player
Birthplace: Oakland, California
Nationality: United States of America
Team: Portland Trail Blazers
Position: Point guard
Damian Lamonte Ollie Lillard is an American professional basketball player for the Portland... more
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Serena Williams
Tennis Player, Fashion Designer
Birthplace: Saginaw, Michigan, United States of America
Nationality: United States of America
Serena Jameka Williams (born September 26, 1981) is an American professional tennis player and... more
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Jonathan Toews
Athlete, Ice Hockey Player
Birthplace: Winnipeg, Canada
Nationality: Canada
Team: Chicago Blackhawks
Position: Centerman
Jonathan Bryan Toews ( TAYVZ; born April 29, 1988) is a Canadian professional ice hockey... more
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#42 of 191 The Best Current NHL Players#75 of 502 The Best NHL Players of All Time
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99
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Megan Rapinoe
Footballer, Football player
Birthplace: Redding, California
Nationality: United States of America
Team: Chicago Red Stars
Position: Forward, Midfielder
Megan Anna Rapinoe ( (listen); born July 5, 1985) is an American professional soccer player... more
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Drew Brees
Athlete, American football player
Birthplace: Austin, Texas, United States of America
Nationality: United States of America
Team: New Orleans Saints
Position: Quarterback
Drew Christopher Brees (; born January 15, 1979) is an American football quarterback for the... more
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81
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Aaron Rodgers
Athlete, American football player
Birthplace: Chico, California
Nationality: United States of America
Team: Green Bay Packers
Position: Quarterback
Aaron Charles Rodgers (born December 2, 1983) is an American football quarterback for the... more
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Klay Thompson
Basketball player
Birthplace: Los Angeles, California
Nationality: United States of America
Team: Golden State Warriors
Position: Shooting guard
Klay Alexander Thompson (born February 8, 1990) is an American professional basketball player... more
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Alex Morgan
Footballer, Football player
Birthplace: Diamond Bar, California
Nationality: United States of America
Position: Forward
Alexandra Morgan Carrasco (born Alexandra Patricia Morgan; July 2, 1989) is an American... more
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