Who Is The Most Famous Athlete In The World Right Now?

Updated September 10, 2020 39.2k votes 2.7k voters 24.1k views77 items

List RulesVote up the most famous athletes in the world right now and those who currently dominate their sport.

When it comes to the most famous athletes in the world right now, a select few names easily top the list. Not only that, but many of these popular players are also some of the best athletes in their respective sport. However, while skill and statistics are surely major factors in ranking athletes by fame, the most famous athlete out doesn't have to be the very best—especially not on this list. In short, it's up to you fans to decide just who takes the title for the most famous athlete, as well as those who follow close behind.

For starters, we all know famous male athletes like Lebron James, Cristiano Ronaldo, and Roger Federer will find themselves high on the list. Then you have top female athletes like Serena Williams and Hope Solo. Keep in mind, though, the sport isn't necessarily a factor here. Whether you consider natural talent or straight statistics in determining who's the most famous, that's your choice. Perhaps it's who you see on TV the most, or those with the most endorsements. Whatever it is, give your input as to who makes the list of best athletes today with the most fame.

Cast your votes for the most famous athletes below, and feel free to add any athletes missing from the list.

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Cristiano Ronaldo
Age: 35
Birthplace: Santo António, Portugal
Cristiano Ronaldo dos Santos Aveiro GOIH ComM (born 5 February 1985) is a Portuguese... more on Wikipedia
2
605
396
Usain Bolt
Age: 34
Birthplace: Sherwood Content, Jamaica
Usain St Leo Bolt (; born 21 August 1986) is a retired Jamaican sprinter. He is a world... more on Wikipedia
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3
912
623
Lionel Messi
Age: 33
Birthplace: Rosario, Argentina
Lionel Andrés Messi Cuccittini (Spanish pronunciation: [ljoˈnel anˈdɾez ˈmesi] (listen); born... more on Wikipedia
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#3 of 1,310 The Best Soccer Players of All Time#31 of 1,816 The Best Athletes Of All Time
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Roger Federer
Age: 39
Birthplace: Basel, Switzerland
← Roger Federer (German pronunciation: [ˈrɔdʒər ˈfeːdərər]; born 8 August 1981) is a Swiss... more on Wikipedia
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Conor McGregor
Age: 32
Birthplace: Dublin, Republic of Ireland
Conor Anthony McGregor (born July 14, 1988) is an Irish former professional mixed martial... more on Wikipedia
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Michael Jordan
Age: 57
Birthplace: New York City, New York
Michael Jeffrey Jordan (born February 17, 1963), also known by his initials MJ, is an American... more on Wikipedia
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LeBron James
Age: 35
Birthplace: Akron, Ohio, United States of America
LeBron Raymone James Sr. (; born December 30, 1984) is an American professional basketball... more on Wikipedia
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John Cena
Age: 43
Birthplace: West Newbury, Massachusetts, United States of America
John Felix Anthony Cena Jr. (; born April 23, 1977) is an American professional wrestler,... more on Wikipedia
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Maria Sharapova
Age: 33
Birthplace: Nyagan, Russia
Maria Yuryevna Sharapova (Russian: Мари́я Ю́рьевна Шара́пова, IPA: [mɐˈrʲijə ˈjʉrʲjɪvnə... more on Wikipedia
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564
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Rafael Nadal
Age: 34
Birthplace: Manacor, Spain
Rafael "Rafa" Nadal Parera (Catalan: [rəf(ə)ˈɛl nəˈðal pəˈɾeɾə], Spanish: [rafaˈel naˈðal... more on Wikipedia
11
669
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Neymar
Age: 28
Birthplace: Mogi das Cruzes, Brazil
Neymar da Silva Santos Júnior (Brazilian Portuguese: [nejˈmaʁ dɐ ˈsiwvɐ ˈsɐ̃tus ˈʒũɲoʁ]; born... more on Wikipedia
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491
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Novak Djokovic
Age: 33
Birthplace: Belgrade, Serbia
Novak Djokovic (Serbian: Новак Ђоковић, romanized: Novak Đoković, pronounced [nôʋaːk... more on Wikipedia
13
255
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Manuel Neuer
Age: 34
Birthplace: Gelsenkirchen, Germany
Manuel Peter Neuer (German pronunciation: [ˈmaːnu̯eːl ˈnɔʏ.ɐ, -ɛl -]; born 27 March 1986) is a... more on Wikipedia
14
610
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Virat Kohli
Age: 31
Birthplace: Delhi, India
Virat Kohli (pronunciation ; born 5 November 1988) is an Indian cricketer who currently... more on Wikipedia
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#53 of 96 The All-Around Best Athletes of 2019#24 of 199 The All-Around Best Athletes of 2018
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Tom Brady
Age: 43
Birthplace: San Mateo, California, United States of America
Thomas Edward Patrick Brady Jr. (born August 3, 1977) is an American football quarterback for... more on Wikipedia
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Lindsey Vonn
Age: 35
Birthplace: Saint Paul, Minnesota, United States of America
Lindsey Caroline Vonn (née Kildow ; born October 18, 1984) is an American former World Cup... more on Wikipedia
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#199 of 409 The Most Beautiful Women Of 2020, Ranked#131 of 238 The Best Female Athletes of All Time
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Serena Williams
Age: 39
Birthplace: Saginaw, Michigan, United States of America
Serena Jameka Williams (born September 26, 1981) is an American professional tennis player and... more on Wikipedia
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Yelena Isinbayeva
Age: 38
Birthplace: Volgograd, Russia
Yelena Gadzhievna Isinbayeva (Russian: Елена Гаджиевна Исинбаева, IPA: [jɪˈlʲɛnə gɐˈdʐɨjɪvnə... more on Wikipedia
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Mikaela Shiffrin
Age: 25
Birthplace: Vail, Colorado
Mikaela Pauline Shiffrin is an American World Cup alpine ski racer with the U.S. Ski Team,... more on Wikipedia
20
162
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Katie Ledecky
Age: 23
Birthplace: Bethesda, Maryland
Kathleen Genevieve Ledecky is an American competition swimmer, Olympic gold medalist, and... more on Wikipedia
21
152
189
Laura Dahlmeier
Age: 27
Birthplace: Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Germany
Laura Dahlmeier is a German biathlete. Dahlmeier started in her first world cup races in the... more on Wikipedia
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321
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Stephen Curry
Age: 32
Birthplace: Akron, Ohio, United States of America
Wardell Stephen "Steph" Curry II ( STEF-ən; born March 14, 1988) is an American professional... more on Wikipedia
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#12 of 762 The Top NBA Players Of All Time#149 of 242 The Hottest Men Of 2019, Ranked
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Rory McIlroy
Age: 31
Birthplace: Holywood, Bangor, United Kingdom
Rory McIlroy (born 4 May 1989) is a professional golfer from Northern Ireland who is a member... more on Wikipedia
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#42 of 153 The Best Golfers Of All Time#1 of 60 The Best Professional Golfers Right Now, Ranked
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Andrés Iniesta
Age: 36
Birthplace: Fuentealbilla, Spain
Andrés Iniesta Luján (Spanish pronunciation: [anˈdɾes iˈnjesta luˈxan]; born 11 May 1984) is a... more on Wikipedia
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#27 of 356 The Best Current Soccer Players#30 of 103 Coolest Soccer Players
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Marcel Hirscher
Age: 31
Birthplace: Annaberg-Lungötz, Austria
Marcel Hirscher (born 2 March 1989) is an Austrian World Cup alpine ski racer. Hirscher made... more on Wikipedia
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#20 of 62 The Greatest Alpine Skiers of All Time#1 of 43 The Best Alpine Skiers in the World Right Now

Mikaela Shiffrin