Celebrity ListsList 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 in 2021, 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 in 2021.
Cast your votes for the most famous athletes below, and feel free to add any athletes missing from the list.
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1,726849Cristiano Ronaldo
Age: 35Birthplace: Santo António, Portugal
Cristiano Ronaldo dos Santos Aveiro GOIH ComM (born 5 February 1985) is a Portuguese... more2
1,172759Lionel Messi
Age: 33Birthplace: Rosario, Argentina
Lionel Andrés Messi Cuccittini (Spanish pronunciation: [ljoˈnel anˈdɾez ˈmesi] (listen); born... more3
268151Michael Jordan
Age: 57Birthplace: New York City, New York, United States of America
Michael Jeffrey Jordan (born February 17, 1963), also known by his initials MJ, is an American... more4
752526Usain Bolt
Age: 34Birthplace: Sherwood Content, Jamaica
Usain St Leo Bolt (; born 21 August 1986) is a retired Jamaican sprinter. He is a world... more5
895733Roger Federer
Age: 39Birthplace: Basel, Switzerland
← Roger Federer (German pronunciation: [ˈrɔdʒər ˈfeːdərər]; born 8 August 1981) is a Swiss... more6
805678LeBron James
Age: 35Birthplace: Akron, Ohio, United States of America
LeBron Raymone James Sr. (; born December 30, 1984) is an American professional basketball... more7
845727Conor McGregor
Age: 32Birthplace: Dublin, Republic of Ireland
Conor Anthony McGregor (born July 14, 1988) is an Irish former professional mixed martial... more8
788754Neymar
Age: 28Birthplace: Mogi das Cruzes, Brazil
Neymar da Silva Santos Júnior (Brazilian Portuguese: [nejˈmaʁ dɐ ˈsiwvɐ ˈsɐ̃tus ˈʒũɲoʁ]; born... more9
576553John Cena
Age: 43John Felix Anthony Cena Jr. (; born April 23, 1977) is an American professional wrestler,... more10
802783Virat Kohli
Age: 31Birthplace: Delhi, India
Virat Kohli (pronunciation ; born 5 November 1988) is an Indian cricketer who currently... more11
640625Rafael Nadal
Age: 34Birthplace: Manacor, Spain
Rafael "Rafa" Nadal Parera (Catalan: [rəf(ə)ˈɛl nəˈðal pəˈɾeɾə], Spanish: [rafaˈel naˈðal... more12
565582Novak Djokovic
Age: 33Birthplace: Belgrade, Serbia
Novak Djokovic (Serbian: Новак Ђоковић, romanized: Novak Đoković, pronounced [nôʋaːk... more13
631664Maria Sharapova
Age: 33Birthplace: Nyagan, Russia
Maria Yuryevna Sharapova (Russian: Мари́я Ю́рьевна Шара́пова, IPA: [mɐˈrʲijə ˈjʉrʲjɪvnə... more14
412449Serena Williams
Age: 39Birthplace: Saginaw, Michigan, United States of America
Serena Jameka Williams (born September 26, 1981) is an American professional tennis player and... more15
495544Tom Brady
Age: 38Birthplace: San Mateo, California, United States of America
Thomas Edward Patrick Brady Jr. (born August 3, 1977) is an American football quarterback for... more16
325353Manuel Neuer
Age: 34Birthplace: Gelsenkirchen, Germany
Manuel Peter Neuer (German pronunciation: [ˈmaːnu̯eːl ˈnɔʏ.ɐ, -ɛl -]; born 27 March 1986) is a... more17
391474Stephen Curry
Age: 32Birthplace: Akron, Ohio, United States of America
Wardell Stephen "Steph" Curry II ( STEF-ən; born March 14, 1988) is an American professional... more18
315425Tiger Woods
Age: 44Birthplace: Cypress, California, United States of America
Eldrick Tont "Tiger" Woods (born December 30, 1975) is an American professional golfer. He... more19
412566Andrés Iniesta
Age: 36Birthplace: Fuentealbilla, Spain
Andrés Iniesta Luján (Spanish pronunciation: [anˈdɾes iˈnjesta luˈxan]; born 11 May 1984) is a... more20
284402Lindsey Vonn
Age: 35Birthplace: Saint Paul, Minnesota, United States of America
Lindsey Caroline Vonn (née Kildow ; born October 18, 1984) is an American former World Cup... more21
317459Rory McIlroy
Age: 31Birthplace: Holywood, Bangor, United Kingdom
Rory McIlroy (born 4 May 1989) is a professional golfer from Northern Ireland who is a member... more22
4564Mohamed Salah
Age: 28Birthplace: Basyoun, Egypt
Mohamed Salah Hamed Mahrous Ghaly (born 15 June 1992) is an Egyptian professional footballer... more23
255370Yelena Isinbayeva
Age: 38Birthplace: Volgograd, Russia
Yelena Gadzhievna Isinbayeva (Russian: Елена Гаджиевна Исинбаева, IPA: [jɪˈlʲɛnə gɐˈdʐɨjɪvnə... more24
197296Mikaela Shiffrin
Age: 25Birthplace: Vail, Colorado
Mikaela Pauline Shiffrin is an American World Cup alpine ski racer with the U.S. Ski Team,... more25
166279Katie Ledecky
Age: 23Birthplace: Bethesda, Maryland
Kathleen Genevieve Ledecky is an American competition swimmer, Olympic gold medalist, and... more
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