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, 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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1,713836Cristiano Ronaldo
Age: 35Birthplace: Santo António, Portugal
Cristiano Ronaldo dos Santos Aveiro GOIH ComM (born 5 February 1985) is a Portuguese... more2
1,164750Lionel Messi
Age: 33Birthplace: Rosario, Argentina
Lionel Andrés Messi Cuccittini (Spanish pronunciation: [ljoˈnel anˈdɾez ˈmesi] (listen); born... more3
260140Michael 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
742516Usain Bolt
Age: 34Birthplace: Sherwood Content, Jamaica
Usain St Leo Bolt (; born 21 August 1986) is a retired Jamaican sprinter. He is a world... more5
886725Roger Federer
Age: 39Birthplace: Basel, Switzerland
← Roger Federer (German pronunciation: [ˈrɔdʒər ˈfeːdərər]; born 8 August 1981) is a Swiss... more6
797668LeBron James
Age: 35Birthplace: Akron, Ohio
LeBron Raymone James Sr. (; born December 30, 1984) is an American professional basketball... more7
840717Conor McGregor
Age: 32Birthplace: Dublin, Republic of Ireland
Conor Anthony McGregor (born July 14, 1988) is an Irish former professional mixed martial... more8
784743Neymar
Age: 28Birthplace: Mogi das Cruzes, Brazil
Neymar da Silva Santos Júnior (Brazilian Portuguese: [nejˈmaʁ dɐ ˈsiwvɐ ˈsɐ̃tus ˈʒũɲoʁ]; born... more9
797769Virat Kohli
Age: 31Birthplace: Delhi, India
Virat Kohli (pronunciation ; born 5 November 1988) is an Indian cricketer who currently... more10
634615Rafael Nadal
Age: 34Birthplace: Manacor, Spain
Rafael "Rafa" Nadal Parera (Catalan: [rəf(ə)ˈɛl nəˈðal pəˈɾeɾə], Spanish: [rafaˈel naˈðal... more11
566548John Cena
Age: 43John Felix Anthony Cena Jr. (; born April 23, 1977) is an American professional wrestler,... more12
558574Novak Djokovic
Age: 33Birthplace: Belgrade, Serbia
Novak Djokovic (Serbian: Новак Ђоковић, romanized: Novak Đoković, pronounced [nôʋaːk... more13
627659Maria Sharapova
Age: 33Birthplace: Nyagan, Russia
Maria Yuryevna Sharapova (Russian: Мари́я Ю́рьевна Шара́пова, IPA: [mɐˈrʲijə ˈjʉrʲjɪvnə... more14
493535Tom 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... more15
324346Manuel Neuer
Age: 34Birthplace: Gelsenkirchen, Germany
Manuel Peter Neuer (German pronunciation: [ˈmaːnu̯eːl ˈnɔʏ.ɐ, -ɛl -]; born 27 March 1986) is a... more16
409444Serena Williams
Age: 39Birthplace: Saginaw, Michigan, United States of America
Serena Jameka Williams (born September 26, 1981) is an American professional tennis player and... more17
389468Stephen 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
312419Tiger Woods
Age: 44Birthplace: Cypress, California, United States of America
Eldrick Tont "Tiger" Woods (born December 30, 1975) is an American professional golfer. He... more19
410560Andrés Iniesta
Age: 36Birthplace: Fuentealbilla, Spain
Andrés Iniesta Luján (Spanish pronunciation: [anˈdɾes iˈnjesta luˈxan]; born 11 May 1984) is a... more20
4458Mohamed Salah
Age: 28Birthplace: Basyoun, Egypt
Mohamed Salah Hamed Mahrous Ghaly (born 15 June 1992) is an Egyptian professional footballer... more21
281398Lindsey 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... more22
255363Yelena Isinbayeva
Age: 38Birthplace: Volgograd, Russia
Yelena Gadzhievna Isinbayeva (Russian: Елена Гаджиевна Исинбаева, IPA: [jɪˈlʲɛnə gɐˈdʐɨjɪvnə... more23
315454Rory McIlroy
Age: 31Birthplace: Holywood, Bangor, United Kingdom
Rory McIlroy (born 4 May 1989) is a professional golfer from Northern Ireland who is a member... more24
194292Mikaela Shiffrin
Age: 25Birthplace: Vail, Colorado
Mikaela Pauline Shiffrin is an American World Cup alpine ski racer with the U.S. Ski Team,... more25
155259Laura Dahlmeier
Age: 27Birthplace: Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Germany
Laura Dahlmeier is a German biathlete. Dahlmeier started in her first world cup races in the... more
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