Lionel Messi Ranked 7th Most Famous Athlete Ever, Cristiano Ronaldo Not in Top 10

Inter Miami superstar, Lionel Messi, has secured the seventh position among the most famous icons in sports history.

Two football players secured higher positions than the Argentina captain in the rankings made by British sports publication, GiveMeSport.

Among them are the iconic figures from Argentina and Brazil, Diego Maradona and Pele, in that order.

Messi's perennial competitor, Cristiano Ronaldo, failed to secure a position within the top ten list.

The seven-time Ballon d'Or winner's status as the greatest player of all time has gained widespread recognition, particularly after solidifying his legacy with the historic FIFA World Cup victory with Argentina in 2022, per CNN.

Having now won every possible major trophy for both club and country, Messi has effectively 'completed football', boasting a record unlike anyone else.

Sports Brief is not venturing into the top 10 athletes of all time; instead, we're delving into the top 10 most popular athletes of all time.

10. LeBron James

LeBron James, the NBA's all-time leading scorer and the sole player to accumulate over 30,000 points, 10,000 rebounds, and 10,000 assists, is most celebrated for his remarkable performance while with the Cleveland Cavaliers in 2007.

James achieved a career playoff-high of 48 points, single-handedly propelling his team within one game of the NBA finals with a 109-107 double-overtime triumph over the Detroit Pistons.

Although they were subsequently soundly defeated by the San Antonio Spurs in the finals, LeBron would go on to secure four NBA championships, making appearances in ten finals. At the age of 38, he continues to excel with the LA Lakers and is well on his way to shattering more records.

Top 10 players with most trophies in history as Messi tops list after Inter Miami heroics

Football

9. Sir Donald Bradman

Bradman amassed a remarkable 6,996 runs for his nation, leaving an indelible mark by establishing an unmatched record with an average of 99.94 runs per match in international Test cricket.

This enduring record still sets the standard today. He proved to be a formidable adversary for England, amassing an impressive 19 centuries against them during the period from 1928 to 1948.

For his extraordinary conquest of the cricket world, he was honoured with an OBE and is cherished as one of the greatest, if not the finest, to ever grace the sport.

While his name might be somewhat unfamiliar to many fans of other sports today, those well-versed in cricket remain keenly aware of the enduring legacy of this Australian legend.

Bradman's enduring popularity, even two decades after his passing, stands as a testament to the immense impact he had on the sport.

8. Wayne Gretzky

Gretzky's illustrious hockey career spanned two decades, encompassing 20 seasons from 1979 to 1999, during which he donned the jerseys of four different teams.

Widely acclaimed as the greatest to ever grace the ice, Gretzky's list of NHL records is so extensive that it would be impractical to enumerate them all—61, to be precise.

Among the most prominent are his astounding single-season achievement of 92 goals, a remarkable point streak lasting 51 consecutive games, and his astonishing career totals of 894 goals and 2,857 points.

In addition to his individual accolades, Gretzky boasts four Stanley Cups to his name.

His inclusion on this list underscores the incredible reputation he forged in a sport that may not be among the most popular on the planet.

7. Lionel Messi

Much like Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi's ranking at just seventh place may infuriate numerous football fans, given his extraordinary achievements and the immense reputation he commands. After all, who isn't familiar with the name Messi?

A seven-time Ballon d'Or winner and a 12-time league champion with Barcelona and PSG, Messi has an illustrious list of accomplishments. His pivotal role in Argentina's recent World Cup victory in Qatar arguably positions him ahead of Ronaldo and emulates the feats of the legendary Diego Maradona.

Messi's arrival in the MLS with Inter Miami, akin to Ronaldo's move to Saudi Arabia, has brought a multitude of new fans and heightened interest in the league.

Many avidly track the records of both players to perpetuate their enduring rivalry, even into their late 30s, to determine who boasts the superior statistics. The day Messi eventually hangs up his boots will undoubtedly leave fans in sorrow, as the 36-year-old is widely regarded as the finest to have ever graced a football field.

6. Roger Federer

Federer stands alone in the world of tennis, regardless of gender, as the sole player to secure five consecutive titles at the US Open.

He boasts a staggering record of 71 hard-court titles, a testament to his dominance on this surface. The Swiss star was the first male player to reach the milestone of 20 Grand Slam titles and achieved the exceptional feat of winning two Grand Slams five times in a row.

His list of accomplishments is nothing short of astonishing, and his farewell match against Rafael Nadal at the Laver Cup beautifully illuminated the grandeur of his career.

Their rivalry is undeniably one of the greatest in the history of sports, having shared the court countless times. Federer's retirement has left an immense void in the world of tennis.

5. Larry Bird

For enthusiasts of American rap who may not be familiar with Larry Bird, you've likely come across his name in numerous references by certain rappers.

Despite retiring from basketball as far back as 1992, Bird continues to be held in high esteem, an enduring icon.

He etched his name in NBA history as the first player to achieve a field goal percentage of 50% or higher, a three-point shooting percentage of 40% or better, and a free-throw percentage of 90% in a single NBA season.

As impressive as this may sound, it's even more extraordinary to realize that Bird accomplished this exceptional feat not once, but twice.

4. Babe Ruth

Ruth's contributions to baseball will forever be etched in history, celebrated for the multitude of records and accolades he amassed.

Yet, it was the symbolic significance of Ruth that elevated him to legendary status. He became an emblem of America's prominence during the 1920s, and his baseball dominance served as a representation of that era.

During his illustrious career, Ruth achieved the remarkable feat of being one of only two players to hit three home runs in a World Series Game. As a four-time World Series champion and the holder of 714 career home runs, his legacy is indelible.

Ruth's reputation also extends beyond the statistics, encompassing his leadership qualities during his time with the New York Yankees and the Boston Red Sox.

Undoubtedly, he is widely regarded as the greatest baseball player of all time, and it's doubtful that we will ever witness anyone quite like him again. To further solidify his iconic status, a film titled 'The Babe' was even produced in 1992, offering a partial account of Ruth's extraordinary playing career.

3. Pele

There is ongoing speculation about the accuracy of Pelé's football statistics. In 2015, Pelé tweeted that he had scored 1,283 goals during his illustrious career, a claim that has sparked much debate.

However, what remains indisputable is his pioneering influence on the sport of football. Many of the skills, tricks, and dribbles showcased by today's top talents around the world were innovations introduced by Pelé.

A simple glance at his highlights demonstrates that he set the standard and provided a blueprint for future generations to follow. Regardless of any arguments over his goal tally, it's hard to dispute his remarkable record of three World Cup victories.

Sadly, Pelé passed away in 2022, but this has not diminished his legacy as one of the greatest to ever grace the sport, a legacy that continues to be immortalised.

2. Michael Jordan

This legendary athlete was so extraordinary that he took a hiatus from basketball to try his hand at baseball.

Jordan, a six-time NBA champion, six-time MVP, and 14-time NBA All-Star, is the name most frequently linked to the title of the greatest of all time (GOAT) in basketball.

His defining moment undeniably occurred in the last year of his storied tenure with the Chicago Bulls. The Bulls were leading the Utah Jazz 3-2 in the series, and Game 6 unfolded on Utah's court.

With just 5.2 seconds left on the clock, Jordan treated Chicago fans to one last, game-winning shot, sealing the Bulls' status as six-time NBA Champions and solidifying his place as one of the greatest shooting guards of all time.

1. Diego Maradona

While it's a matter of debate, presenting a case for Maradona as the most renowned athlete of all time is far from being a difficult task. Though his goal-scoring record doesn't quite measure up to the likes of Messi, Ronaldo, or Pelé, totalling just 338 goals in slightly over 600 games, Maradona's supremacy becomes evident when you apply the classic 'eye test.'

His extraordinary skills, unmatched dribbling prowess, and the uncanny ability to single-handedly transform a game are the very qualities that define his greatness. A compelling illustration of this is his iconic solo goal against England in the 1986 World Cup.

Furthermore, his status as a four-time Argentinian Footballer of the Year, a two-time Scudetto champion with Napoli, and his pivotal role in securing a World Cup for Argentina provide additional weight to this argument.

The extent of his adoration in Naples and Argentina is truly remarkable, epitomized by the fact that the Italian club has honoured his legacy by naming its stadium after him. Even after his passing in late 2020, he remains an enduringly beloved sports figure.

Crouch on GOAT debate