Introduction
Top 10 Greatest Athletes of All Time
In the world of sports, the term “greatest” often ignites passionate debates. While numerous athletes have left an indelible mark on their respective sports, only a select few can be considered the greatest of all time. This article will explore the Top 10 Greatest Athletes of All Time celebrating their achievements, records, and the legacies they’ve created.
List of Top 10 Greatest Athletes of All Time
This is a list of the top 10 Greatest Athletes of All Time. These figures include signing bonuses but exclude options, buyouts, and the endorsement deals. This list does not reflect the highest annual salaries or career earnings, only the top 100 largest contracts and thus is largely limited to athletes in team sports and auto racing.
Top 10 Greatest Athletes of All Time in individual sports, such as golf, tennis, table tennis, boxing, kickboxing, and MMA, are not employed by a team and usually earn money primarily through event winnings. This list also does not necessarily reflect actual money collected by the athletes, since some contracts are eventually terminated (usually due to an athlete either retiring or invoking an opt-out clause). Alex Rodriguez, Steven Strasburg, Manny Machado, Kevin Durant, Steph Curry, Deshaun Watson, Giannis Antetokounmpo and Jayson Tatum are on the list two times each.
Entries in this list also require an individual citation of the contract, so a number of the highest salaried athletes (according to Forbes) are not included as their contract details have not been officially confirmed, including the likes of Tiger Woods, Roger Federer, and Lewis Hamilton. This also skews the list towards sports with salary caps where salaries are therefore public knowledge and easy to cite.
- Overview of Top 10 Greatest Athletes of All Time
Rank
Name
Organization
Sport
Length of contract
Contract value
(USD)
Average per
year (USD)
Average per
game/event
(USD)
Ref.
1
Shohei Ohtani
Los Angeles Dodgers
Baseball
10 years (2024–2033)
$700,000,000
$70,000,000
$432,099
2
Lionel Messi
Barcelona
Association football
4 years (2017–2021)
$674,000,000
$168,500,000
$4,434,210
3
Cristiano Ronaldo
Al Nassr
2.5 years (2023–2025)
$536,336,818
$214,534,727
$7,151,158
4
Patrick Mahomes
Kansas City Chiefs
American football
10 years (2020–2031)
$450,000,000
$45,000,000
$2,465,686
5
Karim Benzema
Al-Ittihad
Association football
2 years (2023–2025)
$447,302,608
$223,651,304
$7,455,043
6
Mike Trout
Los Angeles Angels
Baseball
12 years (2019–2030)
$426,500,000
$35,541,667
$219,393
7 (tie)
Canelo Álvarez
DAZN*
Boxing
5 years (2018–2023)
$365,000,000
$73,000,000
$33,181,818
8
Mookie Betts
Los Angeles Dodgers
Baseball
12 years (2021–2032)
$365,000,000
$30,416,667
$187,757
9
Aaron Judge
New York Yankees
9 years (2023–2031)
$360,000,000
$40,000,000
$246,913
10
Manny Machado
San Diego Padres
11 years (2023–2034)
$350,000,000
$31,818,818
$196,409
11
Francisco Lindor
New York Mets
10 years (2022–2031)
$341,000,000
$34,100,000
$210,494
12
Fernando Tatís Jr.
San Diego Padres
14 years (2021–2034)
$340,000,000
$24,285,714
$149,912
13 (tie)
Max Verstappen
Red Bull Racing
Auto racing
6 years (2023–2028)
$330,000,000
$55,000,000
$2,500,000
14
Bryce Harper
Philadelphia Phillies
Baseball
13 years (2019–2031)
$330,000,000
$25,384,615
$156,695
15 (tie)
Giancarlo Stanton
Miami Marlins*
13 years (2015–2027)
$325,000,000
$25,000,000
$154,320
16
Yoshinobu Yamamoto
Los Angeles Dodgers
12 years (2024-2035)
$325,000,000
$27,083,333
$167,181
17
Corey Seager
Texas Rangers
10 years (2022–2031)
$325,000,000
$32,500,000
$200,617
18
Gerrit Cole
New York Yankees
9 years (2020–2028)
$324,000,000
$36,000,000
$222,222
19
Jayson Tatum
Boston Celtics
Basketball
5 years (2025–2030)
$314,000,000
$62,800,000
$765,853
20
Rafael Devers
Boston Red Sox
Baseball
10 years (2024–2033)
$313,500,000
$31,350,000
$193,519
21
Jaylen Brown
Boston Celtics
Basketball
5 years (2024–2029)
$303,734,891
$60,746,978
$740,816
22 (tie)
Manny Machado
San Diego Padres
Baseball
10 years (2019–2028)
$300,000,000
$30,000,000
$185,185
23
Trea Turner
Philadelphia Phillies
11 years (2023–2033)
$300,000,000
$27,272,727
$168,350
24
Bobby Witt Jr.
Kansas City Royals
11 years (2024-2034)
$288,700,000
$26,245,455
$162,009
25
Xander Bogaerts
San Diego Padres
11 years (2023–2033)
$280,000,000
$25,454,545
$157,127
26 (tie)
Joe Burrow‡
Cincinnati Bengals
American football
5 years (2024–2029)
$275,000,000
$55,000,000
$3,235,294
27
Trevor Lawrence‡
Jacksonville Jaguars
5 years (2024–2029)
$275,000,000
$55,000,000
$3,235,294- 28
Alex Rodriguez
New York Yankees*
Baseball
10 years (2008–2017)
$275,000,000
$27,500,000
$169,753
29
Scottie Barnes
Toronto Raptors
Basketball
5 years (2025–2029)
$270,000,000
$54,000,000
$658,536
30
Nikola Jokić
Denver Nuggets
Basketball
5 years (2023–2028)
$264,000,000
$52,800,000
$643,902
31
Justin Herbert
Los Angeles Chargers
American football
5 years (2024–2029)
$262,500,000
$52,500,000
$3,088,235
32 (tie)
Lamar Jackson‡
Baltimore Ravens
5 years (2023–2027)
$260,000,000
$52,000,000
$3,058,823 - 33
Nolan Arenado
Colorado Rockies*
Baseball
8 years (2019–2026)
$260,000,000
$32,500,000
$200,617
34
Josh Allen‡
Buffalo Bills
American football
6 years (2021–2028)
$258,000,000
$43,000,000
$2,529,412
35
Jalen Hurts‡
Philadelphia Eagles
5 years (2023–2027)
$255,000,000
$51,000,000
$3,000,000
36
Alex RodriguezR
Texas Rangers*
Baseball
10 years (2001–2010)
$252,000,000
$25,200,000
$155,555
37
Bradley Beal
Washington Wizards
Basketball
5 years (2022–2027)
$251,000,000
$50,200,000
$612,195
38
Miguel CabreraR
Detroit Tigers
Baseball
8 years (2016–2023)
$248,000,000
$31,000,000
$191,358 - 39 (tie)
Anthony Rendon
Los Angeles Angels
7 years (2020–2026)
$245,000,000
$35,000,000
$216,049 - 40
Stephen StrasburgInjury
Washington Nationals
7 years (2020–2026)
$245,000,000
$35,000,000
$216,049
41
Russell Wilson‡
Denver Broncos
American football
5 years (2022–2026)
$242,588,236
$48,517,647
$2,853,979
42 (tie)
Albert PujolsR
Los Angeles Angels*
Baseball
10 years (2012–2021)
$240,000,000
$24,000,000
$148,148 - 43
Robinson Canó
Seattle Mariners*
10 years (2014–2023)
$240,000,000
$24,000,000
$148,148
44
Lauri Markkanen
Utah Jazz
Basketball
5 years (2024–2029)
$238,000,000
$47,600,000
$580,488
45 (tie)
Kyler Murray‡
Arizona Cardinals
American football
5 years (2022–2026)
$230,500,000
$46,100,000
$2,711,765 - 46
Deshaun Watson
Cleveland Browns
5 years (2022–2026)
$230,000,000
$46,000,000
$2,705,882
47
Giannis Antetokounmpo
Milwaukee Bucks
Basketball
5 years (2021–2026)
$228,200,830
$45,640,166
$556,587
48
James Harden
Houston Rockets*
6 years (2017–2023)
$228,000,000
$38,000,000
$463,414
49
Joey Votto
Cincinnati Reds
Baseball
10 years (2014–2023)
$225,000,000
$22,500,000
$138,888
50 (tie)
Devin Booker
Phoenix Suns
Basketball
4 years (2024–2028)
$224,000,000
$56,000,000
$682,927 - 51
Karl-Anthony Towns
Minnesota Timberwolves
4 years (2024–2028)
$224,000,000
$56,000,000
$682,927 - 52
Cade Cunningham
Detroit Pistons
5 years (2025–2029)
$224,000,000
$44,800,000
$546,341 - 53
Evan Mobley
Cleveland Cavaliers
5 years (2025–2030)
$224,000,000
$44,800,000
$546,341 - 54
Franz Wagner
Orlando Magic
5 years (2025–2029)
$224,000,000
$44,800,000
$546,341
55
David Price
Boston Red Sox*
Baseball
7 years (2016–2022)
$217,000,000
$31,000,000
$191,358
56
Stephen Curry
Golden State Warriors
Basketball
4 years (2022–2026)
$215,353,664
$53,838,416
$656,566
57
Zach LaVine
Chicago Bulls
5 years (2022–2027)
$215,200,000
$43,040,000
$656,098
58
Trae Young
Atlanta Hawks
5 years (2022–2027)
$215,159,700
$43,031,940
$524,778
59 (tie)
Clayton Kershaw
Los Angeles Dodgers
Baseball
7 years (2014–2020)
$215,000,000
$30,714,286
$189,594
Christian Yelich
Milwaukee Brewers
9 years (2020–2028)
$215,000,000
$23,888,889
$147,462
61
Prince FielderR
Detroit Tigers*
9 years (2012–2020)
$214,000,000
$23,777,778
$146,776
62
Tua Tagovailoa‡
Mami Dolphins
American football
4 years (2025–2029)
$212,400,000
$53,100,000
$3,123,529 - 63
Jared Goff‡
Detroit Lions
4 years (2025–2029)
$212,000,000
$53,000,000
$3,117,647
64
Max Scherzer
Washington Nationals*
Baseball
7 years (2015–2021)
$210,000,000
$30,000,000
$185,185
65
Julio Rodríguez
Seattle Mariners
13 years (2022–2034)
$209,300,000
$17,441,667
$107,665
66
Luka Dončić
Dallas Mavericks
Basketball
5 years (2022–2027)
$207,060,000
$41,412,000
$505,024
[67]
67
Russell Westbrook
Oklahoma City Thunder*
5 years (2018–2023)
$206,794,070
$41,358,814
$504,375
68
Zack Greinke
Arizona Diamondbacks*
Baseball
6 years (2016–2021)
$206,500,000
$34,416,667
$212,448
69
Rudy Gobert
Utah Jazz*
Basketball
5 years (2021–2026)
$205,000,000
$41,000,000
$500,000
[70]
70
Stephen Curry
Golden State Warriors
5 years (2017–2022)
$201,158,790
$40,231,758
$490,631
71
Carlos Correa
Minnesota Twins
Baseball
6 years (2023–2028)
$200,000,000
$33,333,333
$205,761
72
Kevin Durant
Brooklyn Nets
Basketball
4 years (2022–2026)
$197,656,906
$49,414,227
$602,613
73
Ja Morant
Memphis Grizzlies
5 years (2023–2027)
$197,230,450
$39,446,090
$481,050
74
Klay Thompson
Golden State Warriors
5 years (2019–2024)
$189,903,600
$37,980,720
$463,179
75
Derek JeterR
New York Yankees
Baseball
10 years (2001–2010)
$189,000,000
$18,900,000
$116,666
76
Jimmy Butler
Miami Heat
Basketball
4 years (2022–2026)
$186,592,000
$46,648,000
$568,878
77
Giannis Antetokounmpo
Milwaukee Bucks
3 years (2025–2028)
$186,000,000
$62,000,000
$756,098
78
Jacob deGrom
Texas Rangers
Baseball
5 years (2023–2027)
$185,000,000
$37,000,000
$228,395
79
Joe MauerR
Minnesota Twins
8 years (2011–2018)
$184,000,000
$23,000,000
$141,975
80
Jason Heyward
Chicago Cubs
8 years (2016–2023)
$184,000,000
$23,000,000
$141,975
81 (tie)
Kris Bryant
Colorado Rockies
7 years (2022–2028)
$182,000,000
$26,000,000
$160,493 - 82
Wander Franco
Tampa Bay Rays
11 years (2022–2032)
$182,000,000
$16,545,455
$102,132
83 (tie)
Mark TeixeiraR
New York Yankees*
8 years (2009–2016)
$180,000,000
$22,500,000
$138,888 - 84
Justin Verlander
Detroit Tigers*
7 years (2013–2019)
$180,000,000
$25,714,286
$158,730 - 85
Kirk Cousins
Atlanta Falcons
American football
4 years (2024–2027)
$180,000,000
$45,000,000
$2,674,059 - 86
Tobias Harris
Philadelphia 76ers
Basketball
5 years (2019–2024)
$180,000,000
$36,000,000
$429,024
87
Khris Middleton
Milwaukee Bucks
5 years (2019–2024)
$177,500,000
$35,500,000
$432,926
88
Deshaun Watson‡
Houston Texans*
American football
6 years (2020–2025)
$177,500,000
$29,583,333
$1,740,196
89
Ben Simmons
Philadelphia 76ers*
Basketball
5 years (2020–2025)
$177,243,360
$35,448,672
$432,301
90
Dansby Swanson
Chicago Cubs
Baseball
7 years (2023–2029)
$177,000,000
$25,285,714
$156,085
91
Paul George
Los Angeles Clippers
Basketball
4 years (2021–2025)
$176,265,468
$44,066,367
$544,029
92 (tie)
Kawhi Leonard
Los Angeles Clippers
4 years (2021–2025)
$176,265,152
$44,066,288
$544,028 - 93
Damian Lillard
Portland Trail Blazers*
4 years (2021–2025)
$176,265,152
$44,066,288
$544,028
94 (tie)
Félix Hernández
Seattle Mariners*
Baseball
7 years (2013–2019)
$175,000,000
$25,000,000
$154,320 - 95
Stephen Strasburg
Washington Nationals
7 years (2017–2023)
$175,000,000
$25,000,000
$154,320 - 96
Marcus Semien
Texas Rangers
7 years (2022–2028)
$175,000,000
$25,000,000
$154,320
97
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
Oklahoma City Thunder
Basketball
5 years (2022–2027)
$172,550,000
$34,510,000
$420,854
98 (tie)
Blake Griffin
Los Angeles Clippers*
5 years (2017–2022)
$171,174,820
$34,234,964
$417,499 - 99
John Wall
Washington Wizards*
4 years (2019–2023)
$171,174,820
$42,793,708
$521,874
100
Nick Bosa‡
San Francisco 49ers
American football
5 years (2024–2029)
$170,000,000
$34,000,000
$2,000,000
1. Michael Jordan Top 10 Greatest Athletes of All Time
Sport: Basketball
Achievements: 6× NBA Champion, 5× MVP, 14× All-Star
Michael Jordan is synonymous with basketball greatness. His competitive spirit and incredible scoring ability led the Chicago Bulls to six NBA championships in the 1990s. Jordan’s influence extends beyond the court; he became a global icon and inspired countless players around the world.
2. Serena Williams Top 10 Greatest Athletes of All Time
Sport: Tennis
Achievements: 23 Grand Slam Singles Titles
Serena Williams is one of the most dominant figures in tennis history. With 23 Grand Slam singles titles, she has redefined women’s tennis and shattered records. Her strength and determination have made her an inspiring figure for aspiring athletes everywhere.
3. Muhammad Ali Top 10 Greatest Athletes of All Time
Sport: Boxing
Achievements: 3× World Heavyweight Champion
Muhammad Ali was not only a boxing champion but also a cultural icon. Known for his quick footwork and powerful punches, Ali’s charisma and activism made him a global figure. He stood for social justice and was celebrated for his contributions both inside and outside the ring.
4. Pelé Top 10 Greatest Athletes of All Time
Sport: Soccer
Achievements: 3× FIFA World Cup Champion
Pelé is often referred to as the greatest soccer player of all time. His extraordinary skills led Brazil to three World Cup victories, and his influence helped popularize soccer in the United States. Pelé’s legacy is evident in the way he inspired future generations of players.
5. Usain Bolt Top 10 Greatest Athletes of All Time
Sport: Athletics
Achievements: 8× Olympic Gold Medals
Usain Bolt is the fastest man in history, known for setting world records in the 100m and 200m sprints. His electrifying performances at the Olympics captivated audiences worldwide and established him as a symbol of athletic excellence.
6. Wayne Gretzky Top 10 Greatest Athletes of All Time
Sport: Ice Hockey
Achievements: 4× Stanley Cup Champion, 9× MVP
Wayne Gretzky, known as “The Great One,” is the most prolific scorer in NHL history. His vision and passing ability transformed the game, and he holds numerous records that may never be broken. Gretzky’s impact on ice hockey is immeasurable.
7. Michael Phelps Top 10 Greatest Athletes of All Time
Sport: Swimming
Achievements: 23 Olympic Gold Medals
Michael Phelps is the most decorated Olympian of all time, dominating swimming events for over a decade. His relentless training and record-breaking performances set a new standard for excellence in sports.
8. Billie Jean King Top 10 Greatest Athletes of All Time
Sport: Tennis
Achievements: 39 Grand Slam Titles
Billie Jean King is a trailblazer for gender equality in sports. Her impressive tennis career includes 39 Grand Slam titles, but her advocacy for women’s rights in sports is what makes her truly great. King’s influence has paved the way for future generations of female athletes.
9. Tiger Woods Top 10 Greatest Athletes of All Time
Sport: Golf
Achievements: 15 Major Championships
Tiger Woods revolutionized golf with his athleticism and competitive drive. His numerous championships and record-breaking performances have made him a household name, inspiring countless fans and aspiring golfers.
10. Jackie Robinson Top 10 Greatest Athletes of All Time
Sport: Baseball
Achievements: 1947 Rookie of the Year, 6× All-Star
Jackie Robinson broke the color barrier in Major League Baseball, paving the way for future African American athletes. His courage and performance on the field made him a symbol of social change and resilience in sports history.
Conclusion
The Top 10 Greatest Athletes of All Time listed above are more than just exceptional talents; they have changed the landscape of their respective sports and left a lasting legacy. Their dedication, skill, and influence inspire athletes and fans worldwide. Who do you believe deserves to be on this list? Share your thoughts in the comments below
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