Best player of all time

The title of “best player of all time” really depends on the sport — but since you’re asking broadly, most people are usually referring to football (soccer) or basketball when that question comes up.

Here are the all-time greats from a few top sports:

⚽ Football (Soccer)

• Pelé – 3 World Cups, global icon, scored over 1,000 goals (official and unofficial).

• Diego Maradona – legendary for his World Cup 1986 performance and “Hand of God” goal.

• Lionel Messi – 8 Ballon d’Ors (as of 2024), World Cup winner, insane stats, longevity.

• Cristiano Ronaldo – unmatched goal-scoring record, success in multiple leagues.

Most people today would say either Messi or Ronaldo, with Messi often edging out due to his playmaking, titles, and overall impact on the game.

🏀 Basketball

• Michael Jordan – 6-time NBA champion, ultimate clutch performer, global icon.

• LeBron James – longevity, stats, versatility, 4-time champion, still playing at elite level.

• Kobe Bryant – 5-time champion, killer mentality, legendary work ethic.

Jordan is usually the default GOAT (Greatest Of All Time) in basketball, but the LeBron vs. Jordan debate is massive.

🏈 American Football

• Tom Brady – 7 Super Bowl rings, dominant across decades.

• Jerry Rice – arguably the greatest wide receiver ever.

• Jim Brown – dominated in a different era but still legendary.

Brady is generally considered the GOAT in American football.

🎾 Tennis

• Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, and Novak Djokovic – the “Big Three” have dominated for 20 years. Djokovic now has the most Grand Slam titles.

So… depends on your sport! Want to narrow it down?

Sure! Let’s dive into a few more sports and athletes who are often in the GOAT (Greatest of All Time) conversation:

🏏 Cricket

• Sachin Tendulkar – “The Little Master,” over 100 international centuries, revered globally.

• Virat Kohli – modern-day legend with incredible consistency.

• M.S. Dhoni – captain cool, led India to World Cup victories, brilliant under pressure.

• Jacques Kallis, Ricky Ponting, and Brian Lara also get GOAT mentions.

Tendulkar often holds the title for his longevity, skill, and impact on the sport.

🥊 Boxing

• Muhammad Ali – transcended boxing, known for his charisma, activism, and legendary bouts.

• Mike Tyson – one of the most feared fighters ever.

• Floyd Mayweather Jr. – undefeated record, defensive genius.

Ali is almost universally recognized as the GOAT because of his impact inside and outside the ring.

🏎 Formula 1

• Michael Schumacher – 7 world titles, total dominance in the early 2000s.

• Lewis Hamilton – also 7 titles, holds records for most wins and poles.

• Ayrton Senna – seen as a god-tier driver for pure skill and bravery.

Hamilton and Schumacher usually top the lists, but Senna is a fan favorite.

🏌️ Golf

• Tiger Woods – revolutionized the sport, 15 majors, massive cultural impact.

• Jack Nicklaus – still holds the record for most major wins (18).

Nicklaus has the numbers, but Tiger changed the game completely. Many still pick Tiger as the GOAT for influence and peak dominance.

🏒 Ice Hockey

• Wayne Gretzky – “The Great One,” holds almost every scoring record.

• Mario Lemieux and Sidney Crosby are also highly respected.

Gretzky is often called the GOAT with little debate—his stats are almost untouchable.

🎾 Women’s Tennis

• Serena Williams – 23 Grand Slam singles titles, power and dominance.

• Steffi Graf – 22 Slams and the only Golden Slam (winning all 4 majors and Olympic gold in one year).

• Martina Navratilova – record-breaking titles, incredible consistency.

Serena is widely considered the GOAT of women’s tennis.

🏃 Track & Field

• Usain Bolt – world records in 100m and 200m, showman, Olympic legend.

• Carl Lewis – multiple Olympic golds in sprints and long jump.

Bolt is the fastest man in history. Pretty hard to argue with that.

Want to go deeper into one of these sports or debate a couple of legends? I’m ready if you are.

Alright — straight up, when people ask “Who is the best player of all time?”, the conversation usually circles around a few absolute legends depending on the sport. But if we had to crown ONE GOAT across all sports, most debates end up with this shortlist:

🐐 Top Contenders for Best Player of All Time (All Sports)

⚽ Lionel Messi

• 8 Ballon d’Ors

• World Cup winner (2022)

• Over 800 career goals

• Master of playmaking, dribbling, and finishing

• Universally respected for humility and loyalty (Barcelona, Argentina)

🔥 Most often mentioned as the greatest footballer ever — especially after winning the World Cup.

🏀 Michael Jordan

• 6× NBA Champion

• 6× Finals MVP

• 5× MVP

• The face of basketball’s global rise

• The ultimate competitor and clutch performer

🐍 Often quoted as “the best to ever do it” — not just in basketball, but across all sports.

🏈 Tom Brady

• 7× Super Bowl Champion

• 3× MVP

• Insane longevity and consistency

• Known as the ultimate winner in the NFL

📈 Statistically and championship-wise, the best quarterback ever.

🎾 Serena Williams

• 23 Grand Slam titles (Open Era record)

• Dominated women’s tennis for 20+ years

• Changed the game with power, athleticism, and presence

👑 Considered the GOAT of women’s tennis and a sporting icon globally.

🏃 Usain Bolt

• World record holder in 100m and 200m

• 8× Olympic gold medalist

• Undefeated in major sprint finals for a decade

⚡ Literally the fastest man ever. Hard to top that.

👑 If You Had to Pick Just One?

Most all-time debates today lean toward Lionel Messi or Michael Jordan, depending on which sport you value more. Jordan for his killer mentality and clutch legacy, Messi for pure skill and completeness.

But here’s the thing:

“Best of all time” isn’t just stats — it’s legacy, influence, dominance, and what they meant to their sport.

So it kinda comes down to:
Do you want the flash and fire of Jordan? Or the graceful genius of Messi?

Who’s your pick? Or should we break down one of these legends more deeply?