LAHORE: Global football star Lionel Messi has been named the greatest athlete of the 21st century, surpassing renowned athletes from various sports.
According to international media reports, Messi secured the top spot in the global rankings, leaving behind other famous sports stars. The list was compiled to mark the completion of the first 25 years of the 21st century and features 25 exceptional athletes from different disciplines.
Following Messi in second place is legendary American footballer Tom Brady, while third place is claimed by Michael Phelps, the most successful Olympian of all time. Tennis icon Serena Williams ranked fourth, followed by the world’s fastest man, Usain Bolt, in fifth. Basketball superstar LeBron James holds the sixth position.
Cristiano Ronaldo, another football legend, ranked tenth in the list, just behind Novak Djokovic, Simone Biles, and the late Kobe Bryant. Other sporting giants included in the list are Tiger Woods, Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, Stephen Curry, Lewis Hamilton, Michael Schumacher, Shohei Ohtani, and Marta.
Currently, Messi plays for the American club Inter Miami and is the captain of the Argentina national team. His crowning achievement came in 2022 when he led Argentina to victory in the FIFA World Cup in Qatar, fulfilling one of his greatest dreams and solidifying his place in football history.
