The football world has seen the greatest and highest ranked footballers with consistency and great achievements over the years.
These players are among the highest-ranked athletes in the 21st century. They have been given the recognition they deserve for their huge successes on and off the pitch.
According to ESPN, Argentina legend Lionel Messi is the highest-ranked footballer on the list of the top 100 athletes of the 21st century.
Messi is the most decorated player in the world, with 45 trophies in his career so far. His key accomplishments were winning 10 La Liga titles, seven Copa Del Reys, four Champions Leagues, a World Cup and a two Copa America.
In addition, Messi won two FIFA World Cup Golden Balls for the best player of the tournament. Messi is an eight-time Ballon d’Or winner.
Also, he is a six-time Champions League top scorer, coupled with the fact that he is the record goal scorer for both Barcelona and Argentina.
His consistency made him one of the greatest players in the world. According to the Athletes Ranking, Messi is the third-highest-ranked athlete in the world.
He is above Lakers world-famous basketball player LeBron James, who is currently in fourth place among the highest-ranked Athletes in the 21st century.
The second-highest-ranked footballer on the list is Cristiano Ronaldo. The Al Nassr striker is one of the greatest players to have ever played the game of soccer.
His ability to score goals and create chances both at the international and club levels made him an icon in the game.
Ronaldo’s key accomplishments in his career so far include five Ballon d’Ors, five Champions League titles, three Premier League titles, two La Liga titles, and two Serie A titles.
He is the player with the most international goals. Ronaldo is the 13th highest-ranked athlete in the 21st century, 10 places behind Lionel Messi.
Another player on the list is Brazilian superstar Marta. She had great accomplishments, which include six FIFA World Cup players of the year in the women’s category; she is Brazil’s all-time highest goal scorer in the female category.
Also, she was a Golden Boot winner at the 2007 Women’s World Cup. She has a record for most goals scored in the Women’s World Cup.
She is the third-highest-ranked football player in the 21st century. However, Marta is the 32nd highest ranked athlete in the 21st century.
Another player on the list is Thierry Henry. The Arsenal legend, Henry, is the fourth highest ranked footballer in the 21st century.
However, he is the 48th highest ranked athlete in the 21st century. His key accomplishments before retiring include winning the 2000 Euros with France.
In addition, he won two Premier Leagues, one La Liga, two FA Cups, one Champions League, one Copa Del Rey, and one FIFA Club World Cup.
Barcelona women’s star Aitana Bonmati is next up behind Henry and 49th on the list of top-ranking athletes in the 21st century.
Zidane is in the 5th place for footballers, but in terms of the highest ranking athlete, he is the 50th.
Luka Modric is in 55th place, while Real Madrid star Kylian Mbappe is in 65th place. Ronaldo Nazario is in the 87th.
These are the football players (retired and currently playing) that are most ranked in the list of the top 100 athletes in the 21st century.
1. Lionel Messi
2. Cristiano Ronaldo
3. Marta
4. Thierry Henry
5. Aitana Bonmati
6. Zinedine Zidane
7. Luka Modric
8. Alexia Putellas
9. Mia Hamm
10. Kylian Mbappe
11. Andres Iniesta
12. Xavi Hernandez
13. Ronaldo Nazario
14. Ronaldinho
15. Zlatan Ibrahimovic
