Athletes inspire people. Regardless of which team or which country they belong to, they are a beacon of hope, inspiration, and leadership around the world. These are the people who spend their whole life making a name for themselves so they can be recognized by their work, their sportsmanship, and their skill. They tell you how a mere human can create waves of motivation and proud in the hearts of millions.

There is always a list that people have in their heads when they think about ‘the greatest’ and they don’t have to think twice. Some are great because of their skills in sports, some are great because of their leadership skills and how they transformed their teams and the sports they were a part of.

Swimming: Michael Phelps

First on our list is an American Swimming master who started his career in 2000 and since then, he has won 28 medals and titles in his career including an ultra-impressive finish in Beijing Olympics 2008. He is 32 years old with a great track record and has simply dominated the world of swimming.

American Football: Tom Brady

Tom Brady has spent over 15 years building a career as a leader. He has been with the New England Patriots, taking them to seven Super Bowls, winning five of them. Even if he is surrounded by inexperienced players, he tries to make it all work by being the best at his job. He is a two-time NFL MVP and four-time MVP for the Super Bowl.

Squash: Jahangir Khan

A Guinness world record holder, the former Pakistani squash player is famous for his magnificent 555 games-in-a-row win streak. This kind of history is never to be witnessed again. He was told that he will never become a squash player because he was weak and feeble and he proved everyone wrong by becoming a source of inspiration for the world.

Soccer: Lionel Messi

His name and fame knows no bounds; he is the epitome of speed and strategy in soccer across the world. Messi is the face of many social organizations and is a human Twitter trend because his daily occurrence of doing something out of the ordinary on the pitch. He has been with Argentina’s soccer team since the early 2000s and he makes every game worthwhile. He is also world’s second most paid soccer player, and constantly butts heads with Cristiano Ronaldo for this spot.

Golf: Tiger Woods

A 15-time world champion, Tiger Woods is a name that everyone knows in the sports world. The American golfer’s techniques, strategy and passion are unmatched until now, even after his career took a turn for the worst. Golf was known to the general public as a boring game until he came along and told the world that it is classy, exciting and fun to watch.

MMA: Ronda Rousey

She is considered to be the most dangerous woman on earth. She cleared the path for every female fighter across the glove towards combat sports. Ronda Jean Rousey has a 12-2 MMA and 6-2 UFC record that made her a phenomenal woman in sports, with an image that men of the MMA envy. Rousey is currently ranked the number four Bantamweight fighter in the world, but her influence on the sport goes well beyond her professional fighting record.

Basketball: Michael Jordan

The former American basketball player and the most famous name in basketball history is an inspiration to millions. Born in 1963, this 54-year-old legend is considered to be the greatest basketball player of all time. He ruled NBA in the 1980s and 1990s. His scoring average in his career is 32.0, still an unbeatable feat. He has earned hundreds of awards, nominations, and titles along the support and a name for himself that has transcended just the sports world and turned itself into a brand.

Cricket: Ricky Ponting

He is no doubt the greatest cricket team captain in the world. Ponting stood with the Australian Cricket team from 2004 to 2011 and from 2002 to 2011 in test matches and one-day international matches respectively and his strategy and skill are regarded very highly in the world of cricket. He is also an excellent batsman and his name is taken with Brian Lara, Sachin Tendulkar and Javed Miandad.

Sprinter: Usain Bolt

He is referred as the fastest runner who ever lived. The Jamaican has achieved so much since 2008 Olympics, where he put himself on the map. He is the only person to hold two records: one in 100 meters and one in 200 meters (both world records), since fully automated time became mandatory. He is now considered to be the greatest sprinter of all time and is called ‘Triple Double’ because of his record of being the only sprinter to win Olympic 100m and 200m titles at three consecutive Olympics.

Boxing: Muhammad Ali

Anyone who ever picks up a boxing glove knows the name Muhammad Ali, the greatest boxer who ever lived. He is known as the fastest boxer on the planet and every good boxer aspires to be like him. Ali is regarded as one of World’s most significant and celebrated sports figures and activists. His motivational quotes are found everywhere and his legacy is said to be holy when boxers address his name.