The sporting industry is one of the most lucrative in the world and has produced some of the most well-known celebrities across the globe. Whether it be footy heroes or basketball legends, there are countless amazing athletes that hold their status no matter what and have become household names due to their amazing talents and achievements in sports; here are some of the very best, I'm sure you will recognize a few.
Edson Arantes do Nascimento “Pelé” - Brazillian Soccer
Football is the most popular sport in the world and is jam-packed full of amazing talents that lead to countless bets placed on Infogol on the big games and even the little ones. It is frequently disputed who really is the best player, but many agree that Pele deserves the crown more so than any other player. He had an outstanding career for two decades, with his first major success - the World Cup - was won at only the age of 17.
Pele has played a crucial role in all three World Cups that have been won by his club, but that is the most World Cups won by any footballer in their career and that is a major reason why he is so highly regarded for his skill. Alongside his success for his team in the World Cup, he also had a stellar record for goal-scoring throughout his career, with 1283 goals in 1363 games.
Muhammad Ali - USA Boxer
When it comes to throwing punches, Muhammad Ali made his mark during his 21-year boxing career and still comes to the mind of fans despite retiring back in 2016, his impact on the sport is unforgettable. Not only is he regarded as the best boxer, but often as the best sportsman in general.
Ali has fought in a number of history's greatest fights: Rumble in the Jungle, Fight of the Century and Thrilla in Manila. Not only is Ali famous for his career in boxing, but also for his well-known quotes - “float like a butterfly, sting like a bee” - not to mention his strong political stance.
Serena Williams - USA Tennis Player
It's refreshing to see a woman so well regarded in such a males dominated industry, Serena Williams has dominated the game of tennis and has won more Grand Slams than any other tennis player in the world, male or female. Her success was not with difficulty and she had to show her worth within the game due to both her gender and her race, as did her older sister Venus Willaims who also plays tennis professionally.
Usain Bolt - Jamaican Sprinter
Along with being the world record holder for the 100-meter sprint, Usain Bolt has won 8 Olympic gold medals and has a documentary that followed his preparation for the 2016 Rio Olympics. His speed shocked the world and made records in the sport that many thought impossible.
Michael Jordan - NBA
Not only is Jordan famous for being arguably the best basketball player in the world;although basketball is primarily popular in the USA, more so than many other countries, his name carries weight all over the world due to his many endorsements and fashion collaborations that have added to his worldwide fame.
He has been previously named the greatest sportsman in the 20th century whilst achieving the majority of his success playing in the NBA for the Chicago Bulls as their most valuable player, this achievement comes alongside many other accolades he was given since being drafted for the NBA in 1984.
