We’ve seen many great moments throughout all sports, with many now-famous faces seeing recognition around the world for some incredible achievements. There are many names in sport who may not have reached the levels expected, or even players who are no longer remembered, making it incredibly difficult to stand out and hold a legacy, especially being regarded as someone who had a massive impact.
Lionel Messi
Lionel Messi Lionel Messi has been the face of football for over two decades, making his debut as a teenage Barcelona winger at just 17 in 2004. Few could have predicted that Messi would come to be regarded as the greatest of all time, claiming eight Ballon d’Or awards, netting approximately 900 goals, providing over 400 assists, and amassing countless individual and team honours. Since moving to Inter Miami in 2023, Messi has brought his star power to Florida, a state known for its vibrant casino scene featuring slot games such as rainbow riches slot. The Argentine World Cup winner redefined the role of the flashy, productive winger, paving the way and inspiring a new generation of players.
Stephen Curry
Stephen Curry is one of the greatest basketball players of all time, breaking numerous records and inspiring a new wave of basketball fans and players worldwide. The Golden State Warriors’ point guard has achieved the most points in NBA history, with over 3,700 career 3-pointers. Current players and upcoming players look to model their game based on Curry as a result of his incredible form, maintained over 16 years.
Tom Brady
Tom Brady is not just referred to as the greatest American Football player of all time, but one of the most iconic sportsmen who inspires many based on his mindset alone. With over 640 career touchdowns and 89,000 passing yards, the 7-time Super Bowl winner set a new standard for quarterbacks in terms of longevity and leadership, becoming a huge name in sports worldwide. His involvement in sport continues into 2025, as he becomes a board member at Birmingham City FC.
Serena Williams
Serena Williams is more than just one of the greatest professional tennis players of all time, but also a trailblazer for women in what was a relatively male-dominated sport. She’s an iconic figure across women’s sport, winning over 23 Grand Slam titles, the most in the Open Era. She dominated for many years alongside her sister and spent 319 weeks as world number 1, which is just over 6 years.
Shohei Ohtani
Often referred to as the modern-day Babe Ruth, Shohei Ohtani is arguably one of the best baseball players in 2025. Coming from Japan, where baseball is one of the most popular sports, he is one of their greatest exports, becoming both an incredible pitcher and hitter. He has dominated over the last few years with the LA Dodgers and LA Angels, winning 2 World Series and bringing back the two-way style of play.
Lewis Hamilton
Despite recent domination from Red Bull’s Max Verstappen, Lewis Hamilton is still likely to go down as one of the greatest F1 drivers of all time. Hamilton has represented some of the top teams in the sport, McLaren, Mercedes, and now Ferrari. Hamilton is one of the all-time greats in British sport, winning 105 races and finishing in a pole position 104 times, making him one of the most successful of all time. He is also an inspiration for many aspiring drivers, passing down his knowledge and skills to the youth of the sport.
Wayne Gretzky
Canadian-born Wayne Gretzky will be remembered as one of the greatest NHL players of all time, not only becoming the greatest in his position, but also one of the most talented players to ever step onto the ice. In fact, he holds the record for the most points, 2,857, which is even more impressive considering no other player has accumulated 2,000. He’s an inspiration to many, revolutionising offensive strategy and vision on the ice.
Usain Bolt
A name that is recognisable even by those who pay no attention to sport, Usain Bolt is an incredible, almost superhuman athlete who broke the record for being the fastest man on the planet. The Jamaican sprinter broke both the 100m and 200m sprint records with times of 9.58 seconds and 19.9 seconds, respectively. He is iconic and respected for his longevity, being unbeaten in 3 consecutive Olympics from 2008 to 2016.
Marta
Women’s football has recently seen an incredible jump in appreciation and viewership, with Marta being regarded as one of the greatest players of all time. The now 39-year-old Brazilian attacker has broken records that neither men’s nor women’s players have broken, scoring 17 World Cup goals. She became the first player to score in 5 different World Cups, inspiring a whole new generation of female footballers.
Michael Phelps
One of the most amazing Olympians of all time, breaking the record for winning the most Olympic medals, 28 in total, with 23 of which are gold. The professional swimmer is by far the greatest of all time in his sport, inspiring a new generation and even bringing viewership to the sport.
