Exclusive: Lionel Messi Takes the Crown as Highest-Ranked Footballer in Top 100 Athletes of the 21st Century
Lionel Messi, the Argentina and Inter Miami captain, has topped the charts as the highest-ranked footballer in a list of the top 100 athletes of the 21st century, according to ESPN.
In a shocking turn of events, the former Barcelona forward finds himself in third position, just behind swimmer Michael Phelps, who claims the top spot. Cristiano Ronaldo, Messi’s eternal rival, comes in at second on the list, but disappointingly falls short of the top 10, placing 13th overall.
Several other football legends have been left out of the top five, including Zinedine Zidane, Ronaldo Nazario, Ronaldinho, and Luka Modric.
Not to be overlooked, Brazilian soccer sensation Marta makes her mark as the best-placed women’s footballer, ranking 32nd, while Arsenal legend Thierry Henry follows closely behind, coming in at 48th. Barcelona women’s star Aitana Bonmati places 49th in the rankings, alongside Zidane and Modric at 50th and 55th places, respectively.
Real Madrid’s Kylian Mbappe, meanwhile, ranks 65th on the list, and Ronaldo Nazario surprisingly takes 87th position.
This comprehensive ranking gives readers a glimpse into the incredible athletic achievements of the 21st century. Which footballers will take center stage next? Stay tuned for updates.
[Category: Sports News]
