The Top 10 Best Retired Athletes celebrates legendary competitors whose extraordinary careers, records, and influence left an indelible mark on sports history. These icons achieved greatness across their disciplines, retired as champions, and continue to inspire future generations through their legacy, leadership, and enduring impact.
Michael Jordan Michael Jordan is widely regarded as the greatest basketball player of all time, winning six NBA championships with the Chicago Bulls in the 1990s, earning six Finals MVP awards. Known for his scoring ability, defensive prowess, and clutch performances, he ... Show More
+ Comment+ Vote ( 1 )Pelé Pelé, born Edson Arantes do Nascimento, is one of football’s greatest icons, winning three FIFA World Cups with Brazil (1958, 1962, 1970)—the only player to do so. Debuting internationally at 15 and scoring in the 1958 final at 17, he combined speed, skill, and ... Show More
+ Comment+ Vote ( 1 )Muhammad Ali Muhammad Ali was not only a three-time world heavyweight boxing champion but also a cultural icon, activist, and humanitarian. Known as "The Greatest," he won Olympic gold in 1960 and turned professional with dazzling speed and charisma. Ali defeated ... Show More
+ Comment+ Vote ( 1 )Serena Williams Serena Williams is the most dominant female tennis player of the Open Era, winning 23 Grand Slam singles titles—the most in the Open Era—and four Olympic gold medals. Known for her powerful serve, aggressive baseline play, and unmatched mental toughness, ... Show More
+ Comment+ Vote ( 1 )Wayne Gretzky Wayne Gretzky, "The Great One," is the most dominant player in NHL history, holding over 60 league records. He scored 894 career goals and 1,963 assists, far surpassing any other player. Playing primarily for the Edmonton Oilers in the 1980s, he led ... Show More
+ Comment+ Vote ( 1 )Carl Lewis Carl Lewis won nine Olympic gold medals and one silver across four Olympic Games (1984–1996), matching Paavo Nurmi’s record. Dominating long jump and sprinting, he won gold in the long jump four times consecutively (1984–1996), a feat matched only in ... Show More
+ Comment+ Vote ( 1 )Jack Nicklaus Jack Nicklaus, known as the "Golden Bear," holds the record for most major championship wins with 18, a benchmark of excellence in golf. Over a career spanning the 1960s to the 1980s, he won six Masters, five PGA Championships, four U.S. Opens, and ... Show More
+ Comment+ Vote ( 1 )Babe Ruth Babe Ruth, "The Bambino," revolutionized baseball with his prodigious power and larger-than-life personality. Playing primarily for the New York Yankees, he transformed the game from a low-scoring, strategy-based sport into a home run era. Ruth hit 714 ... Show More
+ Comment+ Vote ( 1 )Martina Navratilova Martina Navratilova revolutionized women’s tennis with her aggressive serve-and-volley style and unparalleled fitness. Winning 18 Grand Slam singles titles and a record 31 major doubles titles, she is one of the most successful players ever. ... Show More
+ Comment+ Vote ( 1 )Tiger Woods Tiger Woods revolutionized golf with his power, precision, and unmatched dominance, winning 15 major championships and 82 PGA Tour titles, tying Sam Snead for the most in history. Turning professional in 1996, he quickly ascended to world No. 1, capturing the ... Show More
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