ACCORDING to ESPN, Lionel Messi is only behind swimmer Michael Phelps and tennis player Serena Williams.
In the list of top athletes of the 21st century just announced by ESPN , Messi ranked third. Cristiano Ronaldo ranked 13th, and is the second soccer player to appear in the Top 20.
Nine other male footballers feature in the Top 100, including Thierry Henry at 48, Zinedine Zidane at 50, Luka Modric at 55, Kylian Mbappe at 65, Andres Iniesta at 70, Xavi at 75, Ronaldo De Lima at 87, Ronaldinho at 94 and Zlatan Ibrahimovic at 95. The rankings are based on the success and influence of athletes since the turn of the 21st century.
Messi wins the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. Photo: Reuters
According to ESPN , Messi winning the 2022 World Cup with Argentina is the biggest Hollywood ending football has ever seen. The sports channel quoted Ronaldo De Lima: “Messi has surpassed all opponents, even the rivalry between Brazil and Argentina. I see the people of Brazil and all over the world supporting Messi. It is a fitting end for a genius who marked an era.”
