most famous retired athletes
-- Ian Chadband, "Messi is outside all praise. -- Jim Caple, "I am a little bit more famous now, but I don't have changes in my life. -- Thomas Neumann, "I still feel pretty young. Instead, we should celebrate that, on his day, Sterling is solid gold. He has more assists for Leo Messi than anyone else in Barcelona history. Did we dare suggest last year that El Tigre had lost his roar and become a bit of a toothless tabby? Unlike Mario Gtze, Mats Hummels and Robert Lewandowski, his teammates in BVB's memorable run to the 2014 Champions League final, he's turned down multiple offers to leave his boyhood club, which had released him as a teenager thinking he was too small. Even before Singh started his sportswear brand YWC in the fall of 2016, we knew he had style. He's unafraid to experiment with myriad colors, styles and accessories, as evidenced by the pink suit, green fedora and multicolored bow tie he rocked in Week 8 last season. He captured his first major championship at the 2016 U.S. Open, winning by three strokes despite a controversial one-stroke penalty. -- Thomas Neumann, "He's a monster. Therefore, popular stars such as Tony Romo (No. We can understand someone wanting to start a family or struggling with the pressures of top class sports, but Roa, a practising Seventh-day Adventist, retired in 1999 because he believed that the world was going to end imminently. Not bad for a player in his career twilight. Yes, a 5,000 brioche. Enjoying an incredibly successful career as a running back for the New York Giants, Tiki Barber surprised fans when he announced his retirement in 2006 at the age of 31. Well, the great news is that Falcao has this season at Monaco rewound the clock, after his miserable interlude at Manchester United and Chelsea, to remind us of when he was one of the world's deadliest strikers before the ACL injury that made him miss the 2014 World Cup. Popular for his dribbling skills, Messi is regarded as the greatest footballer of all time. Get on my back and I'm going to carry you.'" And unlike many male golfers who declined to play, Fowler proudly represented his country at the 2016 Olympics. -- Ian Chadband, "You will retire me one day, but this kid will retire us both." When you score your country's first World Cup goal ever, as Drogba did for Ivory Coast in 2006, you won't soon be forgotten. Known as "Super Dan," he's a two-time Olympic gold medalist and is still ranked in the top 10 in the world. Top 100 MLB players of all time - Nos. 25-1 - ESPN I think he's been tremendous for the team, his fans and also for television." Ranker Sports Updated June 23, 2023 7.0K votes 945 voters 120.0K views Over 900 Ranker voters have come together to rank this list of Old Athletes You Didn't Realize Are Still Alive -- Anthony Olivieri, "After the Olympic Games, table tennis is very popular in China, I hope we can make it more popular in all parts of the world." 19. When zil went from Real Madrid to Arsenal in 2013 in the most expensive transfer ever for a German player, it didn't go over well with Madrid's Cristiano Ronaldo: "The sale of zil is bad news for me. Raisman captained both the 2012 and 2016 U.S. Olympic teams and joined Gabby Douglas as the only Americans with back-to-back team gold medals. What did you do when you were 19? Whether it's out of economic necessity or simply the need to be needed or at least not bored more and more Americans over the proverbial retirement age of 65 are continuing to work, either in. The fact that such a pedestrian event created such a stir indicates the level of celebrity of the players involved. He wasn't able to qualify for any major events, and retired for good. He also tasted infamy for punching a team equipment manager in 2016, breaking his hand and earning a suspension in the process. The likeness was so bad, even Ronaldo had to laugh at himself -- not something you can say too often. And she is best friends with her biggest competitor, Serena Williams. Dirk Nowitzki's Best Teammates Throughout His NBA Career, Dwyane Wade's Best Teammates Throughout His NBA Career, The Greatest Shooting Guards in NBA History, The Best NFL Player Nicknames Of All Time, The Best European NBA Players of All Time, The Greatest Men's Tennis Players of All Time, The Greatest Male Tennis Players of the Open Era, The Tallest Men's Tennis Players Of All Time, Ranked. Checkthis list throughout the year for recent 2019 athlete retirements. He just missed out on a second major when he lost a playoff with Sergio Garcia at the 2017 Masters. Paul is one of the most instinctive point guards in NBA history, a fierce competitor who might rank much higher on this list if a proposed trade to the Lakers hadn't been quashed by then-commissioner David Stern in 2011. Our Second Annual Ranking of theBiggest Names in Sports, Who are the most famous athletes on the planet? Those mesmeric feet might not be tripping the light fantastic at Barcelona's Nou Camp as regularly as they once did as damnable age pursues him, but the shy genius can still exert a magical hold over us all. The next year, he almost lost his life in a freak accident when he crashed after a loose spring from another car struck him in the head. He looks the kind of humble personality on the pitch, ready to work for the team and to work and to adapt himself to a new life." At the 2008 Summer Olympics, Wade led the United States men's basketball team, commonly known as the "Redeem Team", in scoring and helped them capture the gold medal. -- Johnson. Has no one stopped to think that fame is s---?" And unlike most English-speaking players, she can address fans in French or Italian when she plays at tournaments in those countries. Despite his short career, Johnson holds a number of records. On the negative side, an infidelity scandal that went public in 2009 threatened to undermine his legacy, and he was arrested on a DUI charge on Memorial Day of 2017. 1 for more than 300 total weeks and has picked up four Olympic gold medals. 50 Greatest Players in NBA History - Wikipedia Sanders retired from the Detroit Lions in 1998 at the age of 31 and in his last year was fourth in the league in rushing. When he hits free agency this summer, he'll reportedly be eligible for the first NBA deal that eclipses $200 million. To publish, simply grab the HTML code or text to the left and paste into 26 in 2016) are absent. I want to give what I can do." How dull that all anyone wants to talk about now are his goals, goals, goals as the Golden Shoe winner in 2015-16 as Europe's leading marksman. In 2013, Johnson carded 329 receiving yards against the Dallas Cowboys, which is the second most all-time for a single game. They have other qualities. And we mentioned he's only 23, right? -- Thomas Neumann, "I always thought he was a great basketball player. When asked several times about playing alongside Durant and other Warriors players, he instead answered each time by discussing sartorial subjects. Yet first and foremost, Hernndez is the obsession of a country, not a club. And seemingly shrugging off the pressure, the do-it-all point guard became the NBA Rookie of the Year, the Bulls' first All-Star since Michael Jordan and league MVP -- all in his first three seasons. The livewire Atletico Madrid striker has become the game's most wanted with giants such as Manchester United reportedly on his trail, waving fat checkbooks. After the '72 games, Spitz retired at 22; he was later quoted saying that he retired because he didn't have a future in swimming because he couldn't make any money in the sport. Djokovic has a restaurant group that offers gluten-free meals, as well as a vegan restaurant in Monaco. The 50 Greatest Living Athletes | GQ -- Gary Kirsten, former Team India coach. -- Lillard. When your talent and humility is as regal as Iniesta's, then how fitting it was that Queen Sofia of Spain herself should present him in January 2017 with her own award to mark his special contribution to the national sporting life. An uncommonly gifted striker with Lyon and Real Madrid, his career has been disfigured by off-field scandal, the latest being a charge of allegedly blackmailing a France teammate over a sex tape. Life is like this, sometimes people lose and sometimes people win but people only need to be happy. 0 of 20. Though he's currently sidelined by a metabolic disorder, Gtze has been praised by nearly every luminary in the game. You know you've got to be pretty special if you end up unveiling a giant statue of yourself in your home city when your career hasn't even finished, as the 28-year-old Snchez did in March. I know he's always able to decide a match." I look forward to pouring my heart out every night for this city, my teammates and the fans." She was also the senior member of the 2012 squad. 25+ Soccer Players Who Retired in 2021 - Ranker In 2008, he was perhaps the first footballer to be given his own one-hour TV special. Neuer is the German version of actor John Krasinski -- at least according to Pixar, which tapped the five-time Bundesliga champion for the voice of blue creature Frank McCay in the German version of "Monsters University." Mike McCarn/AP Sport: Football Age retired: 28 Years as a pro: 8 One thing to know: Kuechly was a seven-time Pro Bowl member and five-time First Team All-Pro.. Muhammad Ali mark reinstein/Shutterstock No list of the best athletes is complete without "The Greatest" Muhammad Ali. When my form came back, or when I picked up wickets, or when I got the big scores, or when I got player of the match, or hit six sixes, had I ever asked God, 'Why me?' -- Thomas Neumann, "This isn't about one person. I have had dreams about gold medals, but when I touched the wall I didn't realize I had it." In the storied Brazilian tradition of Carlos Alberto and Cafu, Alves is the greatest right-back of his generation. In a country where most athletes are government employees expected to toe the line, Lin is a bad-boy sex symbol whose notoriety only adds to his celebrity. Top 10 Greatest Philly Sports Stars of All Time - Bleacher Report We're still waiting, Theo. Sponsored by Nike, "The Cesc Fbregas Show" aired on Sky Sports and featured various distinguished talking heads from sport, stage and screen all raving about him. ", Zetao has many sponsorship deals, from Adidas and Skullcandy to FitBit China and De Beers China. The following list shows such athletes in addition to any noteworthy achievements that they earned during their playing career after returning from retirement. That is a much happier narrative than the allegations of drug use, heavy drinking and other indiscretions that have dogged him in past years. He has mentioned playing soccer with Manchester United, but perhaps he will go into cricket, a sport he loved as a kid in Jamaica. Even his old father-in-law Maradona, who called Agero a "wimp" after he split up with his daughter, would ruefully acknowledge "Kun" has always had a touch of El Diego's sorcery with Argentina's Independente, Atletico Madrid and now City. -- Pep Guardiola, when Barcelona captain, talking to a then-young Xavi about the even younger Iniesta. That narrative ended this spring when Garcia, a five-time Ryder Cup champion who once ranked as high as No. The do-it-all Thunder point guard literally did it all this season after Kevin Durant's departure to Golden State. Then head over and check out all the NFL players who retired in 2019 and all the NBA players who ended their careers before the 2019-20 season. He makes you believe everything he believes. 1 in 2016. There are way too many careers in sports cut short by injury, and Brandon Roy's is just another sad example. Wade is married to actress Gabrielle Union, and with three NBA rings and 20,000-plus career points under his belt, he can start writing that Hall of Fame speech. One of the reasons I don't spend much time in Ireland or the UK anymore is because of that tabloid culture. Fed has held the No. -- Bayern captain Philipp Lahm, jokingly, after Lewandowski's five-goal outburst. When he was a kid, Kroos was so good a high school PE teacher made him play barefoot to give the other boys a chance. The weirdest honor to Hazard is to be found outside the stadium in the little Belgian town of Tubize, where he spent his formative footballing years. Well, the frizzy-haired Brazilian, who went to Paris Saint-Germain from Chelsea for 50 million and back again for another 38 million, has always been a very different sort of defender, a careering, daring talent whose risk-taking has your heart engulfing your mouth. 20. McGregor has earned as much as $3 million for a fight (not counting pay-per-view bonuses), a UFC record; but that's nothing compared to $75 million or so that has been speculated if a deal ever gets done for him to box against Floyd Mayweather. The 42-year-old Brazilian also has seen his share of controversy, failing multiple drug tests in 2015 and being slapped with a one-year suspension. His velocity is in his mind." -- Ian Chadband, "Lions, they don't compare themselves with humans." They called me and asked me to be the face of the franchise. The ESPN World Fame 100 is our annual attempt to create a ranking, through statistical analysis, of the 100 most famous athletes on the planet. All currency figures were converted to U.S. dollars using March 27 rates. But Ma's coach, Liu Guoliang, told AFP that he directs Long to the closest watering hole when "the pressure gets very high." Si vous souhaitez personnaliser vos choix, cliquez sur Grer les paramtres de confidentialit. While running for the Cleveland Browns, Brown set the records for most seasons leading the league in rushing, most consecutive seasons leading in rushing, and most seasons leading the league in touchdowns, all records that still stand today. He's capable of leading an unlikely comeback or making a game-changing mistake. Having maneuvered through success, heartbreak and near tragedy, all with equal humility, it's no wonder the Brazilian is beloved in Formula One circles. Armstrong has since been stripped of all his cycling titles; he is also banned for life. He does things you do not see even in 'Oliver and Benji' (a soccer-themed anime series) or PlayStation. Perhaps the only adequate way to describe the miracle of Pacquiao's career is to ask you to imagine an eighth grader traveling around the world and knocking out the toughest high school seniors he can find. Indeed, Brees has come a long way since being benched in favor of 41-year-old Doug Flutie back in 2003. She is ranked among the all-time greatest athletes in the heptathlon and long jump. -- Jim Caple, "I don't want to be just known for the way I dress. Actually, it's easy to feel a little sympathy for the Jamaican-born lad who already has felt the unfairness of being the scapegoat when England fails. He came in at No. Ah, bless. Despite testing positive in 2016 for the banned substance meldonium, which resulted in a 15-month suspension, she is one of just three women in the top 25 of this list. Yet, of course, he's much more than that, someone whose midfield industry and intelligence enabled him to take over from the incomparable Xavi so seamlessly after his signing from Sevilla that he was key in helping Barca to the Champions League/La Liga/Copa del Rey treble in his first season in 2014-15 and a Liga/Copa double the next. More: Will you still hate Lochte by the end of this story? Kiptanui wants retired athletes honoured on merit - The Star Still, his luminous ability will ensure no lack of suitors if the widely predicted parting comes this summer. Junior is a racing legend, a status built from his first full Cup season in 2000, when he won twice. "Getting by" on an average of $11 million a year while winning two MVPs under his current four-year deal, Curry has been one of the league's greatest bargains. She became besties with her crush, actor Zac Efron, who came to visit Biles in Rio in a meeting set up by NBC's "Today" show. -- Thomas Neumann, "It's been an amazing week, and I'm going to enjoy it for the rest of my life." Who Is The Most Famous Athlete In The World Right Now? - Ranker I can never just be 'Hope Solo, the longtime goalkeeper for the national team.'" The most talented, skillful, imperious central defender of his era -- and with all due respect to the likes of Ramos, Pique and Bonuccci, it's not even close. We defend MLB's worst-ever trades. 1. Marciano was a heavyweight fighter and is widely considered one of the best of all-time with fights against other legends like Jersey Joe Walcott, Joe Louis, and Ezzard Charles. All of Spitz's records have since been eclipsed, and the swimming phenom briefly attempted a comeback at the age of 41. -- Jim Caple, He has that thing that you can't teach people, whatever it is that makes people gravitate toward you. -- Dotun Akintoye, "You make hay while the sun shines, and if he keeps focused he can break every record out there." Just watch him. The film of him robbing and outpacing Leo Messi to score a wondrous goal in a 2006 international against Argentina reminds us why Real Madrid once broke the world record transfer fee to buy him. Despite that, he might be only the second-most famous person in his household since marrying singer/actress Ciara last year. There is no declaration of love in Italy like having a pizza named after you, which is exactly what happened to Salah when he played in Florence. -- Thomas Neumann, "I never really set out to change the game. -- Ben Arledge, "You can drink out of the Claret Jug and I guess the Olympic gold would be a nice coaster for the glass of wine." We started with Forbes' annual list of the highest-paid athletes and expanded the pool from there using a variety of domestic and international sources to make sure we didn't overlook any legitimate candidates. She was born on March 3, 1962. I think that makes you tougher. James turned the moribund Cavaliers into a contender -- only to take his talents to Miami in 2010 and win two championships with the Heat. -- Ben Arledge, "I plan to be aggressive because at this point it's win or go home. If Messi and Ronaldo are the best in the world -- in whatever order -- is it perhaps time to put Hazard, the breathtakingly quicksilver, slaloming Chelsea star, in the argument for the third man?
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most famous retired athletes
