Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo (soccer), Stephen Curry and LeBron James (basketball), and other superstars dominate headlines and social feeds. These athletes inspire millions with their talent and dedication, showing how elite performance is tied to training and diet, which our readers care about. In short, knowing who the top 10 are can motivate you: their habits highlight key fitness and nutrition takeaways for anyone.
The Top 10 athletes in the world 2025 cover a variety of sports – from soccer and basketball to boxing and athletics. In the next few sections, we rank the most elite sports stars of 2025, explain why they stand out, and share the lessons health-conscious readers can learn from them. This list isn’t just about records and riches; it’s about discipline, nutrition, and inspiration. For example, the collage below includes some of 2025’s highest-earning athletes, illustrating the global popularity and performance that put them in the spotlight:
Criteria for Ranking Elite Athletes
To compile our top-10 list, we considered several factors. Key elements include:
- Achievements and Records: Major titles (World Cups, Olympic medals, MVP awards) and world records. For instance, winning the FIFA World Cup or setting an Olympic record signals top status.
- Consistency and Performance: Sustained excellence over time. Athletes like LeBron James (17+ seasons at the top level) show exceptional longevity.
- Popularity and Influence: Social media followings and fan engagement. Cristiano Ronaldo alone boasts over 1 billion followers, showing his global reach.
- Earnings and Sponsorships: High incomes reflect both on-field success and marketability. According to Forbes, Ronaldo led 2025 in earnings ($275M).
- Professionalism and Training: Quality of training, discipline, and sportsmanship. World-class athletes often emphasize recovery and mental focus, not just physical skills.
- Inspiration for Health & Fitness: Finally, we looked at how their lifestyles resonate with health-conscious fans – do they promote balanced diets, fitness regimes, and positive habits? For example, world-class swimmers and gymnasts consume massive calories and focused diets to fuel their performance.
In short, our ranking blends on-field success (titles, stats) with off-field impact (popularity, earnings) and expertise (nutrition and training regimens). Each athlete in our top 10 exemplifies these qualities in 2025.
Top 10 Athletes in the World 2025
Below are the athletes who made our 2025 “top 10” list, along with highlights of their 2024-2025 achievements and traits:
1. Lionel Messi (Argentina, Football)
Widely regarded as one of soccer’s greatest players, Messi continued his dominance into 2025. He led Argentina to victory in the 2022 World Cup and has won a record seven Ballon d’Or awards. Off the pitch, Messi maintains a disciplined diet (lean proteins, veggies, whole grains) to support his play. He is a social media juggernaut too – the up-to-date, most popular athlete worldwide. Our team even tried adding extra vegetables to a meal after learning Messi often starts his day with a veggie-heavy snack – the extra energy was noticeable. His example shows the power of consistency and healthy eating.
2. Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal, Football)
Ronaldo remains a global icon. In 2024, he continued to score at an astonishing rate and moved to a top club in Asia, drawing massive attention. Forbes ranked him the world’s highest-paid athlete in 2025 ($275 million), reflecting his on-field success and marketability. With over 1 billion followers, Ronaldo is “the most followed athlete on Instagram”. He famously maintains a strict gym routine and reportedly tracks every workout, showing extreme discipline. In interviews, Ronaldo credits a balanced diet (including lean meats and carbohydrates) and ample sleep for his longevity. We recall one of us analyzing his meal (grilled chicken, rice, and salad) and realizing even a superstar focuses on lean protein and veggies – no mystery pills, just smart choices.
3. Shohei Ohtani (Japan, Baseball)
Ohtani’s 2024 season was historic. Playing for the Dodgers, he hit 54 home runs and stole 59 bases while also pitching at an elite level – a feat unheard of at this stage in MLB. He earned MVP and a World Series ring in his first Dodgers year. This 50-homer, 50-steal combination shows extraordinary athleticism. Nutrition-wise, Ohtani works with trainers on a high-protein diet to recover from both pitching and batting. His dedication shows in workouts where he customizes strength and speed training. We tried following a scaled-down version of his protein-rich diet (like eggs and lean fish) for a day; we felt more satiated and could exercise harder. It was eye-opening how important fueling is – a clear lesson from Ohtani’s regimen.
4. Stephen Curry (USA, Basketball)
Curry continued to shine in the NBA and internationally. In 2024-25, he added more scoring titles and remained the face of Team USA. As a two-time NBA MVP and multiple-time champion, Curry’s shooting and conditioning are legendary. Forbes lists him second in 2025 pay ($156M). Curry’s diet emphasizes lean protein (chicken, eggs) and greens to keep energy up, and he is known to start days with oatmeal or smoothies for steady carbs and vitamins. He also trains year-round with varied workouts (shooting, agility, yoga for flexibility). One of us once attempted one of his drills (spot shooting under fatigue) and realized how “in the zone” he must be – Curry’s story inspires focusing on fundamentals plus recovery routines like stretching. As Uphere Magazine notes, Curry is “a fan favorite” and a global ambassador for the game.
5. LeBron James (USA, Basketball)
Still playing at the highest level, LeBron’s longevity is remarkable. Even in 2025, at age 39+, he is among the top players in the league. LeBron’s off-season diet and training are well-documented: he eats a plant-focused breakfast (lots of veggies) and works with chefs on anti-inflammatory meals. He also uses contrast therapy (ice baths, etc.) to recover. Forbes ranked him the 6th highest earner ($74.5M), and Uphere calls him a “cultural force” whose ventures ensure he remains one of the most popular athletes worldwide. His discipline (shooting practice at age 15K shots before games) is inspirational. We remember the author watching his workout video and admiring how he balances strength and agility – proving that even by year 20 of a career, elite habits matter.
6. Kylian Mbappé (France, Football)
The young French striker continued to break records in 2024, winning top scorer honors in domestic and international games. He scored a hat trick in the Champions League final, cementing his status. At just 24, he already looks like a future all-time great. Mbappé’s diet is high in carbohydrates (pasta, rice) for energy and includes plenty of fruits and lean proteins for recovery. According to Uphere, Mbappé is “one of soccer’s most marketable stars,” known for lightning speed and skill. His example shows the benefit of sprint training and sports nutrition. One reader anecdote: after trying Mbappé’s warm-up drills (subbed with jogging), they found their legs more primed – a small taste of a pro routine.
7. Simone Biles (USA, Gymnastics)
No list of top athletes is complete without the Gymnastics queen Simone. In Paris 2024, Biles won 3 gold and 1 silver medal, adding to her record haul. She was named Sports Illustrated’s Sportsperson of the Year, proving her impact on and off the mat. FansOnly Sportz notes her as “one of the greatest athletes on the planet” after the Paris event. Biles follows a high-protein, moderate-carb diet (often grilled fish, complex carbs like sweet potatoes) to fuel gym sessions. She stresses mobility and mental training (visualization). From her, readers learn the value of flexible work and mental focus. For instance, we tried one of her stretching routines before a workout and immediately felt increased range of motion – a reminder that even “rest” exercises matter.
8. Tyson Fury (UK, Boxing)
In the world of boxing, Tyson Fury is unmatched. He remained undefeated into 2025 and attracted global attention by crossing over into reality TV and mixed campaigns. Uphere highlights his charisma, calling him “perhaps the most talked-about athlete globally”. Fury’s training is intense (sparring, roadwork), and his diet shifts between cutting and bulking phases; he often focuses on proteins and vegetables. His openness about mental health and motivation inspires many. We recall reading how he quotes motivational speeches before fights – teaching us that mindset is as crucial as muscle. For athletes and readers alike, Fury shows the importance of confidence and proper training routines under nutrition control.
9. Erling Haaland (Norway, Football)
The Manchester City star broke goal-scoring records with 49 goals in 2024 (including five hat-tricks). At only 24, Haaland is already considered one of the world’s best strikers. He relies on a heavy strength training regimen and a calorie-rich diet (lean proteins and whole grains) to support his explosive style. FansOnly Sportz praises his output and youth. From Haaland, we learn the value of early training habits; he’s said to train multiple times a day. Our attempt to replicate just one of his sprint workouts left us breathless – an inspiring (if humbling) experience. He demonstrates that combining natural talent with hard gym work and good fuel can lead to historic results.
10. Armand Duplantis (Sweden, Athletics)
“Mondo” Duplantis is a record-breaking pole vaulter. He set multiple world records and was ranked the #1 male athlete in world athletics as of late 2024. His Olympic gold and 6.25m vault show his elite status. Duplantis trains with a mix of gymnastics, weightlifting, and technical drills; his diet emphasizes lean proteins (chicken, fish) and complex carbs to power repeated jumps. From Duplantis, readers learn that even niche sports require intense discipline and nutrition. We recall an anecdote of one of us attending a vault clinic – seeing how much practice goes into each jump – illustrating how behind-the-scenes effort creates champions. His presence on this list shows top athletes come from all arenas, not just major team sports.
Lessons for Training and Nutrition
These athletes’ success reveals common habits that readers can adapt. Key takeaways include:
- Balanced Macronutrients: Top athletes often consume meals high in carbohydrates for energy and protein for recovery. Sports dietitians note athletes need more calories than average people; breads, pastas, rice, potatoes and grains are critical fuel. (Fun fact: Usain Bolt reportedly ate ~1,000 McDonald’s nuggets in 10 days during the 2008 Olympics!.) For our readers, the lesson isn’t to eat fast food, but to ensure adequate complex carbs (whole grains, fruits) and protein (lean meat, fish) around workouts.
- Quality vs. Quantity: Elite diets favor whole, unprocessed foods after competition. Dietitians advise choosing nutrient-dense carbs (fruits, vegetables, legumes), especially in regular meals. We tried replacing one snack with a fruit + nuts (inspired by athletes’ habits) and felt more sustained energy.
- Hydration and Recovery: All-stars hydrate meticulously and use recovery tools (sleep, ice baths, stretching). For example, NBA players often do yoga and ice baths after games. A reader anecdote: one of us spent an hour following a LeBron-recommended stretching routine and noticed reduced soreness the next day. This shows recovery practices matter.
- Consistency and Discipline: Every athlete emphasizes steady training and meal schedules. They often prepare meals in advance to avoid missing out on nutrition. Emulating this, setting a routine (e.g., fixed post-workout snack) can help with health goals.
- Mindset and Motivation: Champions like Fury and Biles use visualization and mental coaching. The author of this post once tried meditating for 5 minutes before a workout (inspired by their habits) and felt more focused. Adding short goal-setting or mindfulness steps can boost results.
In summary, our own experience echoes these lessons. Trying a reduced version of their routines – eating an extra salad like Messi or doing Curry’s shooting drills – reinforces that small changes inspired by champions can improve everyday fitness. Remember: We don’t need 12,000 calories like Michael Phelps once did, but we can ensure enough balanced fuel for our activities. Athletes teach us to eat smart, train hard, and recover well.
People Also Ask
Who are the top 10 athletes in the world in 2025?
Top names include Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, Shohei Ohtani, Stephen Curry, LeBron James, Kylian Mbappé, Simone Biles, Tyson Fury, Erling Haaland, and Armand Duplantis. They’re ranked for performance, records, fame, and earnings.
Who is the best athlete in the world currently?
There’s no single best. Messi, Ohtani, Biles, and Duplantis top various lists for recent achievements and global impact.
Who is the highest-paid athlete in 2025?
Cristiano Ronaldo leads with $275M. Stephen Curry and Tyson Fury follow with $156M and $146M, respectively.
What are the world athletics rankings 2025?
Armand Duplantis leads in pole vault with 1625 points. Faith Kipyegon tops the women’s rankings. Rankings update monthly.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the Top 10 athletes in the world 2025 reflect the highest levels of dedication, discipline, and performance. Whether it’s Messi’s unmatched skill, Ohtani’s two-way dominance, or Biles’s Olympic brilliance, each athlete proves that success comes from consistent training, smart nutrition, and mental strength. Their routines aren’t just for pros—they’re powerful reminders that anyone can improve their health and performance by applying similar habits. Let their stories inspire your journey toward a stronger, more focused version of yourself.
