Hockey icon Gordie Howe (1928-), who held the previous record for most career points with 1,850, was surpassed by Wayne Gretzky, affectionately referred to as "The Great One," who also became the first player to win the Hart Trophy eight years in a row. Gretzky’s Personal Life The 26th of January 1961 saw the birth of Wayne Douglas Gretzky in Ontario, Canada, to parents Walter Gretzky and Phyllis Leone. His father was a "Bell Telephone Canada" employee. The five kids in the family were all hockey players when they were little. Wayne first held a hockey stick at his grandfather's house when he was two. He played with the teenagers in his neighborhood when he was six. He occasionally performed as well as players who were more than twice his age, according to his coach Dick Martin. Wayne excelled when he played with boys much older than him in his first junior season. He soon developed a gaming obsession and insisted on playing against the team's more experienced players. Wayne accomplished a remarkable record for a young lad his age when he scored 378 goals in his first junior season. As he entered his teenage years, his popularity began to spread beyond the region, and the Wayne wave began to sweep across Canada. His family moved him to Toronto when he was 14 years old so he could develop his skills and have access to better facilities. Wayne was selected third in the midget draught for the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds of the Ontario Major Junior Hockey League (OMJHL) in 1977. He made it to the major leagues because of his outstanding performance at the "World Junior Championship" in 1978.                                His Career At 17, Gretzky began playing hockey professionally for the Edmonton Oilers of the World Hockey Association (WHA). A year later, the WHA folded, but Wayne followed the Edmonton Oilers when they switched to the National Hockey League (NHL).  He won the NHL MVP award in his first season and went on to win it each of the following eight seasons. In terms of scoring, he was tied for first. Wayne didn't look back after that and helped the Oilers win four Stanley Cups. Wayne Gretzky holds many records. His main ones are listed below: Two hundred fifteen points are the most in a season. Ninety-two goals are the most in a season. One hundred sixty-three assists total within a season. The most playoff points are 47. He is the first player to have a season with more than 200 points. He repeated it four times. He recorded 894 goals, 1,963 assists, and 2,857 points in his NHL career. Wayne was not the classic excellent hockey player at 6 feet tall and 180 pounds. He was also thought to be a little slow. He wasn't widely regarded as being in any way a decent NHL player. But no athlete in the world played hockey like Wayne, who had an uncanny aptitude for it. It appeared as though he had eyes in the back of his head because of his ability to predict where players would be and make passes and adjustments accordingly.

Jim Thorpe was an American athlete widely regarded as the best in the world during the early 20th century. He played football and baseball professionally and earned Olympic gold. Thorpe’s Personal Life The specifics of his birthdate or location of birth have not been independently verified, and his childhood experiences are frequently questioned. His parents have a mixture of ancestries. His mother was Charlotte Vieux, and his father was a farmer named Hiram Thorpe. He was brought up following Indian traditions. Before being transferred to the Haskell Institute, an Indian residential school in Kansas, he attended the Sac and Fox Indian Agency School. After a fight with his father, he left home and fell into depression because his mother had died when he was still a child. He returned to his father when he was 16 and started his studies at the Carlisle Indian Industrial School. Due to his extraordinary physical prowess, he distinguished himself among his classmates during his school years. Glenn "Pop" Warner, a great football coach, recognized his talent and gave him coaching. Jim had yet another sorrow when his father passed away, leaving him an orphan.                                 His Career Thorpe obtained a contract with the New York Giants to play professional baseball and later wed Iva Miller, his college sweetheart. With the Giants, Cincinnati Reds, and Boston Braves throughout a six-year major league career, Thorpe batted just.252, though he produced a respectable.327 average in his final season. At the beginning of professional football, Thorpe had a far greater influence. He agreed to play for the Canton Bulldogs in 1915 for $250 per game, and he made his money back by bringing in sizable crowds and helping the team to league titles in 1916, '17, and '19.  The Bulldogs were one of the 14 teams that comprised the American Professional Football Association in 1920, which would later become the National Football League. Thorpe presided over the league for one season. Thorpe coached and participated in games for the Oorang Indians, an all-Native American team, from 1922 to 1923. The team's games included members performing "war dances" and other rituals to excite spectators. Walter Lingo, the proprietor of the Oorang Dog Kennels in LaRue, Ohio, sponsored the squad. Through 1928, Thorpe participated in NFL games with the Cleveland Indians, Rock Island Independents, New York Giants, and Chicago Cardinals. Thorpe was chosen as a founding member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1963, and in 1982, as a co-winner of the 1912 track events, his name was added back to the Olympic record books. He was chosen as the best athlete of the previous century in a poll sponsored by ABC Sports in 2000. He placed third in a poll by the Associated Press, demonstrating his continued prominence in American culture.

Wilt Chamberlain, a 7' 1" center who dominated professional basketball for more than 14 seasons starting in 1959, was one of the most outstanding individual athletes to ever thrive in a sport. Chamberlain, sometimes known as "Wilt the Stilt," is remembered for a legendary performance in 1962 in which he set a record by scoring 100 points in a single game, which no other player has come close to tying. Chamberlain’s Personal Life Wilt was born Wilton Norman Chamberlain on August 21, 1936, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in the United States. His parents were homemakers, William Chamberlain and Olivia Ruth Johnson. He never liked basketball as a kid and was more of a track and field athlete. But when he got older, he found that he liked basketball because it was a prominent sport in Philadelphia. He played basketball at "Overbrook High School," where he was a student. He was already taller, over 6 feet at that point. Thus he had an advantage over other players when he played basketball. His collegiate basketball career began in 1957. The next year, he guided the "Jayhawks" to the "NCAA" championship game. He left college in 1958 to pursue a career in basketball. However, he was prohibited from doing so because he needed to finish college to be eligible to play in the "NBA." He was paid $50,000 to play for the "Harlem Globetrotters," who signed him.                                 His Career To play basketball for the University of Kansas, Chamberlain relocated to Kansas in 1955. He scored 30 points on average there. He received two All-American honors. After his junior year, he decided to go pro, but due to NBA rules, he could not play in the league. Instead, he spent a year as a member of the Harlem Globetrotters. The Philadelphia Warriors selected him in the 1959 draught. In 1965, he was dealt to the Philadelphia 76ers; in 1968, he was transferred to the Los Angeles Lakers. Throughout his 14-year career, he dominated basketball and set numerous records. On March 2, 1962, he scored 100 points against the New York Knicks in one of his best games.  Never once in his entire career did he foul out. The expansion of the lane, the introduction of offensive goaltending, and modifications to the rules controlling inbounding the ball and shooting free throws were all brought about by his dominance of the game. In 1973, Chamberlain gave up playing basketball. He ventured into a variety of endeavors, such as coaching basketball, investing in stocks and real estate, playing professional volleyball, competing in marathons, writing his memoirs, opening a nightclub in Harlem, appearing in numerous commercials, and portraying a villainous warrior and Arnold Schwarzenegger's opposite in the movie Conan the Destroyer (1984). On October 12, 1999, he passed away from congestive heart failure in his Bel Air, California, home.

To sum up, there aren't many ways to sum up, someone who has won the World Cup twice, been named FIFA World Player of the Year three times, and scored the most goals in World Cup finals history. But "Il Fenomeno" was the closest thing that global football could come up with for Ronaldo Luis Nazário De Lima, better known by his stage name Ronaldo. He was incredible and will live on as a legend of the sport. Ronaldo’s Personal Life Former Brazilian footballer Ronaldo Luis Nazário Lima is better known by his stage name, Ronaldo. On September 18, 1976, he was born in Itagui, Brazil. In his early years of school, Ronaldo discovered his love of football. At 12, he quit school to focus on his soccer career. He became a member of the Ramos Indoor Soccer Club. In 1993, he made his professional football debut with Cruzeiro after joining the Sao Crustovao Football Club as a young youngster. His debut game was against Caldense Club. He went on to score five goals against Bahia, which propelled him to prominence.                                 His Career He began his career at Cruzeiro, where he made 14 appearances and scored 12 goals. He was a member of the Brazilian team that won the 1994 FIFA World Cup, but he didn't participate in the game. Ronaldo moved to Holland to play for PSV after the World Cup, where he scored 30 goals in just his first season. In 1997, "O Fenômeno" moved to Barcelona, where he made 37 appearances and scored 34 goals. While at Barcelona, Ronaldo displayed incredible skill by dribbling past opponents as if they weren't there and scoring goals at will. An epileptic seizure prevented Ronaldo from helping Brazil win the 1998 World Cup despite having four goals previously throughout the tournament. Ronaldo joined Inter after leaving Barcelona and stayed there until 2002 when he scored 49 goals. Ronaldo scored two goals in the World Cup final against Germany in 2002 to help his team win the tournament and exact revenge for the final they had lost four years earlier. Ronaldo moved to Madrid in 2002, where he helped the club win the 2003 Spanish Championship. In 127 games with Madrid, he totaled 83 goals.  Ronaldo set the record for most goals scored at a World Cup when he scored his 15th goal at the 2006 edition. Brazil fell to France 1-0 in that tournament's quarterfinal round. After a brief stint with AC Milan, his career concluded at Corinthians, where he won the Brazilian Cup. Ronaldo played his final farewell game with Brazil on June 7, 2011, for 15 minutes before leaving the field for a standing ovation. In 1996, 1997, and 2002, Ronaldo won the FIFA World Player of the Year award three times. He had tremendous ball control, weaving through defenders at a breakneck pace and scoring anytime he pleased. He continues to be among the best attackers ever.

One of the most contentious issues in professional sports still exists 25 years after Pete Rose accepted a lifetime suspension for betting on baseball. Rose’s Personal Life On April 14, 1941, Peter Edward Rose was born in Cincinnati, Ohio. He was raised in the adjacent Anderson Ferry, Ohio, as one of Harry and LaVerne Rose's four children. Early on, Rose was encouraged to participate in athletics by his father, who had formerly been a semi-professional football player. One rumor is that Harry Rose once went downtown to buy shoes for his daughter but returned with a set of boxing gloves for Pete. Rose played baseball with neighborhood pals for most of his childhood and eventually joined the community Little League team. He participated in baseball and football at Cincinnati's Western Hills High School, where he excelled most in the latter event. He was initially given the Geneva Red Legs, a Reds farm team in upstate New York, as part of his deal with the Reds.                                 His Career Buddy Bloebaum, who worked as a scout for the Reds, made the large club aware of the young athlete. After he graduated from high school in 1960, they decided to sign him. He participated in games with the Macon Peaches in 1962, the Tampa Tarpons in 1961, and the Geneva (New York) Redlegs in 1960. He started playing second base in the field and swinging the bat well at each stop. He accepted the Reds' invitation to spring training in 1963, made the club, and made his MLB debut on Opening Day. Rose had a 0 for 11 career debut. It didn't portend bad things to come. Even casual admirers know what Rose did in the following two decades. Rose received Rookie of the Year honors in his rookie season, batting.273 with 101 runs scored. Between 1963 and 1978, he was a member of the Reds teams that won the World Series in 1975 and 1976. From 1979 to 1983, he was a member of the Philadelphia Phillies, where he won a World Series in 1980. He completed his career at Cincinnati between 1984 and 1986 as a player-manager. Three times led the league in batting average (1968, 1969, 1973) Seven times led the league in hits (1965, 1968, 1970, 1972, 1973, 1976, 1981) A participant on 17 all-star teams 1973 national league MVP award winner Set records for your career in terms of hits (4,256), singles (3,215), games (3,562), at-bats (14,053), and plate appearances (14,053). (15,890) Despite his outstanding performance on the field, Rose is not eligible for employment by MLB or induction into the Hall of Fame since a baseball inquiry revealed that Rose had wagered on baseball, including 52 games involving his club. According to the article, he may wager up to $10,000 daily.

Ferdinand Lewis Alcindor, Jr., the sole child of Cora and Ferdinand Alcindor, was born in New York City and became the great athlete known as Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. As he was known, the young Lew Alcindor was a passionate sportsman. He developed swiftly, and during his time in school, he was the tallest student there. Abdul-Jabbar’s Personal Life Ferdinand Lewis Alcindor Jr., the ancestor of Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, was born in New York City on April 16, 1947. Alcindor was always the tallest child in his class. He was the only child of New York City policeman Ferdinand Lewis Alcindor Sr. and his wife, Cora. When he turned nine, Lew Alcindor, as he was known, was an astounding 5'8". By the time he entered eighth grade, he had gained another full foot and was capable of slam dunks. He got into the sport at a young age. Few could match Alcindor's high school career at Power Memorial Academy. He led his team to an incredible 71 straight victories and three straight city championships while setting New York City school records in scoring and rebounds. The team of Alcindor was awarded "The #1 High School Team of the Century" by the National Sports Writers in 2000.                                 His Career The most prolific scorer in the history of the NBA, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, won six of the sport's most illustrious championships, including five during 20 years while playing for the Los Angeles Lakers. His resume includes some of the most amazing accomplishments in league history.  Kareem won the NBA MVP award six times and the NBA Finals MVP award twice, in addition to being a part of six NBA championship teams. He is also a member of the 35th and 50th NBA Anniversary All-Time Teams, a two-time scoring champion, and a 19-time All-Star. And if that weren't enough, Kareem also has the honor of holding seven All-Star and eight playoff records. Another player has never matched Kareem Abdul-accomplishments Jabbar's success. In 1996, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar was ranked among the top 50 NBA players of all time. According to Julius Erving, Pat Riley, and Isiah Thomas, he is the best basketball player to play the game. According to ESPN, he is the second-best player in NBA history, the best player in college basketball history, and the best center of all time (only next to Michael Jordan). He received the Double Helix Medal in 2011 in recognition of his efforts to raise awareness about cancer research. The New York Institute of Technology also gave him an honorary degree. In 2012, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton chose him to represent the United States as a worldwide cultural ambassador. President Barack Obama awarded him the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2016. Working for the New York Knicks and the Los Angeles Lakers, Abdul-Jabbar has stayed within the sport he loves since he retired. He even worked as a coach for a year on the White Mountain Apache tribe in Arizona; he wrote about this experience in the book A Season on the Reservation, published in 2000.

Famous African American athlete Reggie White. He was well-known for his impressive performance in 15 seasons of National Football League play during his professional football career. He played collegiate football for the University of Tennessee. He received two awards for NFL Defensive Player of the Year. The greatest defensive end to ever play the position is Reggie White. We will acknowledge his greatness in this retrospective of his career. White’s Personal Life Tennessee's Chattanooga is where White was born. He attended Howard School of Academics and Technology during his senior year of high school when he was given the opportunity to play for the Tennessee Volunteers. White earned All-American accolades during his senior year at Howard High School, compiling 140 tackles and ten sacks. White, one of the state's best recruits, chose Tennessee University as his school.  He participated in professional football for both USFL and NFL teams. He was a Christian as well. He had two children, Jeremy and Jecolia, with the former Sara Copeland, with whom he was married. White was a defensive line rotational player as a rookie. He had a bigger impact in his second season, making 95 tackles and eight sacks, which was a team-high. The 1981 Garden State Bowl saw the Tennessee Volunteers defeat Wisconsin 28-21 to conclude their campaign. White's junior season, hampered by a persistent ankle injury, saw him record 47 tackles and seven sacks. Despite the loss (28-22), White was outstanding in the Peach Bowl with eight tackles, two sacks, and a forced fumble.                                 His Career the mark for the most career sacks, a game, or a season still belongs to Reggie White. He recorded 124 more sacks during his eight seasons with the Eagles than games played (121). With 68.5 sacks later, White became the Packers' all-time leader. He held the title of Minister of Defense and was a two-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year winner, as well as a 13-time Pro Bowler and 10-time first-team All-Pro. White was chosen for the NFL 1980s All-Decade Team, the NFL 1990s All-Decade Team, and the NFL 75th Anniversary All-Time Team. In 1996, White won the Super Bowl for the first time. On February 4, 2006, he was given a posthumous induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. As the team's captain and defensive guru, Reggie White was regarded. He is regarded as having a strong commitment to the sport. To Sports Illustrated, he said: "You are instructed to hit the ground on a double team in high school and college. You're expected to do it here. Every play, I am double-teamed, so I am used to it. Sacks are fantastic because they help you get selected for the Pro Bowl. However, I've always believed that a great defensive lineman must be equally adept at playing the run and the pass. The "guys of the game" take great satisfaction in being complete players."

The contribution Robinson made to Major League Baseball will always be cherished. Every major league team observes Jackie Robinson Day on April 15 each year to commemorate the day he broke the color barrier in baseball by becoming the first African-American player to play in either the American or National leagues in the 20th century. Robinson’s Personal Life On January 31, 1919, Jack Roosevelt Robinson was born in Cairo, Georgia. The youngest of five kids, he was young. Soon after Jackie was born, his father abandoned the family, and Jackie never saw him again. He was reared by his mother, Millie, and his three brothers and one sister. After Jackie was born, the family relocated to Pasadena, California, around a year later. Jackie watched his elder siblings succeed in sports there as he grew up. At the 1936 Olympics, his brother Mack, a track standout, took home a silver medal in the 200-meter dash. Jackie attended UCLA for college, where he excelled in basketball, football, baseball, and track. He was the first UCLA athlete to receive varsity letters in all four sports. In the long jump, he was the NCAA champion as well. Robinson played professional football after graduating from college, but World War II's outbreak quickly ended his career. He was enlisted in the military. Jackie met renowned boxing champion Joe Lewis, at basic training, and they grew close. Robinson attended officer training school with the assistance of Joe. Jackie was deployed to Fort Hood, Texas, to join the 761st Tank Battalion after completing his officer training. Because they were not permitted to serve alongside white soldiers, this battalion was exclusively made up of African-American soldiers.                                 His Career Early in 1945, the Kansas City Monarchs of the Negro League signed Jackie Robinson, who had a successful season, hitting.387. Branch Rickey, an executive for the Brooklyn Dodgers, was scouting the Negro Leagues at the time to find players who had not only the talent but also the temperament to handle the pressures of integrating Major League Baseball. In August 1945, Rickey interviewed several baseball players before selecting Robinson to join the Royals, a Dodgers feeder team in Montreal. His 1947 Dodgers debut attracted much attention, but not all favorable. Robinson soon established himself as a player, although opponents' teams and supporters objected to his skin tone. Robinson would go on to hit.311 throughout a 10-year career, despite being signed by the Dodgers at the comparatively advanced age of 28. In 1949, when he led the National League in batting with a.342 average, most stolen bases (37), and a career-high 124 RBI, he earned the First and Most Valuable Player Award for the first time ever given to a player of color. From 1949 to 1954, Robinson was an All-Star each year. In 1955, he guided Brooklyn to a World Series victory over the New York Yankees. Robinson worked as a sportscaster and a business executive at Chock full o'Nuts and was involved in the NAACP and other civil rights organizations after leaving the Dodgers.

This day in 1936 marked the birth of Jim Brown. He was a Black football player, actor, and civil rights activist (at the time of writing). Brown’s Personal Life Georgia's St. Simon's Island is where Jim Brown was born in 1936. Swinton Brown, his father, was a professional boxer, while his mother was a housewife. James Nathaniel Brown is Jim Brown's real name. Many difficulties marked his early years. Brown's father abandoned them when the infant was barely two weeks old. Brown and his mother were going through a difficult period. Theresa decided to become a maid at this point to make a livelihood. She left Brown in his great-grandmother's care to ensure he was secure. When his mother was more at ease eight years later, she brought Jim Brown to live with her in Manhasset, New York. She was a maid here, employed in this location. Brown eventually enrolled at Manhasset High School. He had good luck as he flourished throughout his football career. In his senior year, he received acclaim for his performance. He had a 14.9-yard per-carry average as a running back. He only needed this to get to Syracuse University.                                His Career The Cleveland Browns took Brown in the sixth round of the 1957 National Football League draught. When it came to adjusting to the new competition, Brown didn't waste any time, leading the league with 942 rushing yards and winning Rookie of the Year accolades. For the following seven seasons, Brown set the bar for all running backs in the NFL. Brown bulldozed his way past the opposition at a period when defenses were designed to halt the ground game, recording incredible season totals of 1,527 yards in 1958, 1,329 yards in 1959, 1,257 yards in 1960, 1,408 yards in 1961, 1,863 yards in 1963, 1,446 yards in 1964, and 1,544 yards in 1965. In 1962, Brown's lone "down" year, he only carried for 996 yards. He failed to lead the league in yards only once during his remarkable but limited football career. Brown led Cleveland to the 1964 NFL championship, which the team won by a score of 27-0 over Baltimore. Brown rushed for 114 yards throughout the contest. However, Brown recognized a life for himself outside of football and shocked the sports world by announcing his retirement before the 1966 season. In 1971, he was admitted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Brown, who was only 30 years old when he retired from football, intended to use his post-football life to concentrate on a film career. Some questioned whether Brown would be able to maintain his promise to give up football for good, but he did it and was featured in more than 30 movies, including The Dirty Dozen (1967) and 100 Rifles (1969). In his later roles, he played a football coach in the films Any Given Sunday (1999) and Mars Attacks! (1996).

Serena Williams, who is regarded as the greatest female tennis player of all time and possibly the greatest athlete of all time, has transformed women's tennis since the 1990s. Williams, who holds 23 Grand Slam titles, developed on the open courts in Compton, California, breaking records and dominating the sport. Williams’s Personal Life Richard Williams and Oracene Price welcomed Serena Williams into the world on September 26, 1981, in Saginaw, Michigan. The youngest of five sisters, she was also the youngest. She had one full sister, Venus Williams, and three half-sisters, Yetunde, Lynda, and Isha Price, on her mother's side. Williams, a gifted youngster, and her sister Venus Williams began playing tennis at four. They soon enrolled in Rick Macci's tennis academy, where he helped them hone their natural talent and skills. She had a 46-3 record on the United States Tennis Association Junior Tour by 1991 and was ranked number one in the 10-and-under age group. The household shifted to Florida. Her father dissuaded the girls from playing tennis, fearing that the rigorous schedule would cause them to tire too rapidly.                                 Her Career Serena quickly moved up to the top 100 after beginning the Women's Tennis Association rating below 300th place. Serena began creating her legacy in 1998 by taking home the mixed doubles crowns at Wimbledon and the US Open. She had already risen to No. 20 in the WTA Ranking at the year's conclusion. Serena defied expectations by winning her first Grand Slam in the 1999 US Open, defying expectations that Venus would be the first sister to claim a Grand Slam singles victory. Serena rose to the fourth position in the global rankings as a result of becoming the second African-American woman to win a Grand Slam. A few months after winning Wimbledon, Venus and Serena Williams joined again to capture the women's doubles gold medal at the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games. By winning the Australian Open at the beginning of 2001, Serena and Venus became the fifth double pair to win every Grand Slam trophy. Later that year, the sisters squared off in the US Open final, with Venus coming out on top. The French Open, Wimbledon, and US Open were all victories for Serena in 2002, and she defeated Venus in each of those finals to reclaim the top spot in the global rankings. Serena had a year hampered by injuries in 2006 after winning her second Australian Open in 2005. She then fell out of the top 10 in the WTA rankings. But in 2007, the tennis pro stunned everyone by defeating Maria Sharapova and capturing her third Australian Open women's singles title. Serena finished the year in seventh place after returning to the top 10. Serena had another great return in 2012 and wasn't on the tennis court for long before she was back to full power. Williams won a gold medal in the singles competition at the 2012 London Olympics to become the second woman, after Steffi Graf, to complete a career Golden Slam. She had just won both the singles and doubles match at Wimbledon. Serena later won her 15th Grand Slam singles championship at the US Open, but she needed to be more content.

One of the most well-known French football players of all time, Zinedine Zidane, is widely recognized as a master of the game's principles and tactics.  He is renowned for his superior ball handling and control abilities, magic ball touch, laser-focused vision, and outstanding leadership qualities. Players during his years in soccer would only be able to match how he handled and received the ball. Zidane’s Personal Life Smaal and Malika gave birth to Zinedine Zidane on June 23, 1972, in Marseille, France. His older siblings are number four. His family lived in the La Castellane neighborhood of northern Marseille and was of Algerian Kabyle Berber heritage. His mother was a housewife, while his father worked as a warehouseman. The Zidane family was a respected family who led a relatively comfortable life in contrast to other residents of the area who were unemployed and engaged in high crime. At the infant age of five, young Zidane was exposed to football. He participated in the game at Place Tartane, the complex's central square, with the kids from the neighborhood. Zidane was influenced early in his career by Olympique Marseille players he looked up to, including Blaz Sliskovic, Enzo Francescoli, and Jean-Pierre Papin.                                 His Career At 17, Zidane made his professional debut for Cannes and scored a goal. In the years that followed, the attacking midfielder gained notoriety for his superb all-around play after moving to Bordeaux in 1992. Zidane was prone to the occasional rage, but when he had the ball in his hands, he was the picture of composure, appearing to know when to get past the defense, find a teammate with a precise pass, or rip a shot at the goal. In 1996, Zidane moved to Juventus F.C. in Italy's illustrious Series A-League. Zidane demonstrated he was up to the task by leading Juventus to an Italian Super Cup, a UEFA Super Cup, an Intercontinental Cup, and two Series A titles over the following two seasons. The move brought a dramatic increase in exposure and expectations. When France hosted the 1998 World Cup, Zidane was at the top of his game. He led Les Bleus' ascent through the competition with his elegant passing and dribbling. He then scored twice as France defeated Brazil in the final, 3-0, to become a hero for his country. The French team's run to international success culminated with a 2-1 victory over Italy for the European Championship two years later, and Zidane was once more the driving force behind it. Zidane joined the Spanish club Real Madrid in 2001 for a then-record-breaking transfer fee of around $66 million. The investment quickly paid off as the French newcomer assisted Real Madrid in capturing La Liga and the coveted UEFA Champions League trophy in his debut season. After saying he would retire after the 2006 World Cup in Germany, it seemed Zidane's career was headed for a fairytale conclusion when France defeated Italy in the championship game. Instead, it ended when he rammed his head into opponent Marco Materazzi's chest in response to the Italian player's remarks to him during extra time.

A player who can legitimately be referred to as a superstar emerges roughly once every generation. A player like this was Larry Bird. Bird’s Personal Life On December 7, 1956, Bird was born in West Baden Springs, Indiana. He was reared in French Lick, a nearby community, where he quickly became a basketball prodigy. By the time he graduated in 1974 from Springs Valley High School in French Lick, Bird had played an important role on the team and established himself as its all-time top scorer. Bird received an athletic scholarship to Indiana University in recognition of his basketball prowess, where he would play for famed coach Bob Knight. The quick-drawing forward withdrew from school due to his concerns about the vastness of the Hoosier campus and enrolled at Indiana State the next year.                                 His Career Because of Larry's outstanding performances while representing his school, Indiana University became interested in him. It gave him a scholarship and a chance to play for their team while being coached by Bob Knight, the best coach at the time. The squad made their first NCAA tournament berth under his direction. The competition significantly influenced Larry's career. Despite losing the championship, Larry's outstanding performance earned him player of the year honors. Larry's big break came in 1978 when he was selected to play with the "Boston Celtics." Larry chose to play for Indiana State's final season despite declining the offer. He kept on playing for the "Sycamores," helping them to the NCAA championship game. In addition to being chosen to the All-Star Squad and winning Rookie of the Year, Larry helped the team reach new heights. He helped the squad advance by helping them win 32 games overall while averaging 21.3 points, 10.4 rebounds, 4.5 assists, and 1.7 steals per game. After several losses, the squad eventually prevailed, defeating the "Houston Rockets" in the title game. In 1982, Larry finished second for Most Valuable Player with a 19-point performance, winning the All-Star Game MVP Award. Larry had impressive statistics that year but could not get to the NBA finals. He missed quite a bit of time playing because of a heel ailment. Despite making a comeback in 1989, his health failed him once more. Larry participated in the 1992 Barcelona Olympics for the US basketball team and brought home a gold medal. The retirement of Larry was announced on August 18, 1992. One of the all-time best basketball players is considered to be Bird. He was selected as one of the NBA's Top 50 players in 1996 and inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 1998, highlighting his significance to the sport's history. Only five other basketball players were ranked higher than him on ESPN SportsCentury's Top 50 athletes of the 20th century in 1999.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic, a Swede who plays for AC Milan, is 41 years old and is still producing at a high level. Zlatan, the highest goal scorer for the Swedish national team with 62 goals, is a realistic goal striker. Ibrahimović’s Personal Life Sefik Ibrahimovic and Jurka Gravic, two Muslim Bosnian immigrants, welcomed Zlatan Ibrahimovic into the world on October 3, 1981, in Malmo, Sweden. The family lacked essentials and lived in abject poverty. Even worse, Zlatan's parents split up when he was only two years old. Nevertheless, the family could make enough money to give Zlatan a good upbringing while he was growing up. Zlatan began playing football when he received a set of football boots for his birthday at 6. That was in the late 1980s, and as Zlatan grew older, he continued to develop physically and mentally to play for his country's team in the future. He was a bully at school and engaged in thefts, which he subsequently admitted to and claimed he committed because he was fascinated with bicycles and would steal them anytime he had the opportunity. Zlatan began playing for Malmo BI and FBK Balkan as a youngster. He began participating in the local club Malmo FF games as a teenager. Despite his skill at the sport, he could not support himself and decided to give it up at age 15 to work at the docks. His boss pushed him to keep going, and the rest is history.                                 His Career Ibrahimovic made his professional debut for Malmö F.F. in 1999, and the following year, he assisted the team in making a move up to the top flight. The 6'5" attacker then joined the illustrious Dutch club AFC Ajax where he refined his formidable skills as a member of two championship-winning squads but also earned a reputation as a volatile player. Ibrahimovic joined Juventus F.C. after spending four years at Ajax and helped the Italian team win two Serie A titles. Ibrahimovic forced a transfer to A.C. Milan before Juventus was stripped of those titles after club management was accused of rigging games in the infamous Calciopoli incident. The tall striker enjoyed more success, winning three straight Serie A championships and his first league-scoring crown in 2009. Ibrahimovic, acquired by F.C. Barcelona in a trade involving Samuel Eto'o, shone for a talented team that won the Super Cup and the league. Still, he fell out with manager Pep Guardiola and spent the next season on loan at AC Milan. The seasoned striker showed he still had more to give by winning his third scoring title with a career-high 30 goals after joining Paris Saint-Germain in 2012 and helping the team win its first Ligue 1 championship in 19 years. Ibrahimovic joined Manchester United in 2016, and in 2017 he assisted the English team in winning the UEFA Europa League Final. The club announced in March 2018 that it had ended the senior player's contract, enabling him to move forward with his intention to sign with the L.A. Galaxy in the United States.  Ibrahimovic responded by posting the following on Instagram: "After two incredible seasons with Manchester United, it is time to move on because even the best things come to an end. Thank you to everyone who shared this chapter of my history with me, including the club, the supporters, the players, the coach, and the staff."

On Earth, there is no scarcity of murderers. However, the title of "baddest man on the globe" belonged to only one person. That person is "Iron" Mike Tyson, who in the ring more than lived up to his nickname. Tyson’s Personal Life In Brooklyn, New York, on June 30, 1966, Michael Gerard "Mike" Tyson was born. Although Percell Tyson was named as his father on his birth certificate, Mike believes Jimmy Kirkpatrick to be his birth father since, at the time of his birth, Kirkpatrick was residing with his mother, Lorna Smith Tyson. Soon after, Kirkpatrick left behind Mike, his mother, brother, and sister. Living in high-crime neighborhoods early in his life exposed Mike Tyson to a criminal element. He engaged in little thefts and brawls. He frequently got into street fights, typically sparked by his high voice and lisp. He had been taken into custody more than 30 times by the time he was 13 years old. He was transferred to a juvenile correctional facility in Johnstown, New York, where he started honing his boxing techniques.                                 His Career In Albany, New York, on March 6, 1985, Tyson faced Hector Mercedes in his first-ever professional match. The 18-year-old eliminated Mercedes in the first round. Tyson's opponents were frequently wary of striking him due to his strength, quick fists, and impressive defensive skills. As a result, Tyson developed the supernatural ability to knock out his opponents in just one round, earning him the moniker "Iron Mike." Although Tyson had a wonderful year, it wasn't without tragedy: His trainer and adopted father, Cus D'Amato, died of pneumonia on November 4, 1985. Kevin Rooney replaced D'Amato, and less than two weeks later, Tyson kept moving up the heavyweight rankings. In Houston, Texas, he scored his thirteenth knockout, dedicating the victory to the guy who had helped him become a pro. Those close to Tyson claim that he never recovered from D'Amato's death and blame this on the loss of the guy who had once grounded and supported him for the boxer's subsequent actions. Tyson has a 22-0 record by 1986, with 21 of those victories coming via knockout. Tyson ultimately achieved his objective on November 22, 1986, when he was handed his first title match for the World Boxing Council heavyweight championship against Trevor Berbick.  In the second round, Tyson was knocked out to claim the title. He eclipsed Floyd Patterson's previous record to become the youngest heavyweight champion in history at 20 years and four months. The success Tyson had in the ring didn't end there. On March 7, 1987, he faced James Smith to defend his title, giving him the World Boxing Association title to add to his triumphs. When he defeated Tony Tucker for the IBF title on August 1, he became the first heavyweight to hold all three major boxing titles. On February 25, 1989, Tyson entered the ring again to face British boxer Frank Bruno to defend his heavyweight championship. Later, in the fifth round, Tyson defeated Bruno via knockout. On July 21, 1989, Tyson successfully defended his title by KO'ing Carl "The Truth" Williams.

No soccer fan can ignore the name Pele, who is often regarded as the greatest player the sport has ever produced. Pele did not suddenly inherit the globe; rather, he had to earn his way through blood, sweat, and tears to the top ranks of athletes. Pelé’s Personal Life The first child of Joo Ramos and Dona Celeste, Pelé was born Edson Arantes do Nascimento on October 23, 1940, in Três Coraçes, Brazil. Pelé, who goes by the moniker "Dico," was born in Bauru and received his name from Thomas Edison. Pelé grew raised in poverty, while Joo Ramos, better known as "Dondinho," struggled to make a living as a soccer player. Nevertheless, by kicking a rolled-up sock filled with rags around the streets of Bauru, he discovered a basic ability for soccer. The origin of the moniker "Pelé" is unknown, but he remembered hating it when his friends initially nicknamed him that. Pele had three marriages and many kids; some were born outside of marriage. The authoritarian Brazilian government launched an investigation into him in 1970 due to suspicions that he had sympathies for left-wing political detainees. Pele was under investigation for distributing pamphlets requesting the liberation of political prisoners. He stayed out of politics following the probe. Teenage Pelé joined a youth team managed by former Brazilian national soccer player Waldemar de Brito. When Pelé was 15 years old, De Brito persuaded his family to allow him to leave home and try out for the Santos professional soccer club.                                 His Career A little over a year later, Pelé was the league's leading scorer. The national team was taken aback by his performance at the young age of 17. He wouldn't let you down. He scored significant goals in both the semifinal and championship games of the 1958 World Cup to help Brazil win it on his first outing in the international arena.  By this time, he had established himself as a superhero in Brazil and was well-known worldwide. The Brazilian government recognized him as a "national treasure," which improved his standing there and prohibited him from taking advantage of opportunities nationwide. Pele eventually scored more than 1,000 goals in games for pay. On November 19, 1969, at Vasco da Gama in Rio de Janeiro's Maracana stadium, he scored his 1000th goal. It led to celebrations throughout the world. He has one of the best strike rates in games against other countries. He scored 77 goals in 92 international games. Pele had a goal-scoring ratio of 0.94 overall, scoring 1,283 goals in 1,366 games. Pele made his professional debut for Santos at 16 in the domestic league. Until the 1972–73 season, he was a player for Santos in the Brazilian league. The wealthy US league was where Pele completed his career. After signing in 1975, he participated in three seasons for the New York Cosmos. In 1977, the year of his retirement, he guided the New York Cosmos to the US championship.

Muhammad Ali, was a heavyweight boxing champion, had a phenomenal 56-win record. He was well known for publicly opposing the Vietnam War in a valiant manner. Ali’s Personal Life Ali was born in Louisville, Kentucky, on January 17, 1942. His full name at birth was Cassius Marcellus Clay Jr. Young Clay showed early on that he had no fear of any fight, whether it took place inside or outside of the ring. When he was a child, he had to deal with racial prejudice and discrimination in the divided South. A strange turn of events led Clay to discover his boxing aptitude at 12. Clay informed policeman Joe Martin that he wanted to beat up the bike thief after they took his bike. Martin reportedly warned him at the time, "Well, you better learn how to fight before you start challenging others." Martin served as a police officer and a local gym's boxing instructor. Clay began training with Martin to learn how to spar, and his boxing career soon followed. In 1954, he competed in his first amateur match and prevailed via split decision. In 1956, Clay went on to win the novice light heavyweight Golden Gloves competition. Three years later, he won the Amateur Athletic Union's national light heavyweight championship as well as the National Golden Gloves Tournament of Champions                               . His Career After winning his 19 fights, including 15 knockouts, Clay earned his first title opportunity on February 25, 1964, against then-reigning heavyweight champion Sonny Liston (1932-1970). The 22-year-old Clay continuously teased Liston before the fight, pledging to "float like a butterfly, sting like a bee," and forecasting a knockout even though he was a 7-1 underdog when he arrived in Miami Beach, Florida.  At the beginning of the seventh round, when Liston didn't answer the bell, Clay was declared the world's heavyweight champion. The new champion exclaimed, "I am the greatest!" in the ring after the match. Clay, spotted in Miami with controversial Nation of Islam member Malcolm X (1925–1955), confirmed the rumors of his conversion to Islam at a news conference the following morning. Elijah Muhammad, the founder of the Nation of Islam (1897–1975), gave Clay the name Muhammad Ali on March 6, 1964. On May 25, 1965, Ali defeated Liston in the first round of their rematch to clinch the heavyweight championship, and he went on to successfully defend it eight more times. Ali then showed up on April 28, 1967, for his scheduled induction into the U.S. Armed Forces despite the ongoing Vietnam War. He objected to serving, citing his religious convictions. As soon as they took Ali into custody, the New York State Athletic Commission canceled his heavyweight title and suspended his boxing license. Ali was found guilty of draught evasion and given a maximum punishment of five years in prison and a $10,000 fine, but he was allowed to remain free while the case was being appealed. Ali's popularity fell due to what many believed to be his draught evasion. Ali, suspended from boxing for three years, protested the Vietnam War on college campuses. Support for Ali grew as public opinion toward the war shifted. His boxing license was restored by the New York State Supreme Court in 1970, and his conviction was unanimously overturned by the United States Supreme Court the following year.

Undoubtedly, Michael Phelps is the best Olympian ever to compete. According to some, Usain Bolt, Carl Lewis, and Nadia Comaneci have a claim. But when it comes to the sheer quantity of medals won, Michael Phelps is the undisputed champion. Even though Phelps competes in a sport where very talented athletes can win gold medals over various distances and strokes, his accomplishments far exceed those of any other competitor. Phelps has a total of 28 medals; his 23 gold medals are more than double the amount of his closest competitors, and other swimmers haven't racked up absurdly high totals either. No other swimmer in the world has won more than six gold medals except Spitz, Matt Biondi (USA, eight golds), and Jenny Thompson (USA, eight golds). Phelps’s Personal Life On June 30, 1985, Michael Fred Phelps was born in Baltimore, Maryland. His two older sisters, Whitney and Hilary, are both swimmers. As a child, Michael struggled with ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder). To help him burn off some energy, his parents encouraged him to take up swimming. And his sisters already enjoyed swimming. Michael excelled at swimming right away and, by the age of 10, was setting records. Because of his talent, he was only 15 when he earned a spot in the 2000 Olympics. Michael was a student at Michigan University. He declined to swim for them because Speedo had already given him a professional endorsement.                                 His Career Tom Malchow and Tom Dolan's performances at the Summer Olympics of 1996 significantly impacted Phelps. After that, Phelps became resolved to dominate the swimming world and began studying tactics under coach "Bob Bowman." He beat his record in 2001 at the World Championships, finishing in 1:54:58, earning his first international medal. Phelps broke five world records while he was just 17 years old, signaling a bright future for swimming. The swimmer announced his retirement from competition in 2012, although he promised to return. Phelps delivered on his promise with a standout performance in the 2016 Olympic Games, solidifying his place on five Olympic teams (becoming the first American to receive the honor) and winning one silver and five gold medals at the quadrennial competition. Phelps' victory made him the oldest individual gold medallist and the first swimmer to win four straight golds in the same competition. The swimming records of Mark Spitz, a world-class swimmer, were exceeded by Phelps, who currently holds swimming records in 12 age categories and has won 28 Olympic medals, the most ever won at an Olympics. The youngster, initially terrified of swimming in the water during his first swimming lessons, became an expert in the backstroke technique, winning many awards and breaking multiple records. This young guy has demonstrated through his accomplishments that only tenacity can take one to their destiny.

George Herman Ruth eclipsed the game, still regarded as baseball's pinnacle. He became one of the most well-known Americans ever living thanks to his career, both on and off the field. Ruth’s Personal Life On February 6, 1895, George Herman Ruth, Jr. was born in Baltimore, Maryland. He was raised in Pigtown, a rough area for working-class people, where his father operated a saloon. George's parents sent him to St. Mary's Industrial School for Boys when he was young because he was getting into so much trouble. George acquired a strong work ethic at the reform school. He was taught trades like carpentry and shirt-making. Brother Matthias, one of the school's monks, encouraged George to take baseball. George had natural talent. George improved greatly as a pitcher, batter, and fielder with the assistance of Brother Matthias. The monks persuaded the owner of the Baltimore Orioles to come to see George play baseball when he developed such skill. At 19, George signed his first professional baseball deal after impressing the owner. Since George was so young, the seasoned Orioles players began referring to him as "Babe," and the moniker stuck.                                 His Career When George Ruth was 19, minor league recruiter Jack Dunn noticed him. Jack hired George for $600 to throw for the Baltimore Orioles because he liked how he did it. George was overjoyed to receive payment for playing the game he adored. Numerous rumors surround George Ruth's origin of the moniker "Babe." The most well-known is that George Ruth was one of Dunn's "babes," which was subsequently abbreviated to "Babe," when he showed up for practice because Dunn frequently brought in new players. Although Jack Dunn was successful in locating talented baseball players, he was also incurring losses. On July 10, 1914, Dunn sold Ruth to the Boston Red Sox after just five months with the Orioles. Ruth didn't get to play much in the beginning, despite being in the major leagues today. Ruth was even assigned to the lower league Grays for a few months to play. During her first season in Boston, Ruth met and fell in love with the young waitress Helen Woodford, who worked at a nearby coffee shop. In October 1914, the two got hitched. Ruth returned to the Red Sox in 1915 and started pitching. Ruth's pitching improved over the following few seasons, going from excellent to exceptional. Ruth threw his 29th shutout inning in a World Series in 1918. For 43 years, that record was held. Ruth's insistence on spending more time hitting and less time pitching in 1919 caused a change in the status quo. Ruth hit 29 home runs in the campaign, breaking the previous record. When it was revealed in 1920 that the New York Yankees had acquired Ruth for a stunning $125,000, many people were shocked (more than twice the amount ever paid for a player). Ruth was a member of the 1927 squad, widely regarded as the greatest baseball squad ever. He set a record of 60 home runs in a season that year, which remained for 34 years.

The son of Delores and James Jordan, Michael Jeffrey Jordan, is from Brooklyn, New York. As a young child, his family decided to relocate to Wilmington, North Carolina. The fourth of five kids, Jordan. While his mother worked at a bank, his father was employed at an electric plant.  Initially, baseball was his sport of choice, but after spending a lot of time on the basketball court, he developed a new perspective. When they played one-on-one, Larry, his elder and taller brother, consistently defeated him. Jordan’s Personal Life Brooklyn, New York, was the place of Michael Jeffrey Jordan's birth on February 17, 1963. Jordan, raised in Wilmington, North Carolina, acquired a competitive edge from a young age. In every game he played, he wanted to prevail. Jordan had a secure home environment as a child. Delores, his mother, was a bank teller before becoming a published author. James, his father, was a General Electric maintenance worker who later became a manager. James Jr., Larry, Deloris, Roslyn, and Jordan were Jordan's four siblings. James, Jordan's father, created a basketball court in their backyard and introduced his son to baseball. James was killed in the summer of 1993 while traveling from Charlotte to Wilmington, North Carolina when two teens shot him in his car during what appeared to be a heist. Before his remains were discovered in a swamp in McColl, South Carolina, he was reported missing for 11 days. After being tried for the crime, the teenagers were found guilty and given life terms for first-degree murder.                                His Career   Jordan joined Dean Smith's team-centered system, and his potential began to move in the right direction. He earned 13.4 points per game on average while shooting 53.4% from the field, earning him the title of ACC (Atlantic Coast Conference) Freshman of the Year. The 1982 NCAA Championship, which the North Carolina Tar Heels won with his help, marked a significant turning point in Jordan's career. He was then chosen by the Chicago Bulls in the third round of the NBA Draft to play for them in the 1984 campaign. Jordan displayed moments of brilliance and rose to the status of the pin-up boy during the NBA's 1984 season. This incredibly gifted shooter and passer displayed his ball-handling prowess by slamming down free throws with respectable averages. Because of his large fan base, some of his teammates began to feel a twinge of envy, which resulted in a so-called "freeze-out" on Jordan when players refused to give him a pass during the game. But what set Jordan apart from others was his considerate and impartial stance toward all the problems at the time. Jordan suffered a major leg injury after his season victory, which kept him out of 64 games. On January 13, 1999, Jordan said goodbye to the basketball court for the second time during his incredible playing career. However, in 2000, Jordan made a triumphant comeback to the NBA as the owner and president of the basketball operations of the Washington Wizards.  Jordan was a member of the all-star team that included Magic Johnson, Larry Bird, and David Robinson. With enthusiasm and swagger, he helped the national team win a gold medal at the Summer Olympics in 1984 and 1992. Jordan retired from playing basketball but kept up his athletic pursuits.  He started riding motorcycles, marketing his clothing company, and participating in celebrity charity golf events. He owns the Michael Jordan Motorsports professional motorcycle road racing team.

Maria Yuryevna Sharapova is a professional tennis player from Russia who is ranked third in the world by the Women's Tennis Association (WTA). Sharapova became world No. 1 for the first time on August 22, 2005, when she was 18 years old, and she held the position for four weeks, from June 11, 2012, to July 8, 2012. Sharapova’s Personal Life Maria Sharapova was an athlete born on April 19, 1987, in Nyagan, Russia, to Yuri and Yelena. She and her father moved from Russia to the United States of America in 1994 to attend the Nick Bollettieri Tennis Academy in Florida. Her mother was forced to return to Russia because she did not obtain a visa and only joined them after two years. Maria Sharapova was not admitted to the Nick Bollettieri Tennis Academy immediately because she was too young. She began her tennis training at the Rick Macci Tennis Academy before signing a contract with the International Management Group (IMG), a global sports and talent management organization based in New York.                                 Her Career Maria Sharapova, then seventeen, became the first Russian player to win Wimbledon, the prestigious tennis tournament held each summer in London, England. Wimbledon is one of tennis' four Grand Slam tournaments, along with the US Open, French Open, and Australian Open, and winners of these competitions have defeated the best players in the world. Sharapova, who had spent much of her life in Florida at a renowned tennis academy, was the third youngest Wimbledon champion in history, with a $1 million prize purse for her women's singles title. She was then signed to several product endorsement deals. By the summer of 2005, she had been named the highest-paid female athlete in the world by Forbes magazine's Celebrity 100 list. Maria Sharapova broke into the top ten for the first time in 2004. Maria Sharapova won her first-ever grand slam singles title at Wimbledon in 2004. Maria Sharapova defeated Serena Williams in the 2004 WTA Tour Championships finals. Maria Sharapova became the first Russian woman to hold the world's No. 1 ranking on August 22, 2005. With her French Open victory in 2012, Maria Sharapova became only the tenth woman to complete a Career Grand Slam. At the 2012 French Open, Maria Sharapova won her first grand slam singles title since 2008 and her fourth overall, becoming the sixth woman in open history to complete a Career Grand Slam in singles. She has five Grand Slam titles and 35 singles titles to her name. Maria Sharapova was the first torchbearer in Russia's 2014 Winter Olympics lighting ceremony. Because of her popularity and good looks, she has endorsed various brands aside from sports. Maria Sharapova has also expressed her support for the United Nations Development Programme. She received the ESPY award for being the best tennis player.   Maria Sharapova was named WTA Humanitarian of the Year in 2010, as well as WTA Most Fashionable Player (on and off the court) and WTA Fan Favorite Singles Player. She has been a brand ambassador for several well-known companies, including Motorola, Tiffany, Land Rover, Canon, Tropicana, Gatorade, Nike, Porsche, and Tag Heuer.

Kobe Bryant grew up in Italy and entered the NBA straight out of high school. Bryant was a dominant scorer for the Los Angeles Lakers, winning five NBA championships and the MVP Award in 2008. Despite injuries in his later seasons, In December 2014, he passed Michael Jordan for third place on the NBA's all-time scoring list, and he retired in 2016 after scoring 60 points in his final game.  Dear basketball won an Academy Award for Best Animated Short Film in 2018. On January 26, 2020, Bryant, his 13-year-old daughter Gigi, and seven others were killed in a helicopter crash. Bryant’s Personal Life Joe Bryant and Pamela Cox Bryant gave birth to him on August 23, 1978, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Shaya and Sharia are his two older sisters. He grew up playing both basketball and football and was a fan of the Los Angeles Lakers and the AC Milan football team. His family relocated to Rieti, Italy, when he was six. His family relocated to Philadelphia in 1991, and Kobe enrolled at 'Lower Merion High School.' The basketball legend collaborated with the non-profit After-School All-Stars as part of the Kobe & Vanessa Bryant Family Foundation. He also ran the Kobe Basketball Academy, an annual summer camp. After 53 years, his basketball participation helped 'Lower Merion High School win a state championship.                                 His Career Bryant was selected as a starter for the 1998 All-Star Game in his second season with the Lakers, making him the NBA's youngest All-Star at 19. The shooting guard then won three consecutive NBA championships with superstar center Shaquille O'Neal, and he was named first-team all-NBA from 2002 to 2004. He also signed multi-year sponsorship deals with Adidas, Sprite, and other major brands. Even though the Lakers struggled after O'Neal left in 2004, Bryant excelled. He set an NBA record with 81 points against the Toronto Raptors in January 2006, the second-highest single-game total in NBA history, and led the league in scoring the following year and the year after. Bryant was named Most Valuable Player in 2008, and he led his team to the NBA Finals, where the Boston Celtics defeated them. The Lakers won the NBA Finals in 2009, defeating the Orlando Magic. Soon after, Bryant attended a memorial service for friend and music legend Michael Jackson. The Lakers won their second straight championship the following year, defeating the Celtics. Bryant was a member of the United States Olympic teams in 2008 and 2012, winning gold medals with teammates Kevin Durant, LeBron James, and Carmelo Anthony, among others.   Bryant put in a lot of effort to get back on the court after tearing his Achilles tendon in April 2013., but he fractured his knee just six games into the 2013-2014 season. The veteran All-Star passed Michael Jordan for third place on the NBA scoring list in December 2014, but his season was cut short for the third time in a row when he tore his rotator cuff in January 2015.

James Rodriguez is a professional footballer from Colombia. Real Madrid C.F. in Spain currently signs James Rodriguez. He is an attacking midfielder for Real Madrid and the Colombian National Team. He rose to prominence following a successful World Cup campaign in 2014. With six goals, James Rodriguez was awarded the FIFA Golden Boot. He is currently one of the world's best young talents. Rodriquez’s Personal Life Wilson James Rodrguez Bedoya and Maria Del Pilar Rubio gave birth to James David Rodrguez Rubio on July 12, 1991, in Cucuta, Colombia. His father was also a football player, having played for the 1985 U-20 and Colombian national teams. Wilson's athletic career was cut short due to injuries and a battle with alcoholism. James inherited his father's love of football and became interested in it at a young age. He used to play Pony Football with Academia Tolimense as a child, and by the time he was in his early teens, he was a very skilled player.                                 His Career In his mid-teens, he made his professional debut with the Colombian second-division club Envigado. The following year, he was promoted to Colombia's first division. He joined the Argentine club Banfield in 2008 and made his debut in February 2009. On February 27, he scored his first goal, a long-range strike, in a 3-1 victory over Rosario Central. He astounded his coaches and teammates with his skillful performances at 17 and became a regular first-team player, appearing in every Apertura 2009. He also became Argentina's youngest foreigner to score a goal. He did an excellent job throughout the year and quickly gained a large fan base. He became a highly sought-after player and was signed by Porto, a Portuguese sports club, in July 2010 for €5.1 million. In December 2010, he scored his first goal in European football in a 3-1 home victory for Porto over Bulgarian club CSKA Sofia. In the 2011-12 season, he reached new heights of success, scoring 14 goals and providing 11 assists for Porto. He was also the first Colombian player to win the LPFP Award for Breakthrough Player of the Year in 2011. In the 2012-13 season, he became a regular starter. He was instrumental in the 1-0 victory over Paris Saint-Germain in the 2012-13 UEFA Champions League group stage. He also assisted on a goal in a 2-1 win over Estoril. He maintained his stellar play throughout the season, finishing with 13 goals and 15 assists in 32 appearances. In 2013, James Rodriguez joined French club AS Monaco for €45 million, making him one of the most expensive transfers in world football history. He made his Monaco debut in a 2-0 win over Bordeaux. During the season, he also assisted on two goals in a 2-1 victory over Saint-Étienne. In a 2-0 win over Rennes, he scored his first goal for the club with a free kick. Following the World Cup, he joined the Spanish club Real Madrid for an undisclosed fee, estimated to be around €80 million. He made his debut in the UEFA Super Cup against Sevilla at Cardiff City Stadium, which Real Madrid won 2-0. In August 2014, he scored his first goal for Real Madrid against Atlético Madrid.

The Portuguese football legend has the most Instagram followers, but he is also a superhero for his charitable work. Cristiano Ronaldo's family supports him, but they can sometimes break his heart. When he was recently shown a videotaped interview of his late father conducted in 2004, a year before his death, the five-time Ballon d'Or winner was moved to tears. Ronaldo’s Personal Life Cristiano Ronaldo was born in Madeira, Portugal, on February 5, 1985, to Jose Dinis Aveiro and Maria Dolores dos Santos Aveiro. His father worked as a municipal gardener, and his mother was a cook. Ronaldo was the youngest of four children, with a son and two daughters. Ronaldo was expelled from school after he assaulted his teacher with a chair. He had always been a keen footballer, and by the age of fourteen, he had decided to focus on becoming a professional footballer. Ronaldo had been playing for Androrinha since he was eight years old.                                 His Career Cristiano Ronaldo joined the club 'Nacional' in his hometown of Madeira in 1995, and after a successful trial, he joined one of the biggest clubs in Portugal, namely, 'Sporting CP.' In 2003-2004, Cristiano Ronaldo became Manchester United's first Portuguese player. He wanted his Sporting FC number 28, but at Old Trafford, he was given the No.7 jersey, which David Beckham and Eric Cantona had previously worn. Cristiano Ronaldo made his Manchester United debut as a substitute for Nicky Butt against Bolton Wonders on August 16, 2003, and United won 4-0. In his first match, Ronaldo received a standing ovation from the crowd and numerous compliments from United legend George Best. Cristiano Ronaldo's career took off in the 2006-07 season when he scored more than 20 goals for Manchester United under Sir Alex Ferguson. He established his importance on the field by assisting them in winning their first Premier League championship in four years in the 2005-06 season. Cristiano Ronaldo decided to join Real Madrid from Manchester United ahead of the 2008-09 season for the highest-ever signing fee of £80 million. Madrid announced a 5-year contract extension with Cristiano Ronaldo until 2015, paying him £11 million per year and including a €1 billion release fee, marking a significant advancement in Cristiano Ronaldo's career. Ronaldo was given the number 9 jersey in his early days at Real Madrid because Raul was the club captain then. Cristiano Ronaldo's life story changed when he moved from Manchester United to Real Madrid, thanks to his success at the Santiago Bernabeu. He has played 292 games and scored 311 goals in his eight years at Real Madrid. Ronaldo left Real Madrid in 2018 for Juventus for a fee of €100 million plus €12 million in additional costs. Ronaldo agreed to a four-year contract with Juventus, and the fee paid by the new team was the highest ever paid for a 30-year-old player. In his fourth game for Juventus, Ronaldo scored his first goal against Sassuolo, and he was sent off for the first time in his 154th Champions League match against Valencia.