The 100 best professional athletes of the 21st century named and ranked and the No.1 pick is very controversial

ESPN have named and ranked the greatest professional athletes of the 21st century and the results are IN.

More than 70,000 votes from ESPN contributors were tallied to create their top 100 as voters were instructed to consider only an athlete's performance since 2000.

And after drip-feeding the top 100, ESPN have finally revealed the top 10 greatest athletes of the 21st century, with the outlet producing a somewhat controversial No.1 pick.

The late great Kobe Bryant, who forged an incredible career in the NBA, cracks the top 10, with Olympic legend Usain Bolt, golf icon Tiger Woods and gymnast star Simone Biles ranked ninth, eighth and seventh respectively.

Roger Federer, Tom Brady and LeBron James were ranked sixth, fifth and fourth.

Roger Federer at Wimbledon. Image: Getty

ESPN then ranked Lionel Messi and Serena Williams third and second, respectively, before naming Michael Phelps as the greatest professional athlete of the 21st century.

The former swimmer is the most decorated Olympian of all-time, with a stunning total of 28 medals.

Cristiano Ronaldo, who has five Ballon d'Or awards to his name and an array of major honours, was given a ranking of 13 while Lewis Hamilton, who has won seven F1 world championship titles, entered the list at 19.

Former pound-for-pound boxing king Floyd Mayweather could only make a ranking of 25 despite his stellar career.

Footballers Zinedine Zidane, Thierry Henry and Marta as well as Mike Trout and Michael Schumacher were featured in the top 50.

Jon Jones, ranked 66, is the highest-ranked MMA fighter, with the UFC star winning titles at light-heavyweight and heavyweight.

Andres Iniesta, Manny Pacquiao, Andy Murray, Aaron Rodgers and Rory McIlroy are among the athletes included in the top 100.

Check out ESPN's full list here.