Top 10 sporting GOATs ranked with Michael Jordan only second on star-studded list

The top 10 sporting GOATs were ranked with Michael Jordan only second on the star-studded list, with a shock name coming out on top.

That's according to Piers Morgan, who named his top 10 sporting GOATs for the Daily Mail in 2021 as he left out the likes of Lionel Messi and Tom Brady.

Messi's on-field rival Cristiano Ronaldo, however, was among the top 10, with the 40-year-old enjoying spells at Manchester United, Real Madrid and Juventus.

But Morgan has ranked four sporting GOATs ahead of Ronaldo, who has won five Ballon d'Or titles in his legendary career.

Ronaldo is behind Olympics and track icon Usain Bolt, who won an impressive eight Olympic gold medals during his career. He is still the world-record holder of the 100m, setting a blistering time of 9.58 seconds in 2009.

Morgan claims the Jamaican 'managed to combine tremendous physique, speed and power with a wonderfully charismatic personality' en route to destroying his opponents.

The late, great Muhammad Ali is ranked third, having captured the world heavyweight title on three different occasions.

"The fabulously flamboyant way he talked the talk, and his stunning influence on the global stage, that that made Ali special." Morgan stated.

Michael Jordan is ranked second following his career in the NBA, where he won six championships with the Chicago Bulls.

Muhammad Ali stands over Sonny Liston. Image: Getty

Morgan called Jordan 'the second greatest sportsman in history' and described him as a 'verifiable lunatic'.

Cricketer Sir Don Bradman ranks as No.1, according to Morgan.

The Australian, nicknamed 'The Don', is widely recognised as the greatest batsman in cricket history.

His Test batting average of 99.94 is considered by many critics to be the greatest achievement by any sportsman in any major sport.

"He was a 5ft 7in machine who wielded such dominance that if he had scored just four runs in his final innings, his international average would have been 100, which in cricket terms is perfection," explained Morgan.

"Instead, he was out for zero, proving that nobody's perfect. But Bradman came the closest to achieving perfection of any sportsman in history. And that's why, for me, he's the sporting G.O.A.T."

Piers Morgan's top 10 sporting GOATs:

10 - Ayrton Senna (racing driver)

9 - Wayne Gretzky (ice hockey)

8 - Michael Phelps (swimmer)

7 - Roger Federer (tennis)

6 - Tiger Woods (golf)

5 - Cristiano Ronaldo (football)

4 - Usain Bolt (sprinter)

3 - Muhammad Ali (boxing)

2 - Michael Jordan (basketball)

1 - Sir Don Bradman (cricket)