The debate over who deserves the title of “Greatest of All Time” (GOAT) has become increasingly prevalent in sports culture, sparking passionate discussions among fans, analysts, and athletes alike. With the rise of social media, we hear more and more discussions about who’s the GOAT in basketball, Tennis, football, and many other sports.
But what makes an athlete the GOAT? Is it subjective to one’s opinion? And why does it even matter?
Understanding GOAT Criteria – What Makes an Athlete the GOAT?
Across all sports, several common factors influence who is the GOAD:
- The number of championships, titles, and personal achievements.
- Statistical dominance relative to contemporaries
- Longevity and consistency of excellence
- Impact on the court – impact on how the game is played and the number of viewers
- Cultural influence and broader impact on the sport
Bear in mind that each sport weighs these factors differently. Individual sports like tennis provide clearer head-to-head comparisons, while team sports require a more nuanced evaluation of individual contributions to collective success.
Either way, the list above is not the holy bible of who is the goat. Different people have different opinions. For instance, some, especially those who are obsessed with awards and trophies, consider the GOAT to be the one with the most titles, while others believe it’s the impact on the game and other factors that determine who is the best of all. It’s subjective to one’s mind, which is why we have a never-ending debate.
The GOAT Debate – Different Sports
To understand the GOAT debate, here are the different GOAT debates in tennis, basketball, soccer, and American football.
Tennis: The Three-Way Race
Tennis presents a unique GOAT debate with Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, and Novak Djokovic all making valid claims. Federer’s 20 Grand Slams, elegant playing style, and 237 consecutive weeks at World No. 1 established new benchmarks for excellence. Nadal’s 22 Grand Slams, including unprecedented dominance at Roland Garros, demonstrate specialized greatness while maintaining all-court capability.
But Djokovic’s current 24 Grand Slams, superior head-to-head record against both rivals and weeks at World No. 1 make him the statistical frontrunner. However, the GOAT debate in tennis extends beyond numbers to playing style, era competitiveness, and impact on the sport.
Many would argue that Federer had the most impact on tennis and its growing popularity during the past two decades. In that sense, the GOAT battle in tennis is a true case of numbers versus game style and the impact on the game. In tennis- the GOAT is very subjective, and might not be determined ever.
Basketball: The Jordan vs. LeBron Era
The NBA’s GOAT debate primarily centers around Michael Jordan and LeBron James, two players who dominated different eras with distinct styles. Jordan’s perfect 6-0 Finals record and unmatched competitive drive make him the traditional choice. His cultural impact transformed basketball into a global phenomenon, while his scoring prowess (30.1 career points per game) and defensive excellence (9-time All-Defensive First Team) set unprecedented standards.
LeBron James, conversely, represents the modern athlete-leader who excels in all aspects of the game. His longevity and versatility, evidenced by his ability to play multiple positions and sustained excellence across two decades, challenge traditional GOAT criteria. James’s broader statistical impact (including becoming the NBA’s all-time leading scorer) and ability to elevate multiple franchises to championship contention present a compelling case.
Crucially, the GOAT debate in basketball is a unique story. Up until a few years ago, there was a consensus that Jordan is the best ever. And for some reason, there’s a feeling that the debate between Joran and Lebron is a result of the media’s need to create a buzz around popular topics rather than a real conversation. It is more than likely that the vast majority of people in and out of the basketball world believe that Jordan is still the GOAT, despite the statistical achievements of Lebron, and even if Lebron is going to win another championship, following the widely discussed Luka Doncic Trade.
Soccer: Messi vs. Ronald vs. Maradona and the Pelé Factor
Soccer’s GOAT debate is particularly complex due to the sport’s global nature and evolution over time. The modern era’s focus on Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo has somewhat overshadowed legends like Pelé and Diego Maradona. Messi’s magical dribbling, extraordinary vision, and World Cup victory with Argentina in 2022 have strengthened his case. His seven Ballon d’Or awards and consistent excellence at both club and international levels represent an unprecedented achievement.
Ronaldo’s remarkable goal-scoring record, physical prowess, and success across multiple leagues demonstrate a different path to greatness. His five Champions League titles and international success with Portugal showcase his ability to perform at the highest level in various contexts.
But let’s not forget Pele and Maradona. The Pelé factor introduces a historical dimension, with his three World Cup victories and reported 1,279 goals setting a standard that modern players measure themselves against, though comparing across eras remains challenging.
Maradona is also a good candidate in the GOAT debate. In many opinions, Maradona is the GOAT due to his remarkable success with Argentina in World Cups (winner in 1986 and final in 1990). Also, his unique career path makes him quite different compared to other candidates, especially Messi and Ronaldo. Maradona preferred going to the underdog team, Napoli, in Italy and carried them to two league titles, the 1987 Coppa Italia, the 1990 Supercoppa Italiana, and their only European trophy with the 1989 UEFA Cup.
American Football: Brady’s Undisputed Reign
Unlike other sports, the NFL’s GOAT debate has largely been settled by Tom Brady’s unprecedented success. His seven Super Bowl victories, longevity (playing at an elite level until age 45), and ability to succeed in different systems with different teams create a nearly unassailable case. While players like Joe Montana, Peyton Manning, and Johnny Unitas dominated their respective eras, Brady’s achievements across two decades have redefined expectations for quarterback excellence.
The Challenge of Cross-Sport Comparison
Another question that often pops up is, who is the greatest athlete of all time?
Well, in that sense, comparing GOATs across different sports presents unique challenges. How does one weigh Brady’s seven Super Bowls against Federer’s 20 Grand Slams? Can Jordan’s basketball dominance be measured against Pelé’s soccer achievements? What about the impact of Muhamad Ali? Does that count? These questions highlight the subjective nature of cross-sport GOAT debates.
Also, the evolution of sports complicates comparisons. Modern athletes benefit from advanced training methods, nutrition, and medical care, while past legends competed with more basic resources. Bill Russell, for instance, won 11 championships; however, that was in an era when the competition was quite low.
Additionally, the globalization of sports has increased competitive depth, making sustained dominance potentially more challenging today. Nowadays, the pressure many athletes face can be quite a challenge, as evident from the Mardy Fish story, for example.
Final Thoughts – Why Do We Care So Much About Who’s the GOAT?
So, why do we care so much about the GOAT? Is that our childish mind? Is that actually part of sports?
Perhaps it is the competitive nature of sports. I mean, after all, even before the rise of technology and the Internet, people were very busy with the question of who is the best. As a kid, I remember my dad saying Maradona is the best, Bjorg was the best, and Jordan is the best (I don’t think anyone has used the GOAT phrase yet). So, we can conclude that even though the GOAT debate has become quite popular in recent years, and some might say, even a bit annoying, at the end of the day, it is something new.
Either way, in my opinion, the reason why the GOAT debate is in the headlines and always will be is because it’s our way to measure greatness, to set the bar for the next who arrives. Sports, in many ways, is about moving forward, seeing new forms of running, swimming, dribbling, or kicking the ball. It is what makes us get so excited about sports.
And more than anything, it’s a topic of discussion, and anything in life that gives us something to talk about will be fueled, especially nowadays when everybody wants to talk and listen.
