Titans of the 21st Century: ESPN Unveils Its List of Exceptional Athletes (TOP 100)

The American sports media giant has concocted a ranking that is causing a sensation: the 100 best athletes since the year 2000. Needless to say, it's no laughing matter!

Sports experts racked their brains and over 70,000 people weighed in. It's like filling an entire stadium with sports fans to decide who deserves their place in the pantheon of modern legends.

Unsurprisingly (or almost), Americans dominate the rankings like LeBron James dominates a basketball court. Out of 100 athletes, 56 come from Uncle Sam's country. And hold on tight, 4 of them are in the top 5! That's what we call hitting it big at home.

But who sits at the top of this mountain of talent? Ladies and gentlemen, I name Michael Phelps! The shark of the pools, the man with 23 Olympic gold medals. This guy probably swims faster than some of us walk. Right behind him, brandishing her racket like a scepter, is the queen Serena Williams. With her 23 Grand Slam titles, she has made the tennis court her kingdom.

And who completes this dream podium? None other than the Pulga, the genius of the round ball, Lionel Messi! The Argentinian inserts himself between the Americans like a well-placed free kick. Not bad for a guy who works miracles with his feet rather than his hands!

But don't think that France has been left on the bench! Thierry Henry and Zinédine Zidane, our football magicians, have made their way into the top 50. And the next generation is assured with Kylian Mbappé who is showing the tip of his boots in 65th place. Not bad for a youngster, right?

What's fascinating is how certain sports dominate this ranking. Basketball is kind of the boss here, with 24 out of 100 athletes. It seems like dribbling and dunking can put you right into legend. Baseball and soccer are close behind, proving that hitting a ball or pushing it into a net can also put you on top.

But beyond the numbers and the ranks, this ranking reminds us of one thing: sport is much more than victories and medals. It is the story of women and men who push their limits, who make us dream and who write history with the sweat of their brow.

So, whether you're a fan of Phelps who cuts through the water like no one else, Serena who turns every match into a spectacle, or Messi who makes the ball dance, one thing is for sure: we're lucky to have been able to witness the exploits of these living legends.

This ranking is like a time capsule of the moments that made us vibrate, jump for joy or cry with emotion in front of our screens. It is a tribute to those who transformed sport into art, poetry, a modern epic.

So, the next time you see a kid working out hard in a park or a pool, who knows? You might be watching a future star on this list. Because the legends of tomorrow are being forged today, right before our eyes.

And you, who is your favorite athlete from the beginning of this century? Who inspired, moved, impressed you the most? The debate has begun, and something tells me it's not about to stop!