The 20 Most Famous Hispanic Athletes Of All Time, Ranked

Hispanic athletes play different sports, such as soccer, American football, boxing, baseball, and basketball. They are some of the best in these disciplines and have left an indelible mark. That said, some are more famous than others, which leads to the question, "Who are the most famous Hispanic athletes of all time?"

To determine the most famous Hispanic athletes, we assessed several factors, including their social media following, sporting achievements, and influence on and off the field. We also relied on data from Instagram and Abasto to compile the most accurate information. So, who are the most famous Hispanic sports players?

List of the famous Hispanic athletes

Sports is one of the most prominent social activities practised in Hispanic countries, which explains why most of their athletes are among the best in the world. These athletes have transcended their sports, cementing their legacy in the industry. Here is a list of famous Hispanic athletes.

1. Lionel Messi

• Full name: David Josué Jiménez Silva
• Place of birth: Arguineguín, Spain
• Sport: Football

Lionel Messi is considered the best footballer of all time. The Argentine has won multiple awards, including the Ballon d’Or, FIFA World Player of the Year, and La Liga Best Player. Moreover, he won the 2022 FIFA World Cup with Argentina to crown a glorious career.

2. Diego Maradona

• Full name: Diego Armando Maradona Franco
• Place of birth: Lanús, Buenos Aires Province
• Sport: Football

Diego Maradona is dead but remains one of the most famous Hispanic athletes ever. His soccer achievements secured his legacy, and he is considered one of the best footballers to have played.

In 1986, he helped Argentina win the FIFA World Cup. Beyond that, he collected several individual awards, including the Player of the 20th Century.

3. Carmelo Anthony

• Full name: Carmelo Kyam Anthony
• Place of birth: New York City
• Sport: Basketball

Carmelo Anthony, whose grandparents are Puerto Rican, is among the most famous Latin-American athletes in the sports world. In 2003, the Denver Nuggets drafted Anthony as a first-round, third-overall pick from Syracuse.

The small forward enjoyed a promising career, playing for notable teams, including the Los Angeles Lakers, Oklahoma City Thunder, New York Knicks, and Portland Trail Blazers.

4. Diego Costa

• Full name: Diego da Silva Costa
• Place of birth: Lagarto, Sergipe, Brazil
• Sport: Football

Diego Costa is one of the most fierce footballers. His personality and style draw criticism and praise in equal measure. Nonetheless, he succeeded in Europe, having played for Chelsea, Atletico Madrid, and Wolves. Costa won the Premier League and La Liga twice and was a Champions League runners-up.

5. Devin Booker

• Full name: Devin Armani Booker
• Place of birth: Grand Rapids, Michigan
• Sport: Basketball

Devin Booker is among the male Hispanic athletes playing in the NBA. In 2015, the Phoenix Suns drafted him as a first-round, 13th-overall pick from the University of Kentucky. It is the only team he has played for so far.

Booker’s most significant achievements include being on the NBA All-Star team four times, being named to the All-NBA First Team, and winning two Olympic gold medals.

6. Giovani dos Santos

• Full name: Giovani dos Santos Ramírez
• Place of birth: Monterrey, Mexico
• Sport: Football

Giovani dos Santos played for several high-profile European clubs, including Barcelona, Tottenham Hotspur, Mallorca, and Villareal. He then went to the United States and played for the Los Angeles Galaxy for three years. In 2019, the Mexican player returned to Mexico, where he finished his career at Club de Fútbol América S.A. de.

7. David Ortiz

• Full name: David Américo Ortiz Arias
• Place of birth: Santo, Domingo, Dominic Republic
• Sport: Baseball

David Ortiz is among the famous Spanish-speaking athletes who excelled in their craft. He was the designated hitter for the Minnesota Twins and Boston Red Sox and won the World Series thrice with the Boston Red Sox.

In his third appearance at the World Series, the hitter was named the World Series MVP. Moreover, Ortiz was a 10-time All-Star and won the Silver Slugger Awards seven times.

8. David Silva

• Full name: David Josué Jiménez Silva
• Place of birth: Arguineguín, Spain
• Sport: Football

David Silva is another famous Hispanic footballer. At the height of his career, the midfielder played for Valencia, Manchester City and Real Sociedad. At Manchester City, Silva won the Premier League four times, twice in the FA Cup and twice in the Copa del Rey.

Silva also represented Spain at the international level 125 times, winning the FIFA World Cup in 2010 and the European Championships in 2008 and 2012.

9. Oscar De La Hoya

• Full name: Oscar De La Hoya
• Place of birth: East Los Angeles, California, U.S.
• Sport: Boxing

Oscar De La Hoya was born in the United States to Mexican parents who immigrated there. In 2022, the Consulate General of Mexico granted him Mexican citizenship to reflect his heritage.

De la Hoya is one of the best boxers in the sport’s history. He won 11 titles in six different weight divisions and an Olympic gold medal at the 1992 Barcelona Games.

10. Cain Velasquez

• Full name: Caín Ramirez Velasquez
• Place of birth: Salinas, California
• Sport: Mixed Martial Arts

Cain Velasquez was born in Salinas, California, to a Mexican father and an American mother. He doubled in American football and wrestling in high school and captained both teams. Velasquez launched his professional career after college, competing in the kickboxing and Jiu-Jitsu.

He won the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) in 2010 and 2012. In 2019, Velasquez launched his wrestling career. He earned a WWE contract, which it was scrapped during COVID-19 budget cuts.

11. Ryan Lochte

• Full name: Ryan Steven Lochte
• Place of birth: Rochester, New York
• Sport: Swimmer

Ryan Lochte is one of America’s best male swimmers. He was born in Rochester, New York, to a Cuban mother of Basque descent and a Dutch father of English and German descent. In his remarkable career, Lochte won 12 Olympic medals, six gold medals, three silver medals, and three bronze medals.

12. Tony Romo

• Full name: Antonio Ramiro Romo
• Place of birth: San Diego, California
• Sport: American football

Tony Romo’s paternal grandfather immigrated from Mexico to the United States. He took advantage of the opportunities and established a successful football career.

Romo began his career in high school, joined Eastern Illinois College and went undrafted in the 2003 NFL draft. However, that did not deter him from pursuing his career. The Dallas Cowboys signed him, and he was one of the best quarterbacks the team had ever had.

13. Diana Taurasi

• Full name: Diana Lorena Taurasi
• Place of birth: Glendale, California
• Sport: Basketball

Diana Taurasi was born in the United States to Argentine parents. She grew up in Chino, California, where she pursued a career in basketball. Taurasi plays for the Phoenix Mercury, who drafted her as a first-round, first-overall pick in 2004.

Since joining the league, Taurasi has made significant achievements, including winning the WNBA three times, being named the WNBA Finals MVP, and winning six Olympic gold medals.

14. Tony Gonzalez

• Full name: Anthony David Gonzalez
• Place of birth: Torrance, California
• Sport: American football

Tony Gonzalez comes from different cultural backgrounds, one of them being Argentina. By his birth, his parents had settled in the United States. He played football throughout school and for notable NFL teams, including the Kansas City Chiefs and the Atlanta Falcons. The tight end was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

15. Eddy Alvarez

• Full name: Eduardo Cortes Alvarez
• Place of birth: Miami, Florida
• Sport: Baseball

Eddy Alvarez was born to Cuban immigrants in Miami, Florida. His passion for sports began early as he skated before becoming a baseball player. In high school, he pursued skating and baseball but chose to focus on the latter.

In 2014, the Chicago White Sox signed him, and he went on to play for the Miami Marlins, the Los Angeles Dodgers, Milwaukee Brewers, the Boston Red Sox, and the New York Mets. Alvarez won the silver medal with the U.S. at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.

16. Ted Williams

• Full name: Theodore Samuel Williams
• Place of birth: San Diego, California
• Sport: Baseball

Ted Williams played for the Boston Red Sox between 1939 and 1942 and 1946 and 1960. Although he did not win the World Series, Ted was an impressive player. He made it into the All-Star team 19 times, was twice the NL MVP, won two Triple Crowns, and was a six-time AL batting champion.

17. Roberto Clemete

• Full name: Roberto Enrique Clemente Walker
• Place of birth: Barrio San Anton, Carolina, Puerto Rico
• Sport: Baseball

The Puerto Rican is considered one of the best in the game. He played for the Pittsburgh Pirates between 1955 and 1972, winning two World Series titles, the World Series MVP, 12 Gold Glove Awards, and a four-time NL batting champion.

18. Robinson Cano

• Full name: Robinson José Canó Mercedes
• Place of birth: San Pedro de Macorís, Dominican Republic
• Sport: Baseball

The Hispanic baseballer, who played for the New York Yankees, won the World Series once. He also collected several honours, including five Silver Slugger Awards and two Gold Glove Awards. Additionally, Robinson was featured in the All-Stars eight times, won the World Baseball Classic in 2013, and was its MVP.

19. Alex Rodriguez

• Full name: Alexander Emmanuel Rodriguez
• Place of birth: Manhattan, New York
• Sport: Baseball

Alex Rodriguez left an indelible mark in baseball. Playing for the Seattle Mariners, Texas Rangers, and the New York Yankees, he won the World Series championship in 2009. Moreover, the shortstop was a 14-time All-Star, won the Golden Glove Award twice and the Silver Slugger Award 10 times.

20. Tom Fears

• Full name: Thomas Jesse Fears
• Place of birth: Guadalajara, Mexico
• Sport: American football

Tom Fears was born to a Mexican mother and an American father. His first encounter with American football was in high school. He continued playing in college and later for the Colorado Springs service team during World War I.

After the team released him, he transferred to the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) before the Los Angeles Rams drafted him in 1945. Fears was a three-time NFL Champion.

Final word

The most famous Hispanic athletes come from different sporting disciplines. They have achieved significant career milestones and left a lasting legacy in the sporting world.

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