1. Virat Kohli

Virat Kohli is one of the most famous cricketers in the world. Photo: @
One of the most talented – and richest – cricketers the world has ever seen, Kohli was born on November 5, 1988, in Delhi, India. He has represented and led the Indian cricket team in One Day, Test and T20 formats, where he has set multiple records and won the ICC Cricket World Cup and ICC Champions Trophy, among others.

He was also awarded the 2017 and 2018 Sir Garfield Sobers Trophy for men’s cricketer of the year, reported Sharma Academy. ESPN has hailed him as one of the greatest One Day International (ODI) batsmen of all time, applauding his consistency and professionalism.

Chinese horoscopes: what to expect in the Year of the Wood Dragon 2024

2. Erling Haaland

Norwegian footballer Erling Haaland is only 23 years old. Photo: @
Considered one of the best footballers in the world today, Norway’s Erling Braut Haaland has lived up to the hype by smashing multiple records with his goal-scoring flair, all at just 23.The Manchester City striker was born on July 21, 2000 in Leeds, England, to two Norwegian star athletes, an article by the club noted. But he soon stepped out of their shadow to make a name for himself in the sporting world. Transfermarkt reported he has won, among multiple other awards, the UEFA best player in Europe 2023, six footballer of the year awards, and Champions League with Manchester City last year.

3. Russell Wilson

Russell Wilson started playing football since his high school days. Photo: @dangerusswilson/Instagram

Russell Carrington Wilson was born on November 29, 1988 in Ohio, US, and is considered to be one of the best quarterbacks of all time.

According to the Russel Wilson Pass Academy, the Seattle Seahawks and Denver Broncos star been part of a Super Bowl winning team, won the NFL rookie of the year award in 2012, the Bart Starr Award in 2022 and the Walter Payton NFL man of the year Award in 2021.

Wilson told Jimmy Kimmel Live that he spends about US$1 million a year to stay on top of his game: “It’s a process. It’s a lifestyle when you are trying to play as long as I’m trying to play. I’m trying to play until I’m 45.”

He is married to American singer Ciara, who was born in the Year of the Ox.

4. Kevin Durant

Kevin Durant plays for the Phoenix Suns. Photo: @easymoneysniper/Instagram

Durant was born on September 29, 1988, in Washington DC, US. He has played in the NBA for 17 years and is, as LeBron James told The Sporting Tribune, one of the best basketball players to have ever lived.

Basketball billionaires? 8 of the richest NBA players – net worths, ranked

The American basketball player is one of the most popular “ballers” in the world, having won numerous awards and accomplishments, including being picked twice for the NBA All-Star MVP, twice for the NBA Finals MVP and once for the NBA MVP awards. He also has two Olympic Gold Medals, states the NBA.

5. Conor McGregor

Conor McGregor is a celebrated Irish MMA fighter. Photo: @thenotoriousmma/Instagram
The Year of the Dragon also gave us one of the greatest UFC fighters in history. Born in Dublin, Ireland, on July 14, 1988, Conor McGregor has dominated the mixed martial arts space with his incredible skills.

MMA Fighting.com notes that McGregor has won several titles, including becoming the first person in history to hold two UFC titles, featherweight and lightweight, at the same time. He also won the 2014 Sherdog breakthrough fighter of the year, the best fighter ESPY award in 2016, and the international fighter of the year at the World MMA Awards in 2014 and 2015.

6. Richard Sherman

Seattle Seahawks cornerback Richard Sherman walks off the field at an NFL football game in Seattle, US, in October 2016. Photo: AP Photo

NFL cornerback Richard Sherman was born on March 30, 1988 in Compton, California, US. He’s made a name for himself as one of the best American footballers of the last decade. In 2013, Richard won the Super Bowl with the Seattle Seahawks, the team’s first.

Sports Illustrated has commented that his illustrious career and incredible talent certainly would earn him a spot on the NFL Hall of Fame.

Sherman hasn’t played since 2021, but he’s staying connected to football through Amazon’s Thursday Night Football coverage, per CBS Sports.

7. Clarence Seedorf

Clarence Seedorf was made a Knight of the Order of Orange-Nassau by the Netherlands. Photo: @clarenceseedorf/Instagram

Dutch footballer Clarence Clyde Seedorf is hailed as one of the best midfielders of the 90s and 2000s. He was born on April 1, 1976 in Paramaribo, Suriname, and played for several high-profile teams, including Ajax Amsterdam, AC Milan and Spanish giant Real Madrid. He has won four UEFA Champions League titles and the UEFA best midfielder award in 2007.

Colourstrology: what is your Chinese zodiac sign’s lucky colour for 2024?

According to the BBC, Seedorf was named on Pelé’s list of 125 best football players, and was made a Knight of the Order of Orange-Nassau by the Netherlands in 2011, reported Football Italia.

8. Stephen Curry

Golden State Warriors point guard Stephen Curry brings the ball upcourt against the Minnesota Timberwolves during the second quarter at Target Centre, in November 2022. Photo: USA Today

One of the most recognisable names in American basketball, Stephen Curry was born on March 14, 1988 in Ohio, US. He led the Golden State Warriors to championships in 2015, 2017, 2018 and 2022.

Curry has broken numerous NBA records. He also won two NBA MVP awards and one NBA Finals MVP award in 2022, lists the NBA. In 2022, basketball legend Shaquille O’Neal hailed Curry the “best basketball player in the world”, reported the Bleacher Report.

9. Chloe Kim

Chloe Kim is an American snowboarder who made headlines for becoming the youngest gold medallist at the 2015 X Games. Photo: @chloekim/Instagram
American snowboarder and two-time Olympic gold medallist Chloe Kim was born on April 23, 2000 in California, US. She first grabbed the world’s attention at the 2015 X Games when, at just 14, she became the youngest winner of a gold medal in the superpipe. She went on to win five more Winter X titles and is expected to compete at several more Winter Olympics.

BBC reported that she was unbeaten in the three years leading to the 2022 Winter Olympics where she won her second gold and achieved back-to-back victories in the half-pipe. ABC News hailed her as the best female snowboarder in the world, and one of the best to ever compete in the sport.