In a classic slow-time-on-the-sports-calendar move, ESPN recently unveiled its ranking of the top 100 pro athletes of the 21st century.

Lists like this are all about criteria. And the more vague and subjective that criteria is, the easier it is to make some controversial picks and generate debate. ESPN of course knows just how to do that, stating only that the ranking was of the “most accomplished athletes since 2000.”

That criteria would eliminate some legendary Muslim athletes like Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Hakeem Olajuwon, and the late Muhammad Ali — but there were still four Muslim athletes who made the top 100.

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95. Zlatan Ibrahimovic (soccer)

Active from 1999-2023, for pro clubs in Sweden, the Netherlands, Italy, Spain, France, England, and the United States. Played for Sweden’s national team. Won 12 league championships and seven league player of the year awards. Scored 511 career goals.

ESPN’s Bill Connelly: “He was the purest scorer this side of Cristiano Ronaldo; he put the ball in the net at least once in four different decades, and he kept improving into his 30s. … He was the personification of artistry and brute force at the same time.”

78. Bernard Hopkins (boxing)

Active from 1988-2016. World champion at middleweight and light-heavyweight. At 49 years old, was the oldest world champion in history. Finished with a record of 55-8-2 with 32 knockouts.

ESPN’s Nick Parkinson: “Hopkins’ otherworldly longevity saw him fittingly call himself ‘The Alien’ late in a 28-year professional career. … The Philadelphia native’s ring IQ and exceptional conditioning allowed him to win world titles well into his 40s.”

50. Zinedine Zidane (soccer)

Active from 1989-2006, for pro clubs in France, Italy, and Spain. Played for France’s national team. Won three league championships, one UEFA Champions League title, one World Cup, and one European title. Three-time FIFA World Player of the Year, one-time Ballon d’Or winner.

ESPN’s Julien Laurens: “Zidane transformed soccer into a form of art. His elegance with the ball, his incredible technical ability and his skills made him a magician.”

17. Shaquille O’Neal (basketball)

Active from 1992-2011, for Orlando, the L.A. Lakers, Miami, Phoenix, Cleveland, and Boston in the NBA. Played for the U.S. national team. Won four NBA championships, three Finals MVPs, and a league MVP. Averaged 23.7 points, 10.9 rebounds, and 2.3 blocks per game.

ESPN’s Dave McMenamin: “The league never named the (MVP) trophy after O’Neal, but he did pick up the moniker ‘Most Dominant Ever,’ which isn’t a bad consolation prize.”