Which Professional Athlete Has the Highest IQ?

Professional athletes are often admired for their physical abilities, but many also have impressive intelligence. Among the most intelligent athletes of our time, Lionel Messi and Michael Jordan come to mind. They are literally called "genius" in their respective fields.

Lionel Messi's journey from a shy teenager to a charismatic and thoughtful team leader is inspiring. His smart thinking, quick decisions, and incredible dribbling and scoring abilities have won him many FIFA World Player of the Year awards. His IQ of 191 highlights his intelligence and adds to his legendary status.

Another sports legend is Michael Jordan, whose IQ is believed to be 154. The Netflix show "The Last Dance" showcases Jordan's incredible talent and drive to win. He was more than just a great player; he turned athletes into stars and made fans feel like they were part of something big. Jordan's intelligence and leadership helped him lead the Chicago Bulls to six NBA championships.

In American football, Ryan Fitzpatrick is known for his smarts and athletic skill. "FitzMagic," as he's called, graduated from Harvard University and has an IQ of 161. He has played as a quarterback for many NFL teams, including the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Miami Dolphins.

As the athletes in the table below show (come back for more updates!), high IQ and physical skills can go hand in hand!

IQ score of the top professional athletes

Return to list of all celebrities IQ