Some athletes have all the talent in the world—and they’ll make sure you never forget it. Confidence is necessary to compete at the highest level. Still, sometimes it spills into pure delusion, with a healthy dash of dramatic interviews, trash talk, and self-comparisons to legends.
From NFL superstars to tennis icons and everything in between, these athletes have made a second career out of being their own biggest fans. Whether it’s justified or not, here are 20 athletes who have mastered the art of overconfidence across every major sport.
20. Jalen Ramsey
Jalen Ramsey never met a wide receiver he didn’t think he could shut down. His confidence is unmatched—even when the film says otherwise.
19. Cam Newton
Cam Newton didn’t just play quarterback—he turned it into a fashion show, press conference performance, and motivational TED Talk. Even when his play declined, his belief in his greatness never wavered.
18. Brooks Koepka
Koepka loves to act like golf is beneath him, like it’s something he casually dominates in between lifting weights. He’s as confident in a major as he is dismissive of every tournament that’s not a major.
17. Richard Sherman
Sherman built a Hall of Fame résumé and an ego to match. From his “don’t you ever talk about me!” postgame rants to calling himself the best corner in the game, subtlety was never his thing.
16. Conor McGregor
He talks like a champion even when he’s not winning. Conor’s self-belief has always been louder than his recent win-loss record.
15. Aaron Rodgers
Rodgers plays like a wizard and talks like a philosopher who reads too much Reddit. He’s never short on self-assurance, whether “I still own you” chants or a darkness retreat.
14. Draymond Green
Draymond considers himself the most intelligent guy in every room, especially if it’s a basketball court or a podcast studio. He knows he’s a role player, but he’ll tell you he’s the key to four rings.
13. Novak Djokovic
Novak thinks he’s the greatest ever—and depending on the day, he might be right. But he’s also made it clear that tennis fans and history owe him more respect.
12. Jamal Adams
Adams once called himself the best in the league and a defensive weapon unlike any other. It’s a bold stance for someone who now spends more time getting roasted than praised.
11. Russell Westbrook
Westbrook’s confidence has never dipped—even when the turnovers pile up or the jumper disappears. He plays like every possession is a personal mission from the basketball gods.
10. Bryce Harper
Harper was crowned the next baseball messiah as a teen and has done little to downplay it. The swagger is always turned to eleven, whether it’s the hair flips, bat flips, or quotes.
9. Floyd Mayweather
Mayweather never lost a fight—and never let you forget it. His mouth was as fast as his jab, and his belief in invincibility fueled his entire career.
8. Deion Sanders
Prime Time wasn’t just a nickname; it was a lifestyle. Sanders didn’t just think he was the best—he demanded the spotlight like he was born under it.
7. Joe Namath
Namath promised a Super Bowl victory and delivered, but he never stopped thinking he was Broadway Joe. Even decades later, his confidence remains untouched.
6. Johnny Manziel
Manziel partied like a rock star and acted like a franchise quarterback long after his play said otherwise. His overconfidence aged faster than his NFL career.
5. Patrick Beverley
Pat Bev talks like a mix of Gary Payton and Jesus Shuttlesworth. His confidence has no chill—even when he’s just fouling people and barking from the bench.
4. Nick Kyrgios
Kyrgios thinks he can beat anyone as long as he feels like it. His talent is real, but his self-belief has been known to fly past his results.
3. Antonio Brown
AB went from All-Pro to full-blown spectacle, but his self-confidence never left the building. Whether it was dancing out of the tunnel or quitting mid-game, he always thought he was the star.
Read More: Ranking the 15 Most Overconfident QBs to Ever Play the Game
2. Jake Paul
Jake Paul went from YouTube prankster to professional fighter and has carried himself like a legend. The confidence is relentless, even if the boxing purists still roll their eyes.
Read More: The 20 Most Overconfident Tennis Stars of All Time
1. Cristiano Ronaldo
Ronaldo believes he’s one of the best athletes on Earth—and has no issue saying it out loud. From goal celebrations to mirror selfies, he admires no one more than himself.
Read More: Ranking the 29 Most Underpaid Quarterbacks of All Time
