Miami boasts one of the liveliest sports scenes in the United States. The city is always buzzing with excitement, especially with Pat Riley’s Miami Heat being a local legend and the Miami Dolphins stirring strong emotions among fans. So, who stands out as the most notable athlete in Miami right now? Here are the ten biggest athletes currently playing in South Beach.
Luis Suarez, one of the world’s top footballers, has spent the last season-plus with Inter Miami in the MLS. A six-time domestic league champion, Suarez scored 20 goals and provided nine assists in 27 games for Inter Miami in 2024. His previous eight seasons included playing for Barcelona and Atletico Madrid, where he won five Champions League titles.
Jeffrey Achane, drafted in the third round of Texas A&M’s 2023 NFL Draft, has become an essential part of Miami Dolphins’ offense. Sharing running back duties with Raheem Mostert, Achane has rushed for 854 yards and seven touchdowns with an average of 5.6 yards per carry in his first two seasons. He also caught 78 passes for 592 yards and six touchdowns last season, leading the Dolphins with 12 total touchdowns from scrimmage.
Jaylen Waddle, a standout wide receiver in the NFL from 2021 to 2024, consistently delivers strong performances. Averaging 77 receptions, five touchdowns, and 1,032 yards per season, he led the NFL in yards per reception in 2022 and signed a lucrative three-year contract extension with the Dolphins.
Stetson Bennett, following a stellar career with the Georgia Bulldogs, has brought his skills to South Beach. In 2023-24, he started 27 games, leading Georgia to a 24-3 record with impressive passing stats. Bennett joined the Miami Hurricanes after narrowly missing out on the College Football Playoffs.
Matthew Tkachuk, after six years with Calgary Flames, was traded to the Florida Panthers in 2022. This move helped him excel, as the Panthers reached consecutive Stanley Cup finals and clinched their first-ever Stanley Cup in the 2023-24 season. Tkachuk, a two-time All-Star, tallied 26 goals and 62 assists last season.
Bam Adebayo, a five-time All-Defensive team member and three-time All-Star, has been a cornerstone for the Miami Heat since 2019-20. Known for his versatility and strong defense, Adebayo averaged 18.4 points, 9.8 rebounds, and 4.2 assists over six seasons. With Jimmy Butler’s departure, his role in leading Miami has become even more critical.
Tua Tagovailoa, despite injury setbacks, has shown great promise for the Miami Dolphins. In 2022, he led the NFL in passer rating, and in 2023, he threw for a league-high 4,624 yards. Tagovailoa also topped all quarterbacks with a 72.9% completion rate last season and is set to start a four-year contract worth $212.4 million.
Tyreek Hill, a five-time All-Pro and eight-time Pro Bowler, has arguably played his best football during his three seasons with the Dolphins. After a successful time with the Kansas City Chiefs, Hill racked up 1,710 and 1,799 receiving yards in 2022 and 2023, respectively, leading the league in receiving yards and touchdowns in 2023.
Tyler Herro has enjoyed the most successful season of his NBA career, especially with Jimmy Butler’s suspension and subsequent trade. Herro, who earned his first All-Star selection, currently averages 5.6 assists and 5.5 rebounds per game and has been a consistent scoring threat for the Heat.
Lionel Messi, one of the most iconic soccer players, has competed globally for Inter Miami in the past two years. An eight-time Ballon d’Or winner and a two-time UEFA Men’s Player of the Year, Messi played six games in 2023 and has scored 20 goals with 11 assists in 19 games in 2024. He also represented Argentina in the 2022 FIFA Men’s World Cup.
Fan Take: Matthew Tkachuk’s impact with the Florida Panthers marks a pivotal moment for hockey fans, signaling a new era of competitiveness and excitement in the NHL from a Miami-based team. His leadership and star power could help grow hockey’s popularity in a traditionally non-hockey market, broadening the sport’s reach.
