Olympic GOAT Michael Phelps is completely unrecognisable

A photo of two of the greatest Olympians ever has highlighted once again that retirement is treating them very well.

He’s one of the greatest swimmers to have ever graced a pool, but nowadays Olympic legend Michael Phelps is looking virtually unrecognisable.

The most successful Olympian of all-time with 28 medals, 23 of which were gold, Phelps was regularly seen fairly cleanly shaven or with a little bit of stubble with a short haircut during the peak of his athletic career.

But the 40-year-old has cut a much different look since his retirement.

Sporting a bushy beard, which he accompanies with a top knot, Phelps is almost unrecognisable from the past.

The swimming legend, who was in Sydney for the World Business Forum where he spoke on Tuesday, also took advantage to meet up with former rival and Aussie Grant Hackett, who is equally unrecognisable.

Michael Phelps and Grant Hackett both look so different. Photo: Instagram

Gold for Phelps, silver for Hackett at the 2005 World Championships.

Three-time Olympic gold medallist Hackett, 45, has equally moved on from his swimming career, becoming CEO of ASX-listed financial services company Generation Development Group.

He is also the proud father of four children, his most recent born in August 2023, a daughter named Olympia Grace.

He admitted recently that while he missed some aspects of professional swimming, “I love not training”.

Meanwhile, Phelps has been busy, just last week participating in the World Wide Technology Championship golf pro-am in El Cardonal at Diamante in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico.

Phelps, who has become self described golf nut, was an avid viewer of the golf at the Paris Olympics last year.

“Obviously, Rahmbo (Jon Rahm) is a good friend of mine, and Wyndham (Clark) for Team USA,” Phelps said at the time.

“For me, it’s just seeing these guys up close. I’m a golf nut, so being able to just pick up on ball position, grip, length of backswing, whatever it might be.

“I’m a super technical person. That’s how I had to be in my sport, so (golf) is kind of nice that way. I gravitated towards this (sport) and here we are. I’m a psycho in the game and I love it.”

Phelps is looking much different nowadays. Photo by Orlando Ramirez/Getty Images

He looks like he’s living his best life. Photo by Odd ANDERSEN / AFP

Phelps is globally renowned as the greatest swimmer of all time after dominating the 2004, 2008, 2012 and 2016 Olympics.

The Baltimore Bullet retired following the Rio Olympics, having made a sensational comeback after initially hanging up his goggles at the end of the London Games four years earlier.

He went on to establish the Michael Phelps Foundation, which supports and empowers young people to feel confident and safe under water.

Phelps also enjoys a staggering net worth, which is believed to be over $150 million ($A230m).

Despite the fortune, he lives a rather quiet life in Arizona with his wife and ex-beauty queen Nicole Johnson.

And the couple have four sons, Boomer, 9, Becket, 7, Maverick, 6, and Nico, 1.

Phelps is also a mental health advocate as he has previously urged others to seek help and speak up if they are experiencing problems.

With The Sun

Originally published as Olympic GOAT Michael Phelps is completely unrecognisable