Ever wondered who the fastest footballers on the planet are? We’ve compiled the definitive list of the fastest football players in the world, based on top speed and acceleration. These lightning-quick players would smoke the average person in a footrace and leave most professional athletes in the dust.
When these speedsters get into open space, good luck catching them. If you’re looking for players with afterburners that can torch an opposing defense, look no further than these 15 speed geniuses that are redefining what’s possible on the pitch with their blistering pace.
Overview of the Sport Soccer
Soccer is the most popular sport in the world. Played in over 200 countries, the game brings people together. Two teams of 11 players each compete to kick the ball into the opponent’s goal.
The game starts with a kick-off, passing the ball to teammates without using hands. Players can kick, head, chest or knee the ball to advance it, but no contact is allowed. Offside rules prevent offensive players from having an advantage.
When a player commits a foul, like tripping, pushing, or handballs, the other team gets a free kick or penalty kick. Goals scored during normal play are worth 1 point. The team with the most goals at the end of 90 minutes wins!
With simple rules but complex strategies, soccer provides a lifetime of learning and excitement for players and fans alike.
Top 15 Fastest Football Players In The World
When it comes to speed, these football players are in a league of their own.
With speed to burn, these swift-footed stars have electrified fans worldwide. Their rapid acceleration and breakaway speed add an extra thrill to the beautiful game.
Here are the Top 15 Fastest Football Players In The World:
Kylian Mbappé (38 km/h)
Mbappé is a French professional footballer who plays as a forward for Ligue 1 club Paris Saint-Germain and the France national team. Mbappé is known for his finishing, dribbling, and speed, and is considered one of the best players in the world.
At just 24 years old, Mbappé already has a World Cup victory under his belt, scoring four goals in seven appearances during France’s 2018 triumph. His performances earned him the Best Young Player Award for the tournament. For PSG, Mbappé has already won several trophies, including five Ligue 1 titles, three Coupe de France titles (French Cup), and two Coupe de la Ligues (French League Cup).
With a top speed of 38 km/h, Mbappé is lightning quick on the pitch. His rapid acceleration, agility, and skill with the ball at his feet make him a nightmare for defenders to deal with. Mbappé’s blistering pace and clinical finishing have drawn comparisons to former Brazilian superstar Ronaldo. At his current trajectory, Mbappé is destined to become one of the all-time greats. His potential appears limitless.
Kyle Walker (37.8km/h)
Walker is one of the fastest footballers in the world. His top speed was recorded at 37.8km/h, which is truly rapid. Known for his incredible pace and stamina, Walker is a right-back who currently plays for Manchester City and the English national team.
Walker is regarded as one of the quickest players in world football. His speed allows him to swiftly charge up and down the right flank, supporting his team’s attacks while also helping defensively. Walker’s pace causes nightmares for opposing wingers as he is able to catch up with almost any player.
Mahmoud Trézéguet (37.5 km/h)
Mahmoud Trézéguet is an Egyptian professional footballer who plays as a forward for Süper Lig club Trabzonspor and the Egypt national team. At just 29 years old, Trézéguet is considered one of the fastest footballers in the world with a top speed of 37.5 km/h. His blistering pace and dribbling skills make him a threat for any defense.
Aaron Wan-Bissaka (37.4 km/h)
Wan-Bissaka is an English professional footballer who plays as a right back for Manchester United. Aaron Wan-Bissaka recorded an incredible top speed of 37.4 km/h, making him one of the fastest footballers in the world.
Gareth Bale (36.95 km/h)
Gareth Frank Bale MBE is a retired Welsh professional footballer who mostly played as a winger for Tottenham Hotspur, Real Madrid, and Wales. He is widely recognized as one of the greatest Welsh players of all time and one of the best footballers of his period. He was well renowned for his quick pace, athleticism, and powerful long-distance strikes.
Bale is also excellent at using his speed (36.95 km/h) to get in behind the defense and run onto through balls, where he can then unleash a powerful shot with his left foot. His speed and dribbling ability make him a formidable opponent for any defender.
Karim Adeyemi (36.73 km/h)
Karim Adeyemi is known for his incredible speed and dribbling skills. At just 21 years old, the German footballer has already shown immense potential. Playing as a forward for Borussia Dortmund, Adeyemi has clocked an incredible top speed of 36.73 km/h, earning him a spot among the fastest players in the world.
Antonio Rudiger (36.7 km/h)
Rudiger is known for his blistering pace and speed. The German defender currently plays as a center-back for La Liga club Real Madrid and the Germany national team. He has clocked speeds up to 36.7 km/h. At 6 feet 3 inches, Rudiger combines his size and strength with deceptive quickness.
Once Rudiger gets moving, good luck catching him. His speed allows him to recover quickly if beaten by an attacker. It also lets him bomb forward to join the attack, adding an extra dimension to his club’s offense.
Mykhailo Mudryk (36.63 (km/h)
Mykhailo Mudryk, the 22-years-old Ukrainian footballer who primarily plays as a winger for Premier League club Chelsea and the Ukraine national team. With a recorded top speed of 36.63 km/h, Mudryk is considered one of the fastest players in Europe. His blistering pace, dribbling skills, and ability to beat defenders one-on-one have led to comparisons with Neymar. Nicknamed the “Ukrainian Neymar”, Mudryk is a rising star in football and a player to watch out for in the coming years.
Anthony Gordon (36.61km/h)
Gordon is an English professional footballer who plays as a winger for Premier League club Newcastle United.
Anthony Gordon is known for his blistering pace and dribbling skills. His top speed was recorded at 36.61km/h, making him one of the fastest players in world football. At only 22 years old, Gordon has already established himself as an integral part of Everton’s attack, utilizing his rapid acceleration and control to beat defenders and create scoring chances. With his youth and natural abilities, Gordon looks poised to become a star for both club and country in the coming years.
Ousmane Dembélé (36.6 km/h)
Masour Ousmane Dembélé is a French professional footballer who plays as a winger for Ligue 1 club Paris Saint-Germain and the France national team. Ousmane Dembélé is known for his blistering pace and has been clocked running at 36.6 km/h, making him one of the fastest players in world football.
The French winger started his career at Rennes before moving to Borussia Dortmund in 2016. His speed, dribbling skills, and goalscoring ability earned him a €105 million transfer to Barcelona in 2017, making him the second most expensive player in history at the time.
Though injuries have hampered his time at Barcelona, when fit and on form Dembele is a nightmare for defenders. His rapid acceleration, fast feet, and ability to change direction quickly make him nearly impossible to mark. Operating on the right wing, he loves to cut inside onto his left foot and unleash powerful shots on goal. At just 26 years old, Dembele has his best years ahead and the potential to become one of the most electrifying forwards in the game if he can overcome his injury troubles.
Adama Traore (36.6 km/h)
Traore is known for his blistering pace and the ability to beat defenders with ease. At 36.6 km/h, the Fulham F.C. player has been ranked as one of the fastest footballers in the world. He plays as a right winger for Premier League club Fulham and the Spain national team. Traoré joined Fulham in August 2023 from Wolverhampton Wanderers, for whom he made 157 league appearances in total, scoring 10 goals and providing 13 assists.
Born in Spain to Malian parents, the 27-years-old speedster started his career at Barcelona before moving to Aston Villa and then Middlesbrough. His explosive speed, agility and dribbling skills have tormented Premier League defenders since joining Wolves in 2018. Traore’s pace and power allow him to accelerate past opponents and create chances, though his finishing and decision making could still improve.
Mohamed Salah (36.6 km/h)
Salah is known for his lightning speed and dribbling skills. At 36.6 km/h, Mohammed Salah is one of the fastest footballers in the world. His speed and agility make him a formidable forward for Liverpool and the Egypt national football team.
Darwin Nunez (36.53 km/h)
Uruguayan striker Darwin Nunez is one of the fastest footballers in the world with a top speed of 36.53 km/h. Nunez started his senior career with Peñarol in 2017 before moving to Spanish club Almería. His performances attracted the interest of Benfica, who signed him in 2019. Nunez’s speed, athleticism and eye for goal saw him thrive in Portugal, scoring 48 goals in 85 appearances.
In 2022, Nunez joined Liverpool for a fee of €85 million, making him one of the most expensive Uruguayan footballers of all time. At 6 feet 2 inches, Nunez is a formidable physical presence up front, using his pace and power to beat defenders. His speed and direct style of play have drawn comparisons to former Liverpool striker Luis Suarez. Still only 24, Nunez looks set to establish himself as one of the most feared strikers in world football.
Moussa Diaby (36.52 km/h)
Diaby is known for his blazing speed and the ability to accelerate past defenders. Moussa is a French professional footballer who plays as a winger or attacking midfielder for Premier League club Aston Villa and the France national team.
Diaby clocked at a top speed of 36.52 km/h, ranking him among the fastest footballers in the world. His rapid acceleration, agility and dribbling skills allow him to fly past opponents down the wing. Once Diaby gets into open space, his speed makes him nearly impossible to catch. His pace and dribbling are reminiscent of fellow French speedsters like Kylian Mbappé. While still refining his finishing and decision making, Diaby’s raw speed and potential have made him a prized prospect.
If Diaby can continue improving his end product to match his blistering pace, he could become one of the most dangerous wingers in Europe. His speed and skill already make him a nightmare to defend, and at only 24, his best years are still ahead of him.
Rafael Leao (36.5 km/h)
Rafael Leao, the Portuguese footballer who plays for AC Milan and the Portugal national team, is renowned for his rapid speed and acceleration. At just 24 years old, Leao already has a top speed of 36.5 km/h, earning him a spot as one of the fastest footballers in the world. His blistering pace allows him to beat defenders and create scoring opportunities, though his finishing still needs improvement. With age and experience, Leao is poised to become an even greater attacking threat thanks to his natural speed and skill.
Who is the Fastest Soccer Player in the World?
When determining the fastest soccer player, pure speed is not the only factor. Dribbling ability, acceleration, and ball control also play a role. Based on a combination of these attributes, Kylian Mbappé is considered by many to currently be the fastest soccer player in the world.
Conclusion
So there you have it, the fastest footballers gracing the pitch in 2023. These speed demons are a nightmare for any defender to handle. With pace, agility, and lightning-quick acceleration, they can turn a game on its head in the blink of an eye. Their blistering pace and skill are a sight to behold. Who do you think deserves the crown as the fastest footballer in the world? There’s no doubt that speed is an increasingly crucial attribute in today’s fast-paced, high-intensity game of football.