Speed in football is what gets us off our seats; that magic burst of pace to beat a defender, skip a tackle or round the keeper. The fastest football players terrify the opposition, make headlines and clock up millions of views on YouTube. Acceleration and top speed are weapons that take a superstar from great to greatest.If you know your football, you might have your own list of the fastest footballers of all-time.
Cristano Ronaldo? Gareth Gale? Thierry Henry? Lionel Messi?
There wasn’t always accurate technology to clock speedsters - like when Arjen Robben reached 37km/hr for The Netherlands against Spain in the 2014 FIFA World Cup - that was later downgraded to 31km/hr.
Today, thanks to GPS trackers in football, knowing your speed on the pitch has never been easier or more precise.
Of course, speed records get beaten all of the time. Reaching the top is one thing; staying there is far tougher. As you’ll see below, there are also a lot of world-class footballers who can reach similar speeds.
So, who are the fastest football players in the world?
Kyle Walker (Manchester City) - 37.31 km
Kyle Walker, the right-back for Manchester City, is undeniably one of the fastest football players in the world. With an impressive speed of 37.31 km/h, he is a force to be reckoned with on the pitch. Walker's incredible acceleration and agility enable him to cover vast amounts of ground in a matter of seconds, making him an invaluable asset to his team. His lightning-fast speed allows him to outrun opponents, track back to defend, and launch counterattacks with ease. It's no wonder that Walker is widely regarded as one of the best defenders in the game today. His speed is just one of the many attributes that make him a standout player, but it's certainly one that sets him apart from the rest.
Brennan Johnson (Nottingham Forest) - 36.70 km/h
Brennan Johnson, the young midfielder for Nottingham Forest, is another player who has made waves with his impressive speed on the pitch. Clocking in at 36.70 km/h during the 2022/23 season, Johnson has proven himself to be a formidable force in the midfield. His speed and agility allow him to evade defenders and create scoring opportunities for his team. Johnson's talent hasn't gone unnoticed, as he has already been called up to the Welsh national team at just 20 years old. With his lightning-fast speed and natural talent, Johnson is a player to watch in the coming years.
Karim Edeyemi (Borussia Dortmund) - 36.65km/h
Karim Edeyemi is a rising star in the world of football and has made quite an impression with his lightning-fast speed on the pitch. Playing for Borussia Dortmund, Edeyemi has been clocked at an impressive 36.65km/h during the 2022/23 football season. The young midfielder's speed and agility allow him to dart past defenders and create scoring opportunities for his team with ease. Edeyemi's talent has not gone unnoticed, and he is quickly becoming one of the most sought-after players in the game. With his impressive speed and natural talent, Edeyemi is definitely a player to keep an eye on in the coming years.
Mykhailo Mudryk (Chelsea) - 36.63 km/h
Mykhailo Mudryk, a Ukrainian winger currently playing for Chelsea, has been clocked at an impressive speed of 36.63 km/h during the 2022/23 football season. Known for his pace and quick feet, Mudryk is a dynamic player who can play on either wing and cause havoc for opposition defenders. He is adept at running with the ball and creating scoring opportunities for his teammates, making him an invaluable asset to the Chelsea squad. Despite being a relatively new addition to the club, Mudryk has already made a name for himself as one of the fastest players on the pitch. With his lightning-fast speed and natural talent, he is definitely a player to watch in the coming years.
Ousmane Dembélé (Barcelona) - 36.6hm/h
Ousmane Dembélé is a French winger who currently plays for Barcelona. He is known for his lightning-fast speed and agility on the pitch, which make him a formidable force to reckon with. With a top speed of 36.6km/h during the 2022/23 football season, Dembélé is one of the fastest footballers in the world. His ability to accelerate quickly and evade defenders is second to none, and he has a knack for creating scoring opportunities for his teammates with his slick passes and crosses. Dembélé's talent has not gone unnoticed, and he has already won numerous accolades and awards for his performances on the pitch. With his impressive speed and natural talent, he is definitely a player to watch in the coming years.
Sheraldo Becker (FC Union Berlin) - 36.57km/h
FC Union Berlin's Dutch winger, Sheraldo Becker, has firmly established himself as one of the fastest footballers in the world with his impressive top speed of 36.57km/h during the 2022/23 season. His unmatched speed and agility allow him to quickly leave defenders in his wake and create opportunities for his team to score. Becker's skills have not gone unnoticed, and he has already made a name for himself as one of the most thrilling and speedy players to watch in the Bundesliga. With his natural ability and remarkable pace, Becker is a player to watch out for in the coming years.
Alphonso Davies (FC Bayern München) - 36.53km/h
Alphonso Davies is a Canadian footballer who currently plays for FC Bayern München. He is known for his lightning-fast speed on the pitch, which makes him a valuable asset to his team. During the 2022/23 football season, Davies was clocked at an impressive speed of 36.53km/h. His ability to accelerate quickly and outrun defenders is a sight to behold, and he has a knack for creating scoring opportunities for his teammates with his precise crosses and passes. Davies' talent has not gone unnoticed, and he has already won several awards, including the Bundesliga Rookie of the Year in the 2019/20 season. With his impressive speed and natural talent, he is definitely a player to watch in the coming years.
Rafael Leão (AC Milan) - 36.5 km/h
Rafael Leão, the young Portuguese forward for AC Milan, has been making waves in the football world with his impressive speed and agility on the pitch. During the 2022/23 football season, Leão was recorded at an impressive top speed of 36.5 km/h, which firmly places him among the fastest footballers in the world. His remarkable pace and innate talent make him a formidable opponent, and he has a knack for creating scoring opportunities for his team. With his potential and exceptional speed, Leão is undoubtedly a player to keep an eye on in the coming years as he establishes himself as one of the game's rising stars.
* Stats are from the 2022/23 football season with player speeds compiled by each football league and other sources.
Bundesliga Stats 22/23
Premier League Stats 22/23
Ligue 1 Stats 22/23
Names like Erling Haaland & Kylian Mbappe are missing, (despite being very fast) because they were pipped over the course of the 22/23 season - but we’re talking fractions.
Previously, Netherlands defender Sven Botman (Newcastle United) has been clocked at 39.21km/h while Darwin Nunez (Liverpool) is just behind at 38km/h and France & Paris Saint-Germain striker Mbappé has hit 37.9km/h.
Of course, reaching a top speed once in a moment is impressive but eye-catching speeds continuously and game after game is what really stands out.
How fast can you run?
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