Fastest Footballer in the World: Top 10 Speed Demons Revealed

2025-11-13 09:00

I remember watching Kylian Mbappé sprint down the pitch during last year's Champions League quarterfinal, and I couldn't believe my eyes. The way he left defenders in his dust made me wonder - just how fast can footballers actually run? Having followed football for over fifteen years, I've seen some incredible athletes, but the current generation seems to be taking speed to another level entirely. While researching this topic, I came across an interesting piece about Austria's team struggling in the Commissioner's Cup but determined to make their mark in the EASL, particularly in their upcoming away match against Eastern. This got me thinking about how crucial raw speed has become in modern football, especially when teams need to bounce back from difficult situations.

Let me share my personal ranking of what I consider the ten fastest footballers currently gracing the pitch. Now, I should mention that measuring football speed isn't as straightforward as looking at track times - we're talking about players with the ball at their feet, making split-second decisions while defenders are breathing down their necks. At number ten, I'd place Bayern Munich's Alphonso Davies, who reportedly hit 35.3 km/h during last season's Bundesliga. What's incredible about Davies is how he maintains control while moving at such breathtaking speeds. I recall watching him against Barcelona where he basically turned the left flank into his personal racetrack.

Moving up the list, we have Liverpool's Mohamed Salah at number nine. Now some might argue he should be higher, and I get it - the man seems to get faster as the game goes on. His acceleration over the first ten yards is what really sets him apart in my view. I've noticed he often saves his top gear for when defenders are already tiring, which makes his bursts even more devastating. Then there's Erling Haaland at number eight - for such a tall, powerful striker, his ability to reach top speed while maintaining perfect balance is just unnatural. I saw him play against West Ham last season where he covered 30 meters in under 4 seconds, which is just ridiculous for someone who's 6'4".

The middle of my list gets really interesting. At seven I've got Achraf Hakimi - the PSG defender who might just be the fastest right-back I've ever seen. His recovery speed is something else entirely. I remember one particular play where he got beaten near the midfield line and still managed to track back and make a crucial tackle inside the penalty area. Then we have six - Adama Traoré. Now this guy is basically a freight train with footwork. I've seen defenders just bounce off him when he hits full stride. His combination of power and speed is something I don't think we've seen since the prime days of Ronaldo Nazário.

Breaking into my top five, we have Kylian Mbappé at number five. I know, I know - many would put him higher, but hear me out. While his top speed is phenomenal - he's been clocked at 36 km/h - what impresses me more is his acceleration. The way he can go from standing still to full throttle in two or three steps is what makes him so special in my book. At number four, I'm going with Bayern's Leroy Sané. When he's in form, there are very few who can match his pace down the wings. I particularly love watching him in counter-attacking situations where he has space to build up speed gradually.

My top three might surprise some people. At number three, I've got Rafael Leão from AC Milan. This guy's long strides make him look like he's gliding rather than running. What's remarkable is how he maintains his speed while dribbling - most players slow down when they've got the ball at their feet, but Leão actually seems to speed up. Number two goes to Vinícius Júnior. His change of pace is what really sets him apart - he can go from jogging to full sprint in what seems like an instant. I've lost count of how many times I've seen defenders just give up chasing him because they know it's hopeless.

And my number one fastest footballer in the world? It has to be Dortmund's Karim Adeyemi. Now I know some readers might be raising their eyebrows, but let me explain. Last season, he was clocked at 36.5 km/h, which is the fastest recorded speed I've seen in recent years. But beyond the numbers, what makes him my top pick is how he uses that speed in game situations. I watched him against Bayern where he started from near his own penalty area and outran three defenders to score - it was one of those moments that just makes you jump out of your seat.

Thinking back to that Austria team I mentioned earlier, their determination to put on a strong performance in the EASL starting with their away match against Eastern reminds me how crucial having speedy players can be when trying to turn a season around. Speed isn't just about fancy statistics - it's about changing games in moments, creating opportunities out of nothing, and putting constant pressure on opponents. In modern football, where margins are so thin, having that extra gear can be the difference between struggling in domestic competitions and making a statement on the continental stage.

What I find fascinating is how different players use their speed in various ways. Some, like Mbappé, use it as their primary weapon, constantly threatening behind defensive lines. Others, like Davies, use it more selectively but just as effectively. Then there are players like Haaland who combine it with incredible physical presence. This variety is what makes football so exciting to watch - there's no single blueprint for how to utilize speed effectively.

As the game continues to evolve, I suspect we'll see even faster players emerging. The emphasis on athletic development in youth academies means the next generation will likely push these boundaries even further. But for now, watching these speed demons weave their magic on the pitch remains one of football's greatest pleasures. There's just something magical about seeing a player hit top gear and leave everyone else chasing shadows - it's moments like these that remind me why I fell in love with this beautiful game in the first place.