Speed is an irreplaceable asset in football. Few things are as terrifying to defenders as a blisteringly fast winger, weaving and darting while charging towards the backline. Legends like Ronaldo (the Brazilian), Thierry Henry, and Fernando Torres terrorized defenses with their pace, while modern stars like Mohamed Salah and Bukayo Saka leave defenders in their wake. But who are the fastest football players in the world today?
The Role of Pace in Modern Football- Fastest Football Players
Football has always relied on speed, stamina, and skill, but with today’s athletes reaching unprecedented fitness levels, the old adage “you can’t teach speed” holds more truth than ever. Quickness is particularly vital for attackers who need to outpace defenders to latch onto through balls or finish counter-attacks. Wingers, in particular, must be fast; otherwise, their role becomes ineffective.
Gone are the days of the lumbering target men who waited in the box for the perfect cross. In modern football, even data on player speed was unavailable until recently, leaving us without definitive measurements for legends like Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi in their early careers. However, in the 2023/24 season, some surprising names emerged among the fastest footballers on the planet.
The Fastest Players Are Often the Best- Fastest Football Players
Historically, some of the best forwards in the game have also been among the fastest. Original Ronaldo combined pace with power, while Cristiano Ronaldo’s terrifying speed and skill often left defenders flailing. Today, the likes of Salah and Saka continue that tradition with their blistering pace on the wings.
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On the left, players like Mikel Oyarzabal, Vinícius Júnior, Rafael Leão, and Luis Díaz bring similar lightning speed, turning defenders inside out with their quick feet and acceleration. Oyarzabal, in particular, had a fantastic UEFA EURO 2024 campaign, scoring the winning goal in Spain’s 2-1 victory over England in the final, while reaching a top speed of 32.10 km/h. Vinícius Júnior, however, is the fastest player in La Liga, clocking an incredible 36 km/h in the 2023/24 season.
Fastest Players in the English Premier League- Fastest Football Players
Thierry Henry is often considered one of the fastest players in Premier League history, reaching an astounding 39.20 km/h in 1998. Despite the influx of new talent, no player has surpassed that top speed. However, stars like Erling Haaland continue to impress with deceptive speed, recording 36.22 km/h against Brighton in the 2022/23 season.
Although Mohamed Salah, Bukayo Saka, and Haaland are among the best attackers in the Premier League, Anthony Gordon holds the fastest speed in the 2023/24 season, reaching 36.68 km/h. Chiedozie Ogbene, though, surpassed them all with an astonishing 36.93 km/h against Luton Town, earning him the title of the fastest player in the EPL that season.
Fastest Defenders in the World
The best defenders possess exceptional speed, enabling them to recover and track back quickly after turnovers. Legendary Brazilian fullbacks like Cafu and Roberto Carlos were known for their pace, and today’s fullbacks follow suit.
Tottenham’s Micky van de Ven currently holds the title of the fastest-ever player in Premier League history, clocking an incredible 37.38 km/h in January 2024 against Brentford. Other defenders, like Kyle Walker (37.31 km/h), Antonio Rüdiger (37.7 km/h), and Virgil van Dijk (34.5 km/h), are also known for their impressive speed.
How Fast is Kylian Mbappé?- Fastest Football Players
In 2018/19, Kylian Mbappé set Ligue 1 alight with his speed, reaching 38 km/h during a 50-meter sprint. While Mbappé remains one of the fastest forwards in world football, he didn’t make the top 10 fastest players of 2024.
List of 10 Fastest Football Players in 2024
| Rank | Player | Fixture | Top Speed (km/h) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Micky van de Ven | Tottenham vs. Brentford | 37.38 |
| 2 | Chiedozie Ogbene | Fulham vs. Luton | 36.93 |
| 3 | Anthony Elanga | Tottenham vs. Nottingham Forest | 36.91 |
| 4 | Pedro Neto | Luton vs. Wolves | 36.86 |
| 5 | Jakub Moder | Sheffield United vs. Brighton | 36.84 |
| 6 | Dominik Szoboszlai | Wolves vs. Liverpool | 36.76 |
| 7 | Dara O’Shea | Burnley vs. Crystal Palace | 36.73 |
| 8 | Anthony Gordon | Newcastle vs. Burnley | 36.68 |
| 9 | Amadou Onana | Everton vs. Liverpool | 36.65 |
| 10 | Eren Dinkçi | FC Heidenheim 1846 | 36.41 |
Speed and Longevity: Messi vs. Ronaldo
While Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo have often been compared in many aspects, Ronaldo has always held the edge in speed. Messi’s top-recorded speed was 32.50 km/h during his Barcelona days, while Ronaldo reached 34 km/h at the 2018 FIFA World Cup. Neither, however, can outrun Father Time.
In conclusion, while the likes of Salah, Haaland, and Mbappé are known for their speed, it’s Micky van de Ven who claims the top spot as the fastest footballer in the world in 2024.
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