Pace is a vital trait in football, influencing every role on the pitch. It allows defenders to recover, attackers to break away, and midfielders to cover ground efficiently.
When a player lacks speed, it becomes a clear weakness, often exploited by opponents who run past them repeatedly. On the other hand, teams with fast players often build their strategy around that advantage, pushing them to constantly test their rivals.
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Throughout football history, some athletes have displayed extraordinary speed, rivaling that of professional sprinters, making it tough to rank them definitively. ..Continue Reading
Legends like Thierry Henry and Ronaldo were among the fastest in their era, while 2025 showcases stars such as Kylian Mbappe, Alphonso Davies, and Achraf Hakimi. With that in mind, here’s a look at the 20 fastest footballers ever.
20. Quincy Owusu-Abeyie
Notable Clubs Played For: Arsenal
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After developing at Ajax, Quincy Owusu-Abeyie joined Arsenal at just 16 and quickly showed his potential. In the 2002/2003 season, he netted 17 goals in 20 U17 matches, including a double hat-trick against Wolves.
Known for his speed, his career spanned multiple clubs, but his standout moment came when he scored his first goal for Arsenal against Everton in the League Cup during the 2004/2005 season.
19. Karim Adeyemi
Notable Clubs Played For: Borussia Dortmund
Karim Adeyemi has been one of the most dynamic players since emerging at RB Salzburg.
After moving to Borussia Dortmund, he became a standout in the Bundesliga. In February 2023, he set a league record by reaching a top speed of 36.7 km/h in a match against Freiburg.
18. Aaron Lennon
Notable Clubs Played For: Leeds United, Tottenham
Aaron Lennon, despite his small stature, was a nightmare for defenders due to his speed. His signature move involved sprinting past full-backs, reaching the byline, and delivering crosses or cutbacks.
His pace was a defining feature throughout his Premier League career.
17. DaMarcus Beasley
Notable Clubs Played For: PSV, Rangers
DaMarcus Beasley gained attention after a standout performance at the 1999 U17 FIFA World Cup.
Though he impressed at Chicago Fire, his move to Manchester City didn’t pan out as hoped. Still, his speed made him a threat on both flanks.
16. George Best
Notable Clubs Played For: Man United
George Best was a complete player, winning the 1968 Ballon d’Or and dazzling fans with his dribbling and speed.
He could glide past defenders effortlessly and used his pace, balance, and technique to dominate matches and score prolifically.
15. Hector Bellerin
Notable Clubs Played For: Arsenal, Barcelona
Though trained at La Masia, Hector Bellerin became synonymous with Arsenal.
He quickly adapted to the Premier League and was recognized as one of the fastest players globally. His career was disrupted by an ACL injury, but his early performances were electric.
14. Arjen Robben
Notable Clubs Played For: Chelsea, Real Madrid, Bayern Munich
Arjen Robben was famous for cutting inside from the right and scoring with precision. His speed helped him excel at top clubs and win numerous trophies.
Even post-retirement, he showcased his athleticism by completing the Rotterdam marathon in 2024 with a time of 2:58:33.
13. Cristiano Ronaldo
Notable Clubs Played For: Man United, Real Madrid, Juventus
Cristiano Ronaldo is one of football’s all-time greats. While his pace has declined with age, his early years at Sporting Lisbon and Manchester United were marked by explosive speed.
He combined skill and acceleration to leave defenders behind and built a legendary career, winning five Ballon d’Or titles.
12. Gareth Bale
Notable Clubs Played For: Tottenham, Real Madrid
Gareth Bale is widely regarded as one of the finest players to come out of Britain, helping elevate Wales from a lesser-known footballing nation to reaching the semi-finals of the European Championships.
Gifted with every trait a top player could ask for, Bale made his mark in every team he joined, leading to a record-breaking transfer to Real Madrid in 2013. Among many standout moments, his speed was most memorably displayed in the 2014 Copa del Rey final.
Operating on the left flank, Bale nudged the ball past Marc Bartra, who shoved him off the pitch, yet Bale kept sprinting, overtook Bartra, and scored—one of the most iconic demonstrations of pace ever seen. Though injuries affected his career, Bale remained an extraordinary athlete with unmatched speed.
11. Kyle Walker
Notable Clubs Played For: Tottenham, Man City
Ask Premier League wingers about their toughest opponent, and many will name Kyle Walker. The England right-back played a crucial role in Manchester City’s run of four straight league titles, with his speed and strength forming the backbone of their defense.
Known for his incredible recovery runs, Walker often appears out of nowhere to shut down attacks. Whether defending or pushing forward, his acceleration is unmatched.
Though his technical skills have faced scrutiny, his pace has consistently set him apart, making him one of the league’s top full-backs.
10. Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang
Notable Clubs Played For: Borussia Dortmund, Arsenal, Barcelona, Chelsea
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s blistering speed made him one of the most feared forwards of his era. But it wasn’t just his pace—his sharp movement and clinical finishing, especially at Borussia Dortmund, made him a top target across Europe.
After joining Arsenal, he continued to score regularly and captained the team to an FA Cup win. For teams needing a striker who could stretch defenses and make runs behind the back line, Aubameyang was the ideal choice throughout the 2010s.
9. Micky van de Ven
Notable Clubs Played For: Wolfsburg, Tottenham
Tottenham’s Micky van de Ven holds the record for the fastest speed ever recorded in the Premier League since 2020/21. His athleticism has redefined expectations for central defenders, moving away from the stereotype of slow, bulky players.
Strikers now struggle to escape his tracking runs, with Van de Ven clocking 37.12 km/h against Manchester United in 2024.
Agile, composed, and lightning-fast, he’s a nightmare for attackers and one of the quickest players the game has seen—despite being only 23.
8. Ronaldo Nazario
Notable Clubs Played For: Barcelona, Inter Milan, Real Madrid, AC Milan
Ronaldo Nazario is remembered for his extraordinary talent and the unfortunate injuries that limited his career. The Brazilian striker had everything—technique, strength, and explosive speed—that made him unstoppable at his peak.
He frequently broke through defenses, rounded goalkeepers, and scored with ease. His pace was a defining feature of his game, and had injuries not intervened, his legacy would have been even greater.
7. Thierry Henry
Notable Clubs Played For: Arsenal, Barcelona
Thierry Henry is considered one of the greatest forwards ever, and his use of pace was second to none. The French striker, often compared to Mbappe in style, is widely seen as the best to play in the Premier League.
His control, dribbling, finishing, and speed made him untouchable. He often carried the ball from deep, bypassed entire defenses, and scored with flair. Many opponents have called him the toughest they’ve faced, with his sprinting ability rivaling elite track athletes.
6. Theo Walcott
Notable Clubs Played For: Southampton, Arsenal, Everton
Theo Walcott burst onto the scene with incredible speed, earning a spot in England’s 2006 World Cup squad at just 17.
After making waves at Southampton, he joined Arsenal at 16, bringing with him immense potential and rapid acceleration.
Walcott’s pace allowed him to glide past defenders and drive his team forward. Though his position varied between winger and striker, and he didn’t fully meet early expectations, he still enjoyed a successful career.
Known for his speed, he was rumored to run 100 meters in 11.58 seconds at age 14—suggesting he could’ve pursued athletics if football hadn’t worked out.
5.
Adama Traore
Notable Clubs Played For: Barcelona, Wolves, Fulham
If Adama Traore’s technique matched his physical strength, he would be considered among the greatest to ever play the sport. Exceptionally powerful and lightning-fast, the Spanish winger is nearly impossible to stop when he’s at full speed. Despite his incredible athleticism, he’s often criticized for lacking consistency and composure in attacking situations.
During his time at Molineux, Traore’s speed was so overwhelming that defenders resorted to fouling him, unable to keep up. He even began applying baby oil to his arms to prevent opponents from grabbing him, showing how far teams would go to slow him down.
A natural athlete with explosive acceleration, Traore’s pace is truly remarkable and could even suit a career in American football.
4. Obafemi Martins
Notable Clubs Played For: Inter Milan, Newcastle United
Obafemi Martins’ speed was so highly regarded that he received a maximum 99 rating for pace in Pro Evolution Soccer 2008, a testament to his reputation.
The Nigerian striker was electrifying from the moment he emerged, and though raw early on, he delivered moments of brilliance—such as scoring in Inter’s 3-0 win over Arsenal in the Champions League at Highbury.
Martins has spoken openly about his speed. When asked if anyone was faster than him, including players like Kylian Mbappe and Thierry Henry, he said: “No player, go back to Inter [Milan] and ask them about me”.
3. Kylian Mbappe
Notable Clubs Played For: PSG, Real Madrid
Kylian Mbappe is one of the few players to score a hat trick in a World Cup final and has been a global sensation since debuting at 17.
With composure, strength, and blistering speed, Mbappe possesses everything needed to become one of football’s all-time greats. He scores effortlessly wherever he plays, and his pace is a major reason defenders struggle against him. His ability to accelerate instantly from a standstill makes him a constant threat, especially when cutting inside from wide areas.
A generational talent with the potential to win the Ballon d’Or, Mbappe’s speed is one of the many qualities that make him so dangerous.
2. Achraf Hakimi
Notable Clubs Played For: Real Madrid, Inter Milan, Borussia Dortmund, PSG
Achraf Hakimi, still in his mid-20s, has already played for some of the world’s top clubs, including Real Madrid and Borussia Dortmund. While at Dortmund, he set and then broke the Bundesliga’s speed record within months.
Now at PSG, Hakimi continues to showcase his pace, primarily in attacking runs rather than defensive recoveries. He’s a vital part of PSG’s offensive setup and is widely recognized as one of the fastest players in football history.
1. Alphonso Davies
Notable Clubs Played For: Bayern Munich
Alphonso Davies reached a top speed of 37.1 km/h during Canada’s World Cup qualifier against Panama, placing him among the fastest athletes in football. His Bayern Munich teammate, Thomas Muller, summed it up best:
“Alphonso is a player with a lot of heart and with a lot of power, with extreme power. Sometimes maybe he’s not in the best position on the field but he gets the opponent when he thinks ‘oh I have time, I have time’ and then meep meep, meep meep! The FC Bayern Road Runner comes and steals the ball.”
That speed was evident in a pre-season match between Liverpool and Bayern Munich, when Davies chased down a loose ball ahead of Mohamed Salah, despite the Egyptian having a head start. Davies’ burst left Salah stunned and confirmed his reputation as one of the fastest players in the game.
All statistics correct as of 10/11/2025 via Transfermarkt.
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