Football’s Fastest: Top 15 fastest players – Ranked from lowest to highest

August 25, 2025 Kris Isaksen

Speed has always separated the great from the unstoppable. In a game of tight margins, pace allows players to break lines, chase lost causes, and leave defenders in the dust. Here’s a countdown of the 15 fastest footballers in history—ranked from legendary icons to today's turbo-charged stars.

15. George Best – A Genius with Jet-Fuelled Feet

George Best didn’t need stats to prove his speed. His quick acceleration and balance made him a nightmare for defenders in the 60s and 70s. A true dribbler with pace to match, Best left a legacy of brilliance both on and off the pitch.

14. Arjen Robben – The Flying Dutchman

Robben's signature move, cutting in from the right, was only possible because of his explosive pace. He terrorized defences at Bayern, Real Madrid, and Chelsea, and even after retirement, he ran a sub-3-hour marathon in 2024, proving he’s still got it.

13. Cristiano Ronaldo – A Speed Demon in His Youth

While Ronaldo’s later years were more about finishing, his early career at Man United was all about pace and power. He’d fly past full-backs with dazzling footwork and raw acceleration. His speed was a key tool on his path to five Ballon d’Ors.

12. Gareth Bale – That Copa del Rey Goal

Gareth Bale’s blistering run in the 2014 Copa del Rey final is one of the most iconic speed moments in football. He sprinted around the defender, off the pitch, and still got there first to score. Injuries slowed him later, but in his prime, Bale was electric.

11. Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang – Clinical and Quick

Aubameyang blended movement, instinct, and devastating pace. His ability to time runs and stretch defences made him a lethal striker, particularly at Dortmund and Arsenal. Few defenders could keep up when he hit full stride.

10. Kyle Walker – The Recovery Machine

Walker’s recovery speed has saved Manchester City countless times. He’s often cited as one of the hardest defenders to beat thanks to his burst of pace. Whether chasing down wingers or bombing forward, Walker’s speed is unmatched at right-back.

9. Micky van de Ven – A New Breed of Centre-Back

With a Premier League record top speed of 37.12 km/h, Van de Ven is redefining what centre-backs can do. His pace allows him to cover massive distances and track even the quickest forwards. At just 23, his speed is frightening.

8. Ronaldo Nazário – Explosive and Elegant

Ronaldo Luís Nazário de Lima — Andreu Dalmau/Epa-Efe/Ritzau Scanpix

‘R9’ could dribble, finish, and sprint like few ever could. The Brazilian was unstoppable in his prime, often rounding keepers after outrunning entire defences. Injuries limited his career, but his pace was a crucial part of his legend.

7. Thierry Henry – The Premier League's King of Pace

Henry’s speed made him the most feared forward of his era. He glided past defenders with ease, combining pace with precision to score stunning solo goals. No one could catch him when he was in full flow at Arsenal.

6. Theo Walcott – Born to Run

Walcott was clocking elite times before he even hit adulthood. His pace earned him a World Cup call-up at 17, and while he never fully reached superstardom, his speed was never in doubt. Whether as a winger or striker, he was always quick off the mark.

5. Adama Traoré – Pure Power and Pace

Traoré might be the most physically explosive player ever. His sprints down the wing often forced defenders to foul him because they simply couldn’t keep up. While he lacks end product at times, his straight-line speed is unmatched.

4. Obafemi Martins – 99 Speed for a Reason

Martins’ video game speed rating wasn’t a fluke. The Nigerian striker was lightning quick and always a threat on the counter. He even claimed nobody, not even Mbappé, could match him in his prime.

3. Kylian Mbappé – Acceleration Extraordinaire

Mbappé goes from zero to top speed in a heartbeat. That explosive burst, combined with his finishing, makes him one of the most feared players on the planet. His pace has already helped him win a World Cup and a place in football history.

2. Achraf Hakimi – The Speedster from the Wing

Hakimi has clocked record speeds in both Germany and France. His runs from deep are deadly, often setting up goals or creating chaos in opposition defences. Fast, technical, and relentless, Hakimi is built for the modern game.

1. Alphonso Davies – The Fastest Ever

Davies holds the top recorded speed in football: 37.1 km/h. Known as the “Road Runner” by teammates, his ability to recover and outrun anyone is jaw-dropping. From defence to attack, his speed defines his style—and terrifies opponents.