The 20 Fastest Players in Football History – Ranked

Football is a game of skill, strength, intelligence, and endurance — but few attributes strike fear into opponents quite like raw pace. Speed can completely transform a match, whether it’s a defender chasing back to stop a counterattack, a winger flying down the touchline, or a striker racing in behind to score. Throughout history, some players have looked more like sprinters than footballers, changing the way the game was played and thrilling fans with their explosive acceleration.
From legends of the past like George Best and Ronaldo Nazario to modern-day superstars like Kylian Mbappe and Alphonso Davies, speed has always been a defining factor in greatness. This ranking looks at 20 of the fastest footballers ever, based on both their recorded speeds and their undeniable impact on the pitch. Let’s start from number 20.

20. Karim Adeyemi

The young German forward has already carved out a reputation as one of the Bundesliga’s most dangerous speedsters. After bursting onto the scene at RB Salzburg, he carried his trademark explosiveness to Borussia Dortmund. In February 2023, he reached 36.7 km/h against Freiburg — the fastest speed ever recorded in Bundesliga history. Adeyemi’s ability to turn on the jets in a split second makes him one of the most exciting prospects in world football.

19. Aaron Lennon

Though small in stature, Aaron Lennon was a nightmare for defenders during his Premier League career. Known for his low center of gravity and searing pace, he specialized in beating full-backs on the outside before whipping in crosses. His simplicity made him effective: knock the ball past his man and sprint into space. Lennon’s speed gave Tottenham and England a constant outlet in attack, cementing his status as one of the league’s quickest wingers.

18. Quincy Owusu-Abeyie

Quincy Owusu-Abeyie’s career may not have reached its early promise, but his pace was undeniable. After impressing at Ajax, he joined Arsenal as a teenager and dazzled with blistering speed and flair. He scored a memorable double hat-trick for the U17s, showing just how explosive he could be. Though his career became more journeyman in nature, Quincy remains remembered for his raw athleticism and rapid acceleration.

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17. DaMarcus Beasley

DaMarcus Beasley burst onto the scene as one of the brightest American prospects in the late 1990s. His performances at the U17 World Cup highlighted his pace, earning him moves to European clubs like PSV and later Rangers. He could play as a winger or full-back, always using his quickness to trouble opponents. While he struggled to fully settle in the Premier League, Beasley’s pace was his trademark throughout a long international career.

16. George Best

George Best is often hailed as one of the most naturally gifted players in history — and his pace was a key part of that brilliance. The Manchester United legend glided across the pitch with elegance, effortlessly beating defenders with speed and skill. Best’s combination of balance, quickness, and dribbling was almost unplayable in the 1960s. Alongside his technical ability, his acceleration gave him the edge to dominate opponents and cement his status as an all-time great.

15. Hector Bellerin

Hector Bellerin became Arsenal’s speed merchant after breaking into the first team as a teenager. Known for his overlapping runs and recovery pace, he was considered one of the fastest players in the world at his peak. His acceleration allowed him to cover ground like few others, making him vital in both attack and defense. Sadly, injuries curtailed his rise, but his raw speed remains part of his legacy at Arsenal.

14. Arjen Robben

Arjen Robben was famed for his trademark move of cutting inside onto his left foot, but it was his pace that allowed him to pull it off so effectively. At Chelsea, Real Madrid, and especially Bayern Munich, defenders struggled to live with his acceleration and direct running. He left countless opponents behind, often finishing with a curling strike into the far corner. Even after retirement, Robben demonstrated his athleticism by competing in marathons, proving that speed never left him.

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13. Cristiano Ronaldo

Before becoming a goal machine, Cristiano Ronaldo was a dazzling winger with lightning pace. At Sporting Lisbon and Manchester United, he combined stepovers with explosive acceleration, regularly tearing past full-backs. His raw athleticism made him unplayable in one-on-one situations, while his work ethic allowed him to maintain his speed for years. Though his game evolved as he aged, prime Ronaldo was one of the fastest attackers the sport has ever seen.

12. Gareth Bale

Gareth Bale’s blend of power and pace was unmatched during his peak years. His most iconic sprint came in the 2014 Copa del Rey final, when he ran off the pitch to outpace Marc Bartra before scoring a stunning goal. That moment summed up his career — unstoppable when in full flight. Bale’s world-record move to Real Madrid highlighted just how valuable his speed and athleticism were at the top level.

11. Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang

Aubameyang’s speed made him one of the deadliest strikers of his generation. Defenders were constantly left chasing shadows as he darted in behind backlines for Dortmund and Arsenal. His movement, combined with clinical finishing, made him a nightmare to defend against. Even as his career progressed, his lightning acceleration remained his greatest asset.

10. Kyle Walker

Kyle Walker has often been described as the hardest opponent modern wingers have faced. His recovery pace allows him to make tackles that seem impossible, often rescuing Manchester City’s defense. Going forward, he adds width and power, surging past opponents with ease. Walker’s speed has been central to City’s dominance in English football.

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9. Micky van de Ven

Micky van de Ven has redefined what a centre-back can be. Traditionally, defenders in his position relied on positioning and strength, but Van de Ven combines that with blistering pace. He recorded the fastest speed in Premier League history, reaching 37.12 km/h against Manchester United. At just 23 years old, his speed makes him one of the most exciting defenders in the world.

8. Ronaldo Nazario

Known simply as “R9,” Ronaldo Nazario was footballing perfection in motion. At his best, he combined astonishing speed with strength, dribbling, and finishing. Defenders had no answer when he burst through on goal, and goalkeepers could only watch him glide past before scoring. Injuries sadly limited his career, but his explosive pace remains legendary.

7. Thierry Henry

Thierry Henry’s pace was perhaps his most feared weapon during his Arsenal days. He often collected the ball deep, accelerated past multiple defenders, and finished with trademark composure. His elegance and speed made him the Premier League’s most iconic striker. Henry’s blend of pace, power, and skill elevated him to one of the game’s greatest ever forwards.

6. Theo Walcott

Theo Walcott’s potential was clear from the moment he was taken to the 2006 World Cup at just 17. His pace was breathtaking, often leaving defenders helpless as he sprinted down the wing. Though he never fully reached the heights many expected, Walcott remained a key player for Arsenal and England. His speed ensured he was always a danger, regardless of form.

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5. Adama Traore

Adama Traore is one of football’s most unique athletes, combining raw pace with extraordinary strength. His acceleration is so explosive that defenders often resorted to fouling him to stop his runs. At Wolves, he famously applied baby oil to his arms to prevent opponents from grabbing onto him. If his end product matched his pace, he could have been one of the game’s very best.

4. Obafemi Martins

Obafemi Martins was so fast he earned the maximum 99 pace rating in Pro Evolution Soccer. The Nigerian striker thrived on explosive sprints, often leaving defenders stranded. His time at Inter Milan and Newcastle showcased just how lethal he was on the break. Martins himself has claimed no player — not even Mbappe or Henry — was faster than him.

3. Kylian Mbappe

Kylian Mbappe is already one of the most feared forwards in the world, thanks largely to his lightning acceleration. His ability to go from a standing start to full speed in seconds makes him unplayable at times. A World Cup winner and multiple-time league champion, he’s combined his pace with elite finishing. Still only in his mid-20s, Mbappe could go down as the fastest forward in football history.

2. Achraf Hakimi

Hakimi’s speed has been a weapon at every club he’s played for, from Real Madrid to Dortmund, Inter, and PSG. He broke Bundesliga sprint records twice in 2019, proving just how devastating his acceleration is. Operating as a wing-back, his pace allows him to contribute in attack and recover in defense. Hakimi’s speed makes him one of the most versatile and dangerous full-backs in the game.

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1. Alphonso Davies

Alphonso Davies is football’s answer to an Olympic sprinter. He famously reached 37.1 km/h in a World Cup qualifier for Canada, underlining his incredible acceleration. At Bayern Munich, his pace allows him to bomb forward as a left-back while still recovering defensively. Thomas Müller once joked that Davies has “a turbo in his back,” and few would disagree.