The top 16 fastest soccer players ever: unveiling the speedsters

The pursuit of speed has always fascinated the world of soccer, captivating fans and players alike. When it comes to the fastest soccer players ever, a select group of athletes has left an indelible mark on the game with their lightning-fast pace and breathtaking speed displays.

Throughout the sport's history, certain players have possessed a rare combination of lightning-fast pace and exceptional skill, leaving opponents in their dust. In this article, we embark on a journey through time to explore the top 10 fastest football players ever.

Top 16 fastest soccer players of all time

Soccer has been graced by an array of incredibly fast players throughout history. Their remarkable physical attributes and technical skills have elevated them to the status of legends in the game.

Our compilation includes players who have consistently showcased their speed and agility throughout multiple seasons, proving their capabilities time and time again on the field. So, who is the fastest soccer player ever?

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The list of top 16 fastest soccer players of all time

16. Cristiano Ronaldo - 33.95 km/h

• Full name: Cristiano Ronaldo dos Santos Aveiro
• Date of birth: 5 February 1985
• Age: 39 years (as of 2024)
• Place of birth: Hospital Dr. Nélio Mendonça, Funchal, Portugal

Cristiano Ronaldo, the Portuguese superstar, is not only recognised for his remarkable goal-scoring ability but also for his incredible speed. With a top speed of approximately 33.95 kilometres per hour, Ronaldo possesses explosive acceleration and agility.

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Throughout his illustrious career, playing for clubs such as Manchester United, Real Madrid, Juventus, and the Portuguese national team, Christiano Ronaldo has consistently displayed his exceptional physical attributes. His speed, strength, and skill have allowed him to burst past defenders and create scoring opportunities.

15. Antonio Valencia - 35.1 km/h

• Full name: Luis Antonio Valencia Mosquera
• Date of birth: 4 August 1985
• Age: 38 years (as of 2024)
• Place of birth: Nueva Loja, Ecuador

The Ecuadorian winger Antonio Valencia was known for his blistering speed on the soccer field. He consistently showcased his exceptional velocity throughout his career, leaving defenders struggling to keep up with his explosive bursts of pace. Valencia's speed was evident in his sprints down the wing and his ability to cover ground quickly, making him an asset in both attacking and defensive situations.

One of the fastest players in Premier League history, his rapid acceleration and agility allowed him to create scoring opportunities and provide dangerous crosses into the box. Valencia's reputation as a speed demon solidified his status as one of the fastest players during his time at Manchester United and beyond.

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14. Leroy Sané - 35.9 km/h

• Full name: Leroy Aziz Sané
• Date of birth: 11 January 1996
• Age: 28 years (as of 2024)
• Place of birth: Essen, Germany

Leroy Sané, the German winger, is widely recognised for his electrifying speed on the soccer field. Blessed with exceptional velocity, Sané's explosive bursts have left defenders trailing behind him. His remarkable acceleration and agility enable him to glide effortlessly past opponents, creating scoring opportunities for himself and his teammates.

Sané's speed has been a key asset in his success, making him a formidable force and an exciting player to watch for both club and country. Whether he is sprinting down the wing or making incisive runs through the middle, Leroy Sané's speed remains a prominent weapon in his arsenal.

13. Kylian Mbappé - 36 km/h

• Full name: Kylian Mbappé
• Date of birth: 20 December 1998
• Age: 25 years (as of 2024)
• Place of birth: 19th arrondissement, Paris, France

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Kylian Mbappé, the young French sensation, has taken the soccer world by storm with his incredible speed and skill. With a top speed of approximately 36 kilometres per hour (22.4 miles per hour), Mbappé ranks among the fastest soccer players ever.

With lightning-fast acceleration and incredible top speed, Mbappé leaves defenders in his wake as he zooms past them. His ability to maintain his speed over long distances and his agility in tight spaces make him a nightmare for opposing defences. Kylian Mbappé rapid bursts and quickness have propelled him to become one of the most exciting and sought-after young talents in soccer today, cementing his status as a true speedster of the game.

12. Ronaldo Nazario - 36.2 km/h

• Full name: Ronaldo Luís Nazário de Lima
• Date of birth: 18 September 1976
• Age: 47 years (as of 2024)
• Place of birth: Rio de Janeiro, State of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

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Ronaldo, commonly known as "Ronaldo" or "El Fenomeno," is a Brazilian soccer legend celebrated for his incredible speed on the field. As one of the fastest players in the history of the sport, Ronaldo's rapid acceleration and explosive bursts left defenders struggling to keep up with him. Ronaldo's remarkable top speed, combined with his agility and technical skills, made him virtually unstoppable in one-on-one situations.

Whether he was darting past opponents with his lightning-quick runs or effortlessly gliding through defences, Ronaldo's speed and skill set him apart as one of the most formidable and thrilling players of all time. His performances for clubs like Barcelona, Inter Milan, and Real Madrid, as well as the Brazilian national team, showcased his unmatched pace and cemented his legacy as one of the greatest soccer players in history.

11. Mohamed Salah – 36.64 Km/h

• Full name: Mohamed Salah Hamed Mahrous Ghaly
• Date of birth: 15 June 1992
• Age: 31 years (as of 2024)
• Place of birth: Nagrig, Egypt

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Mohamed Salah, the Egyptian forward for Liverpool, is renowned for his exceptional speed on the soccer pitch. He is among the fastest soccer players ever, reaching an impressive top speed of 36.64 kilometres per hour (22.8 mph). His electrifying pace has been a vital asset in his ability to outrun defenders and create scoring opportunities.

Salah's speed, combined with his technical prowess and clinical finishing, has made him one of the most feared attacking players in the world. Whether he is sprinting down the wing or making explosive runs through the middle, Salah's speed has consistently posed a significant threat to opposing teams, solidifying his status as one of the fastest soccer players of all time.

10. Antonio Rüdiger - 36.72 km/h

• Full name: Antonio Rüdiger
• Date of birth: 3 March 1993
• Age: 31 years (as of 2024)
• Place of birth: Berlin, Germany

Antonio Rüdiger, the German defender, possesses impressive speed on the soccer field, reaching a top speed of 36.72 kilometres per hour (22.8 miles per hour). His rapid acceleration and agility allow him to cover ground quickly and make timely interventions in defence.

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Rüdiger's speed also enables him to recover quickly and track back to nullify opposition attacks. His combination of physical attributes and defensive prowess make him a valuable asset for both his club, Real Madrid, and the German national team. Rüdiger plays a significant role in his ability to excel in one-on-one situations and maintain defensive stability, solidifying his reputation as a top-class defender.

9. Dara O'Shea - 36.73km/h

• Full name: Dara Joseph O'Shea
• Date of birth:4 March 1999
• Age: 25 years (as of 2024)
• Place of birth: Dublin, Ireland

Dara O'Shea plays as a defender for Premier League club Burnley and the Republic of Ireland national team. Being able to stay up with some of the Premier League's top attackers is something that Dara O'Shea personally has mastered. He transferred to Burnley for a fee £7 million, signing a four-year contract with the club.

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8. Dominik Szoboszlai - 36.76km/h

• Full name: Dominik Szoboszlai
• Date of birth: 25 October 2000
• Age: 23 years (as of 2024)
• Place of birth: Székesfehérvár, Hungary

Dominik Szoboszlai plays as midfielder for Premier League club Liverpool and captains the Hungary national team. He can play as an attacking midfielder, right midfielder, or box-to-box midfielder. In 2023, Dominik Szoboszlai gave a shirt to the charity that assisted in collecting funds for the late Csaba Ponczok, a former Maglódi TC player who passed away in 2022.

7. Pedro Neto - 36.86km/h

• Full name: Pedro Lomba Neto
• Date of birth: 9 March 2000
• Age: 24 years (as of 2024)
• Place of birth: Viana do Castelo, Portugal

Pedro Neto is a winger for Premier League club Wolverhampton Wanderers and the Portugal national team. He began his professional career with Braga, who in the summer of 2017 loaned him to Lazio, an Italian club. Due to an injury sustained with his club, Pedro Neto was unable to compete in the FIFA World Cup in 2022.

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6. Gareth Bale - 36.9 km/h

• Full name: Gareth Frank Bale
• Date of birth: 16 July 1989
• Age: 34 years (as of 2024)
• Place of birth: Cardiff, United Kingdom

Gareth Bale, the Welsh winger, is another player known for his remarkable speed on the soccer pitch, reaching a top speed of 36.9 kilometres per hour. During his time at Tottenham Hotspur and later with Real Madrid, Bale's acceleration and pace became his trademarks.

Bale's speed, combined with his technical skills and powerful shooting, led to numerous memorable goals and crucial contributions for both club and country. Whether making daring runs or using his speed to track back and defend, Bale's velocity remained a defining aspect of his game and has solidified his status as one of the most exciting players in modern soccer.

5. Chiedozie Ogbene - 36.93km/h

• Full name: Chiedozie Somkelechukwu Ogbene
• Date of birth: 1 May 1997
• Age: 26 years (as of 2024)
• Place of birth: Lagos, Nigeria

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Chiedozie Ogbene plays as winger for Luton Town and the Republic of Ireland national team. He was nominated three times for the League of Ireland Player of the month award. Chiedozie Ogbene previously played for teams such as Cork City, Limerick, Brentford and Rotherham United.

4. Arjen Robben - 37 km/h

• Full name: Arjen Robben
• Date of birth: 23 January 1984
• Age: 40 years (as of 2024)
• Place of birth: Bedum, Netherlands

Arjen Robben, a Dutch winger, is widely regarded as one of the fastest players to have graced the soccer field, reaching a top speed of 37 kilometers per hour (23 miles per hour). Known for his explosive acceleration, he effortlessly left defenders in his wake.

Robben's blistering pace, combined with his exceptional dribbling and precise left foot, made him a nightmare for defenders to handle. He showcased his electrifying speed during his time with clubs like Bayern Munich and the Netherlands national team.

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3. Kyle Walker - 37.31km/h

• Full name: Kyle Andrew Walker
• Date of birth: 28 May 1990
• Age: 33 years (as of 2024)
• Place of birth: Sheffield, United Kingdom

Kyle Walker plays as right-back for Premier League club Manchester City and the England national team. He begun his career at the age of 18 after a loan spell at Northampton Town. Kyle is three time winner in the PFA Team of the Year. Kyle Walker has been know to be one of the best and most accomplished full-backs in the world.

2. Micky van de Ven - 37.38km/h

• Full name: Micky van de Ven
• Date of birth: 19 April 2001
• Age: 22 years (as of 2024)
• Place of birth: Wormer, Netherlands

Micky van de Ven is a centre-back for Premier League club Tottenham Hotspur and the Netherlands national team. He has a record breaking speed of 37.38 km/h. Van de Ven transferred to German club VfL Wolfsburg in 2021 for a fee of £3.15 million. He recorded the highest top speed of any defender in the Bundesliga that season, at 35.8 mph.

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1. Thierry Henry - 39.2km/h

• Full name: Thierry Daniel Henry
• Date of birth: 17 August 1977
• Age: 46 years (as of 2024)
• Place of birth: Les Ulis, France

Thierry Henry, the former French striker, was not only a prolific goalscorer but also one of the fastest soccer players of all time. With his lightning-fast pace, he terrorised defences throughout his career at clubs like Arsenal and Barcelona. Henry's ability to combine his speed with incredible finesse and technique made him a true force to be reckoned with. Thierry Henry holds the record for one of the fastest top speeds ever recorded in a major league, clocking in at 39.2km/h in 1998, the fastest a soccer player has run.

When discussing the fastest soccer players of all time, the top 16 players mentioned have rightfully earned their place in the annals of soccer history. As the sport continues to evolve, new players will emerge, each with their own unique blend of speed and skill, captivating audiences and ensuring that the pursuit of pace remains an enduring aspect of the beautiful game.

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Sportsbrief.com also published an article about footballers with the most trophies in history. When it comes to the realm of trophies, there are certain renowned stars who surprisingly do not find themselves on the distinguished list.

While numerous football players have graced the field and captivated audiences, only a select few have managed to amass an array of trophies throughout their illustrious careers. Click the above link to read more!