Top 15 Fastest Footballers In The World (2023)

Updated: January 2, 2023.

Football has evolved over the years. Due to the tactics employed in the modern game, football has become much more fast-paced, with teams pressing higher up the pitch, counter-attacking and using overlapping full backs more than ever.

Here, FootballOrbit looks at the top 15 fastest footballers in the world in 2023.

#1. Kylian Mbappe (PSG)

Speed: 38km/h

Ever since he broke through at Monaco, Mbappe has been wowing football lovers with his blistering pace. His runs makes him a nuisance to opposition defenders.

Mbappe has significantly improved his speed this season, putting him at the No 1 spot on this list.

#2. Adama Traore (Barcelona)

Speed: 37 km/h

When in full motion, Adama Traore is a beast as not only does he possesses lightning speed, he also has a muscular physique that enables him bully opponents. He is a force of nature!!!

He was a nightmare to play against when he was in the Premier League with Wolves and now at Barcelona, where he is currently on loan.

#3. Alphonso Davies (Bayern Munich)

Speed: 36.77 km/h

Alphonso Davies’ career has been on an upwards trajectory since he joined Bayern Munich. At the Allianz Arena, he was converted from a winger to a full back and has been a revelation since.

The Canadian’s explosive bursts of pace on the counter-attack regularly makes him unplayable for opposing teams.

#4. Antonio Rudiger (Chelsea)

Speed: 36.71 km/h

Rudiger vs Salah

Are you surprised? Don’t be!

Rudiger has been a very fast defender all his career but this season — along with his other characteristics — his speed has improved significantly.

He regularly matches opposition forwards pace-for-pace during Chelsea games.

The German is out of contract this summer and has been putting in impressive performances to convince the Blues to offer him a deal that will make him among the club’s top earners.

#5. Mohamed Salah (Liverpool)

Speed: 36.68 km/h

Salah has been a very pacey forward since he broke through at Basel, which convinced Chelsea to sign him. Since moving to Liverpool, the Egyptian has improved all aspects of his game to earn himself a place among the best footballers in the world.

Salah’s speed is a major threat to any defender.

#6. Leroy Sane (Bayern Munich)

Speed: 36.51 km/h

Sane has always been synonymous with speed throughout his career. During his Man City days, even though Pep Guardiorla’s men play the tiki-taka passing football, Sane’s speed provides an outlet for breaking down stubborn opposition defences.

He has been a nightmare for Bundesliga teams since his transfer to Bayern Munich.

#7. Daniel James (Leeds United)

Speed: 36.50

Daniel James in action for Wales

Daniel James is a an extremely fast winger who likes running towards defenders with the ball. He struggled to nail down a place at Manchester United and moved to Leeds United last summer. He is gradually making up for lost time.

James is regularly at his best when representing his country, Wales.

#8. Achraf Hakimi (PSG)

Speed: 36.48 km/h

Hakimi is a speedy wingback who likes overlapping a lot. His attacking instincts (most especially his fine crosses) convinced PSG to splash €60m to sign him from Inter Milan last summer.

He has settled well in France and has formed a good understanding with Lionel Messi on the right side of PSG’s attack.

#9. Ousmanne Dembele (Barcelona)

Speed: 36.30 km/h

Injuries have plagued Dembele’s career since he joined Barcelona. But when fully fit, the Frenchman is one of the most dangerous players on the pitch.

#10. Kyle Walker (Manchester City)

Speed: 35.71 km/h

Walker is one of the fastest defender in the Premier League. Since moving to Manchester City, his attacking play has greatly improved.

#11. Ibrahima Konate (Liverpool)

Speed: 35.70 km/h

Konate engages Chelsea’s Pulisic in a battle for speed

Konate impressed alongside Dayot Upamecano at the heart of RB Leipzig’s defence last season. His performances earned him a big move to Liverpool and the Frenchman has nailed down a starting spot at Anfield.

One of the characteristics that made him adapt well to the Premier League has been his speed.

#12. Ismaila Sarr (Watford)

Speed: 35.67 km/h

Sarr’s incredible acceleration on the ball — coupled with his skills — sometimes makes him unstoppable and a nightmare to play against.

Should Watford get relegated, top sides will not hesitate to spend huge money in signing him up.

Ismaila Sarr was part of the Senegalese team that won the AFCON earlier this year.

#13. Vinicius Junior (Real Madrid)

Speed: 35.65 km/h

Vinicius was signed by Real Madrid as a raw teenager from Flamengo. He possesses blistering raw pace and mesmerising skills.

The Brazilian initially struggled to settle down at the Santiago Bernabeu due to his inexperience and lack of composure on the ball. But he has now overcome those struggles and made himself an integral part of Carlo Ancelloti’s side.

#14. Inaki Williams (Athletico Bibao)

Speed: 35.62 km/h

Inaki Williams being prevented from speeding away by Barcelona’s Gerrard Pique

Williams is one of the most important players for Athletico Bilbao and one of the fastest players in La Liga.

Incredibly, he never gets injured.

#15. Erling Haaland (Borussia Dortmund)

Speed: 35.04 km/h

Haaland might possess a very tall physique, but he is so very fast. His acceleration enables him beat defenders and also create openings for his teammates.

Notable Mentions

#. Karim Bellarabi (Bayern Leverkusen)

#. Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (Barcelona)

#. Reece James (Chelsea)

#. Cristiano Ronaldo (Manchester United)

#. Lionel Messi (PSG)

#. Raphinha (Leeds United)

#. Marcus Rashford (Manchester United)

#. Kingsley Coman (Bayern Munich)

#. Jamie Vardy (Leicester City)

#. Luiz Diaz (Liverpool)

One thought on “Top 15 Fastest Footballers In The World (2023)

  1. I am sorry but where is Karim Adeyemi who broke the speed record for the Bundesliga during last season?

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