Athleticism has always played a crucial role in football, both mentally and physically. To perform at their best, players must prepare themselves for contests. Being physically powerful is essential for pushing the opposition and, more importantly, helping the team play fast football.
Having the fastest players on the field allows the team to transition swiftly and expose opponents during counterattacks. A player with speed can outrun defenders who stand still. Each player has a unique set of abilities, and speed is one of them. However, without speed, completing many of the tasks necessary for playing football on the field becomes difficult. If a player is speedy on the field, they can take on two or three defenders and move quickly across the field. In today’s game, participants place a high value on tempo.
Here are the top 10 fastest football players in the world in 2023:
1. Kylian Mbappe | Paris Saint-Germain | 38 km/h
Kylian Mbappe, with a top speed of 38 km/h, is among the world’s fastest football players. His speed and football intelligence have propelled him to become one of the world’s top forwards. In a 2019-20 Ligue 1 match, Mbappe scored a hat-trick against AS Monaco. He outran Monaco defenders at a speed of 38 km/h to reach the opponents’ D-box and finished the move by scoring with his left foot.
2. Adama Traore | Wolverhampton Wanderers | 38 km/h
Adama Traore is another exceptional athlete who has emerged as one of the world’s fastest football players. His significant mass and speed, which he uses to overpower opponents effortlessly, distinguish him from others. In a UEFA Europa League match against Sevilla, Traore used his top speed to bypass Sevilla defenders and enter the penalty area before being fouled.
3. Alphonso Davies | Bayern Munich | 36.51 km/h
Alphonso Davies of Bayern Munich is currently among the world’s fastest football players. Known as the Bundesliga’s quickest player, Davies showcased his speed while tracking back during a match against Arminia on a snowy evening. Davies, an inverted full-back who heavily relies on his speed to defend the left wing, sprinted back at a speed of 36.51 km/h to clear the ball from danger.
4. Romelu Lukaku | Chelsea| 36.25 km/h
Romelu Lukaku, the Chelsea forward, has a top speed of 36.25 km/h. Due to his height of 6 feet 3 inches, he has often been used as a target man to win headers from set-pieces and long balls as a poacher inside the box. However, the center-forward has occasionally shown glimpses of his speed, most notably at the 2019 FIFA World Cup.
5. Erling Haaland | Borussia Dortmund | 36 km/h
Erling Haaland, with a top speed of 36 km/h, possesses the perfect balance of strength and speed. In a 3-2 Bundesliga victory for Borussia Dortmund over Vfb Stuttgart, Haaland reached his top speed of 36 km/h. Unfortunately, the opposing goalkeeper recovered the ball early, so Haaland’s display of speed did not result in a goal, but his pace still poses a threat.
6. Antonio Rudiger 36.7 km/h | 22.80 miles per hour
Antonio Rudiger, the Real Madrid defender, is 29 years old and stands 1.9 meters tall. He is a robust, combative, and fast defender capable of outrunning any attack.
7. Mohamed Salah 36.6 km/h | 22.74 miles per hour
Mohamed Salah, the Liverpool player, is renowned for his speed and ability to score from anywhere on the pitch. His speed is a crucial aspect of his game. He plays on the right flank and is virtually unstoppable.
8. Achraf Hakimi 36.48 km/h | 22.66 miles per hour
Achraf Hakimi is one of the world’s fastest right-backs, with a top speed of 36.48 km/h. His sprint against RB Leipzig, clocking in at 22.66 mph, was his second-fastest of the year.
9. Sheraldo Becker 35.97 km/h | 22.35 miles per hour
Sheraldo Becker is the Bundesliga player with the fastest speed, clocking in at 35.97 km/h. He’s quick and difficult to catch up with if defenders allow him a little bit of a chance or room to make a run.
10. Ousmane Dembele 35.9 km/h | 22.30 miles per hour
Ousmane Dembele competes for Barcelona and is known for his technical proficiency, quickness, and agility. He can play as a right and left winger and is an important member of Barcelona’s squad.