In order to be a professional, a player needs to have a bunch of attributes in his basket of skills. Speed is one such skill that helps a lot in being a better footballer.
Pace has different benefits for footballers operating in different positions. It is a facet that comes extremely handy during tracking back to defend. It is a deadly weapon that can help a team transition from defence to attack in the split of an eye.
While not every player can boast about having a good speed, some do have that happy privilege. That being said, let’s have a look at the 10 fastest footballers around the globe right now.
#10 Karim Bellarabi (35.27 km/hr)
Karim Bellarabi currently plies his trade at German club Bayer Leverkusen since joining them in 2011. The 28-year-old is extremely fast during counter-attacks. His pace is crucial in his attempts to make successful dribbles.
Apart from displaying his explosive speed on the pitch, Bellarabi also holds the record of scoring the fastest goal scored in the history of the German Bundesliga. He found the net against Borussia Dortmund in just 9 seconds. He is also known for scoring the 50,000th goal in the history of the German top-tier.
Although he scored that goal four years ago, his pace doesn’t seem to have deserted him yet; the German of Moroccan descent clocks enough speed to beat a number of speedsters to be counted amongst the fastest players in the world at the moment.
#2 Antony Martial
The 22-year-old is one of the most talented young footballers in the world at the moment. Having made his Manchester United debut under Louis van Gaal, Martial had a stunning 2015/16 campaign. He made 31 league appearances for Manchester United and finished the season as the club’s top scorer with 17 goals in all competitions.
However, Mourinho’s arrival has hampered his progress to an extent. Martial spent most of the time on the bench as Mourinho preferred to use him as a super-sub on most occasions. Also, the arrival of Alexis Sanchez has restricted his playing time even further.
The French international’s decision to return late to United’s pre-season training this summer did not go well with his manager. Also, Mourinho has criticized his performances in the past and the latest of which came after the West Ham defeat. If Mourinho continues to undervalue his abilities, Martial might not be Old Trafford for long.
#9 Moussa Sissoko (35.33 km/hr)
He might not be having enough game time under his belt right now, but his absence on the pitch hasn’t stopped Moussa Sissoko from being considered amongst the world’s best speed demons.
The Tottenham midfielder has a fine history when it comes to the speed charts. He was the fastest player in the Premier League in season 2014-15. Also, he finished as the third fastest player in the English top flight last season.
The 29-year-old has played a minimal role since for Tottenham since the start of this campaign, but he will be a crucial contributor for the team as the season unravels.
#8 Patrick van Aanholt (35.42 km/hr)
Dutch left-back Patrick van Aanholt has built quite a reputation for his momentum in the English top tier. Like Moussa Sissoko, the 28-year-old is a mainstay amongst the Premier League’s speed kings.
Functioning on the left, Van Aanholt is well-adept at beating opponents with a combination of his pace and dribbling. He is also an indirect set-piece threat and a fine distance shooter. As a left-back, he specializes in making crucial interceptions.
The Dutchman finished as the second fastest player in the Premier League in the 2017/18 campaign, clocking a speed of 35.42 km/hr. Since season 2013/14, he has been the 4th fastest player in the league.
#7 Jamie Vardy (35.44 km/hr)
Leicester City hitman Jamie Vardy rose to prominence in 2016, spearheading the club to their first ever league title. He attracted the interests of Premier League heavyweights like Manchester United and Arsenal with his impressive performances for the Foxes.
Vardy has used his gifted pace to a devastating effect, combining it with his eagle-eyed finishing. His speed makes him a threat to reckon on the counters and his finishing prowess enables him to score a bucket load of goals. He is also one of the consistent strikers in the Premier League right now, having notched 20+ goal tallies in two of the last three seasons.
The Englishman is also one of the fastest men playing in the Premier League at the moment. Considering his eye for goals and the blistering pace that he boasts, one could be forgiven for wondering why he hasn’t joined a top club yet.
#6 Leroy Sane (35.48 km/hr)
Germany had a nightmare of a World Cup campaign in Russia this summer. Joachim Low’s men failed to make it past the group stages and were slammed for their slow and boring performances. That’s what happens when you don’t take Leroy Sane with you.
The Manchester City star was the greatest speed demon in the Premier League last season. His pace is by far his most crucial asset. He was one of the Cityzens‘ best performers last season under Pep Guardiola, causing troubles on the left flank by creating chances and scoring goals.
His electrifying speed is difficult for defenders to handle. The Premier League is well-known for its fast gameplay and Sane’s momentum has undoubtedly played a major role in helping him flourish at the Etihad.
#5 Theo Walcott (35.70 km/hr)
Former Arsenal winger Theo Walcott needs no formal introduction as to why he is famous, does he?
The Everton speed merchant is renowned for his thunderous displays of pace while making advanced runs. He usually operates on the wing and is a threat to reckon on the counter- attacks. He runs like a bat out of hell and his lightning pace is one of the reasons why he is difficult to contain for the opposition defenders.
The 29-year-old is also well-adept at finishing and crossing. He is an indirect threat during set-pieces and extremely dangerous during counter-attacks.
With a velocity as fast as his, it is a pity to know that Theo Walcott never truly fulfilled his potential due to his incessant battles with injuries.
#4 Inaki Williams (35.71 km/hr)
Inaki Williams has emerged as one of the finest talents to graduate through the youth ranks at Athletico Bilbao in the recent years. He features either as an attacker or a midfielder for the Spanish outfit.
Alongside the blistering pace that makes him a dangerous attacker, the 24-year-old has brilliant dribbling abilities. He also has a good vision and makes crucial key passes during attacks.
Williams made his mark as one of LaLiga’s speed merchants when he became the fastest player in his debut season in 2015. He surpassed Valencia’s Sofiane Feghouli with a top speed of 35.71 km/hr as a 20-year-old.
Blessed with a pace to burn, Inaki Williams could be a natural fit in the Premier League. It won’t be surprising to watch him wreaking havoc and causing nightmares to defenders in the English top tier.
#2 Orlando Berrio (36 km/hr)
The joint second-fastest player on this list, Orlando Berrio might not be a well-known personality, simply because of the fact that he has played for the majority of time in South America for Brazilian clubs. The Columbian ended his 7-year association with Atletico Nacional to join Flamengo in 2017.
Berrio pre-dominantly operates as a winger on the right flank. He is known for his silky dribbling. He also has a keen eye when it comes to splitting defences by dishing out through balls.
With all those attributes under his belt, Berrio has been a bargain signing for Flamengo, signing in €3.25 million deal.
#2 Kylian Mbappe (36 km/hr)
Simply put, Kylian Mbappe is speed personified.
The young Frenchman has been making waves in world football ever since he was a talented teen at AS Monaco. Now at Paris Saint-Germain, he is living a life that millions daydream about. Already a proud winner of the World Cup and its Best Young Player of the Tournament award, Mbappe has matured into one of the best players even before entering his prime.
With all the noteworthy attributes in his bag, It won’t be long before we see him taking to the podium to receive his first FIFA Best Player of the Year trophy.
#1 Gareth Bale (36.9 km/hr)
It won’t be surprising to find Gareth Bale being considered synonymous to words like ‘fast’ and ‘speed’. He has been an everlasting presence in lists of the fastest players of the current generation.
The Welshman’s electrifying momentum has become his identity, the very attribute he is so well-reputed for.
The Welshman is, at last, enjoying the spotlight at the Bernabeu that he richly deserves. The perfect man to step in Ronaldo’s boots at Real Madrid, only time will tell if he can stay true to great things expected of him by Julen Lopetegui and Los Blancos supporters.
