Who Is the Fastest Man in Soccer? Shocking Numbers Revealed

Speed Isn’t Everything… But It’s Pretty Damn Cool

Let’s be real — watching a player sprint past defenders like they’re standing still? It’s one of the most exciting things in football. I remember yelling at my screen when Alphonso Davies chased back 70 meters to save a goal in the Champions League. Insane.

But who actually holds the crown for the fastest man in soccer right now? The answer might surprise you. It’s not always the guy you’d expect — like, not just Mbappé (although he’s obviously up there).

Top Contenders for the Fastest Man in Soccer

There’s no one official global speed ranking (I wish!), but based on FIFA stats, GPS trackers, and verified top speeds, a few names consistently pop up.

Kylian Mbappé – 38 km/h (Yep, that fast)

You knew this was coming. Mbappé is basically the cheat code of modern football.
During a PSG vs Monaco match, he hit a recorded top speed of 38 km/h (23.6 mph). That’s just... absurd.
To give you context, Usain Bolt’s average speed during his 100m world record was 37.58 km/h. Like, come on.

One time I saw him explode from the halfway line like someone pressed fast-forward. My cousin literally said, “Bro, that’s not fair.” And honestly? Fair point.

Achraf Hakimi – 36.48 km/h

Mbappé’s PSG teammate and Moroccan superstar Hakimi isn’t just fast — he’s terrifyingly smooth when he runs.
He hit 36.48 km/h during a Ligue 1 match, and if you’ve watched him, you know he doesn’t even look like he’s sprinting. He just glides.

Honestly, I sometimes forget he’s a defender. That’s how good he is at turning defense into full-blown counterattack.

Adama Traoré – 38.6 km/h (wait, what?!)

Yes, the human tank himself. Traoré is not only built like a bodybuilder — he’s stupid fast too.
His top speed has been clocked at 38.6 km/h, and it’s legit terrifying seeing someone that muscular move like that.
The thing is, he’s a bit inconsistent — sometimes he’s unstoppable, other times you barely notice him. But in raw speed? He’s elite.

Alphonso Davies – 36.51 km/h

The “Bayern Bullet” as I like to call him (no one else calls him that, I just made it up) — Davies is one of my favorite players to watch.
He hit 36.51 km/h during a game against Arminia Bielefeld in the Bundesliga.
And the thing is, he does it defensively. Like, he’s not just bombing forward — he’s chasing people down like the Terminator.

I’ll never forget his recovery tackle against Haaland. It looked like a video game glitch.

Honorable Mentions – Not Far Behind

• Erling Haaland – Yes, the robot can sprint. He hit 36.22 km/h in a Dortmund match.

• Mohamed Salah – Slightly slower on paper, but his acceleration is bonkers.

• Vinícius Jr. – This guy is like a rocket off the wing. Unreal bursts, even if his top-end speed isn’t officially the highest.

Wait… What About Cristiano Ronaldo?

Ah yes, the GOAT debate starter. Ronaldo used to top these lists regularly — at the 2018 World Cup, he hit 34 km/h at 33 years old, which is wild.
But in 2024? Not quite the same burst. Still sharp, don’t get me wrong, but father time is catching up (even if CR7 is basically superhuman).

What Makes a Player “Fast” Anyway?

This is where it gets tricky. Top speed is one thing. But acceleration, agility, and game speed matter just as much.
You might run 38 km/h in a straight line, but if it takes you 20 meters to get there, someone else already scored.

And honestly? Some of the scariest players aren’t even the fastest — they just know how to use their speed at the perfect moment. Think Messi in his prime: not top-speed dominant, but his first three steps? Devastating.

So… Who’s the Fastest Man in Soccer?

Alright. You came here for an answer, not a list of maybes. So here it is:

Technically?
Adama Traoré, with 38.6 km/h — pure top speed.

In real game dominance?
Kylian Mbappé — he combines speed, timing, control, and killer instinct.

But honestly, speed stats don’t always tell the full story. You’ve got to watch these players. Feel the rush. Hear the crowd roar when someone flies down the pitch.

So next time someone asks, "Who is the fastest man in soccer?" — drop the facts, drop the speeds… and maybe argue a little. Because in football, every stat has a story.

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