The fastest player in football 2024: Premier League stars race against Mbappé

In the high-stakes theater of modern football, the ability to break lines and bypass structured defenses is the most coveted currency. Today, players possessing elite dribbling skills and explosive acceleration are not just luxuries, they are essential strategic assets with skyrocketing market values. Contemporary defensive systems are engineered on the principle of "denial of space," ensuring no opponent can operate comfortably. However, when a team possesses a "ghost" capable of world-class take-ons, even the most rigid tactical blocks become vulnerable.

The concept of "beating a man" has evolved beyond the stereotypical image of a technical artist performing step-overs. On the modern pitch, it often boils down to a simpler, more devastating reality: one player is just significantly faster than everyone else. 

While raw pace is not a mandatory requirement to reach superstardom, being a "human lightning bolt" provides a player with the opportunity to reach the pinnacle of the sport faster and stay there longer than their peers. In this exclusive analysis, Livescorecz identifies the "exceptions" to the rules of physics, profiling the elite speedsters who defined the fastest player in football 2024 and the 2024/25 season.

Ranking the fastest player in football 2024 

10. Mohamed Salah - 35.7 km/h

Despite entering his 30s, Salah remains an elite sprinter, hitting 35.7 km/h consistently during the 2024/25 Premier League season. A notable instance occurred in November 2024 against Aston Villa, where Salah sprinted from his own half to score a solo goal. With over 220 goals for Liverpool since joining from Roma in 2017, Salah has won every major trophy, including the Premier League and Champions League. 

9. Rafael Leão - 35.8 km/h

AC Milan’s talisman, Leão, was clocked at 35.8 km/h in a Champions League group stage match against Real Madrid in late 2024. Leão’s 1m88 frame and "surfer" style of running make him nearly impossible to stop once he reaches top gear. Since joining Milan from Lille in 2019, he has led the club to a Scudetto and was named Serie A MVP. 

8. Ousmane Dembélé - 36 km/h

Following a career-defining 2024/25 season that saw him win the Ballon d’Or, Dembélé reached 36 km/h for PSG. His most iconic sprint of the season occurred in the "Le Classique" against Marseille, where he bypassed 3 defenders in a 40-meter dash. After a turbulent stint at Barcelona (2017-2023), his move to PSG has unlocked his potential, resulting in Ligue 1 and Champions League titles.

7. Jakub Moder - 36.84 km/h

Breaking the stereotype that central midfielders lack explosive pace, Moder clocked a surprising 36.84 km/h during the 2023/24 Premier League season. This sprint occurred during a high-intensity transition against Sheffield United, where Moder tracked back to negate a counter-attack. 

Standing at 1m91, his long, powerful strides allow him to cover ground with deceptive ease. Since joining Brighton from Lech Poznań in 2020, Moder has become a vital tactical cog, appearing in over 60 matches. Despite a serious knee injury in his past, his recovery of peak speed has stunned medical staff and fans alike.

6. Pedro Neto - 36.86 km/h

Neto reached a peak velocity of 36.86 km/h in a 2023/24 clash between Wolves and Luton Town. Neto is unique because his top speed is often recorded while the ball is "glued" to his feet. Throughout his career at Wolves (2019-2024), where he made 135 appearances and scored 14 goals, he was the primary outlet for "heavy metal" transitions. 

5. Anthony Elanga - 36.91 km/h

Elanga has become the face of Nottingham Forest’s counter-attacking identity, hitting 36.91 km/h during a 2023/24 match against Chelsea. He utilized this speed to outpace a retreating defense and provide a match-winning assist. In the 2024/25 season, Elanga has appeared in 39 matches, contributing significantly to Forest's mid-table stability. Having joined from Manchester United in 2023 for approximately £15 million, Elanga has already surpassed his goal involvement tally from his time at Old Trafford, where he made 55 appearances.

4. Chiedozie Ogbene - 36.93 km/h

The Irish international recorded a blistering 36.93 km/h against Fulham. Ogbene’s speed is rooted in his background in Gaelic football, providing him with a unique explosive start. After moving from Luton Town to Ipswich Town for the 2024/25 season, Ogbene continues to be a nightmare for full-backs. Throughout a nomadic career spanning clubs like Rotherham and Brentford, he has amassed over 200 professional appearances, proving that unconventional pathways can produce world-class physical traits.

3. Alphonso Davies - 37.1 km/h

Bayern Munich’s Davies remains the gold standard for full-backs, hitting 37.1 km/h in the 2024/25 Bundesliga season against RB Leipzig. Since joining Bayern from Vancouver Whitecaps in 2018, Davies has won 5 Bundesliga titles and a Champions League. His recovery speed is so legendary that opponents often refrain from attacking his flank entirely. In 2024/25, he has already completed over 50 successful dribbles, the highest for any defender in Europe.

2. Micky van de Ven - 37.38 km/h

The fastest defender in history, Van de Ven, shattered records with a 37.38 km/h sprint against Brentford. This recovery run prevented a certain goal and solidified his reputation as Tottenham’s most important defensive asset. His physical gift allows Spurs to play an ultra-aggressive style that would be impossible with a slower center-back.

1. Kylian Mbappé - 38 km/h

Clocking an astronomical 38 km/h during his debut season for Real Madrid, Mbappé proved he is the ultimate "cheat code." This peak speed was reached in a counter-attack against Real Sociedad, where he received the ball at the halfway line and reached the box in under five seconds. 

Having joined Madrid from PSG in 2024, he immediately secured the UEFA Super Cup and has scored 39 goals in the 2024/25 campaign. With a career total of over 300 goals and a World Cup trophy, Mbappé's speed is the primary engine of his legendary status.

Top 10 fastest players in 2024: 

Kylian Mbappé: 38.00 km/h

Micky van de Ven - 37.38 km/h

Alphonso Davies - 37.1 km/h

Chiedozie Ogbene - 36.93 km/h

Anthony Elanga: 36.91 km/h

Pedro Neto: 36.86 km/h

Jakub Moder: 36.84 km/h

Ousmane Dembélé - 36 km/h

Rafael Leão - 35.8 km/h

Mohamed Salah -  35.7 km/h

Livescorecz.net has just detailed the 10 fastest players on the planet for the 2024/25 season. Would you like to see one of these "supersonic" athletes wearing your favorite club's jersey next season?

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