Who Is Faster Than Mbappé? The Footballers Challenging His Speed

Kylian Mbappé can turn a harmless-looking pass into a one-on-one sprint in seconds. His acceleration, long stride and ability to carry the ball at full speed have made him one of football’s most feared runners. Yet he is not automatically the fastest player in every speed ranking.

The answer depends on what is being measured: a player’s best recorded top speed, acceleration over the first few metres, or speed while controlling the ball. Tracking systems also differ between competitions, so comparisons should be treated as useful indications rather than a perfect world ranking.

Footballers who have recorded speeds comparable to or above Mbappé

Mbappé has been reported at around 37–38 km/h in match situations, with some widely cited figures placing him close to the 38 km/h mark. Several other elite players have reached a similar level:

• Micky van de Ven: The Tottenham and Netherlands defender has recorded more than 37 km/h in Premier League tracking data. His straight-line pace is exceptional for a central defender.
• Kyle Walker: The Manchester City defender has repeatedly appeared near the top of Premier League speed charts, with a recorded peak above 37 km/h in some seasons.
• Adama Traoré: The winger is famous for explosive acceleration and has posted figures in the high-30s km/h range. His first steps are often as threatening as his top speed.
• Achraf Hakimi: The Paris Saint-Germain and Morocco full-back is one of the quickest attacking defenders, regularly appearing in high-speed comparisons with Mbappé.
• Alphonso Davies: The Bayern Munich and Canada left-back combines rapid acceleration with the stamina to make repeated recovery runs.
• Antonio Rüdiger: The Real Madrid centre-back has produced surprisingly high sprint readings, making him one of the fastest defenders in elite football.
• Vinícius Júnior: The Real Madrid winger is not only quick over distance but also highly effective when changing direction with the ball.

Some lists also include players such as Darwin Núñez, Karim Adeyemi, Nuno Mendes and Rafael Leão. Their reported figures can approach Mbappé’s, although the exact order changes according to the league, tracking provider and match conditions.

Is anyone clearly faster than Kylian Mbappé?

There is no single official global ranking of the fastest footballer. UEFA competitions, domestic leagues and clubs may collect speed data with different systems, while public reports do not always explain whether the number came from a short burst, a full sprint or a ball-carrying run.

That makes it difficult to say that one player is definitively faster than Mbappé. Van de Ven and Walker have produced higher or similar recorded peaks in certain competitions, while Traoré, Davies and Hakimi frequently appear in the same conversation. A player may also record a higher maximum speed without being more dangerous in a match.

Mbappé’s advantage is the combination of qualities. He reaches top speed quickly, keeps his balance while dribbling, chooses his running angle intelligently and remains capable of finishing at the end of the sprint. That is why comparisons based only on kilometres per hour can undersell his impact.

Top speed is not the same as acceleration

Football rarely gives players a clear 100-metre straight. Most decisive runs begin from a standing or jogging position and involve a change of direction, a defender, and a ball moving at an awkward angle.

Acceleration over 5–10 metres can therefore matter more than maximum speed. Mbappé is particularly effective in this phase: he creates separation before a defender reaches full stride. Traoré and Vinícius Júnior are similarly dangerous because they can shift pace suddenly, while Walker and Van de Ven often rely on sustained recovery speed over a longer distance.

Ball control adds another layer. A player may be faster without the ball but lose some of that advantage while dribbling. Mbappé’s ability to sprint with close control is one reason defenders struggle to contain him even when they possess excellent raw pace.

The most accurate answer

If “faster than Mbappé” means a higher publicly reported match top speed, Micky van de Ven, Kyle Walker and Adama Traoré are among the strongest candidates. Alphonso Davies, Achraf Hakimi, Vinícius Júnior and several other elite players have also recorded comparable numbers.

If the question means the best overall attacking runner in a competitive football situation, Mbappé remains one of the leading answers. His speed is not just a measurement on a tracking screen; it is acceleration, timing, dribbling and finishing combined.