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To excel as a modern-day forward, one needs to strike the perfect balance between physicality and goalscoring attributes. Being able to command the ball or convert from all angles is not enough anymore. Footballers need to be able to outmuscle, outpace, and outsmart their opponents to be in the right place at the right time.
To get the mix right and become faster, stronger, and fitter with each passing day, players spend hours in the gym doing curated workouts. Even after doing everything right, very few players manage to tick all the right boxes. They tend to fade away in the closing minutes of matches.
Today, we will take a look at five footballers who have struck gold in the gym. These players have worked on their physicality to emerge as one of the quickest players around, without compromising on stability, of course.
Here are the five quickest forwards in the world right now.
Special note: For this list, we have used the top speed metric as a reference, but have only kept players who regularly use their pace to beat opponents. Some forwards who might have a higher top speed, but aren’t overly reliant on their pace, have been discarded.
Souce: SpeedsDB
#5 Vinicius Junior (Real Madrid) – 34 km/h
Real Madrid left-winger Vinicius Junior makes the most of his breakneck acceleration, top-drawer top speed (34 km/h), and dazzling feet to help his team.
Pace has always been a part of the Brazilian’s style of play. He loves to hug the left flank and take defenders head-on before attempting to cut inside and try his luck.
Before the 2021-22 campaign, he struggled to apply the finishing touch in the final third. Under Carlo Ancelotti, he has been a changed man, popping up with 15 goals and 10 assists across all competitions.
He still needs to learn to be a bit more composed on the ball and imbibe how to retain possession effectively.
However, considering the work he’s been putting in this season, it’s safe to say he will sort out the chinks in his armor in due time.
#4 Inaki Williams (Athletic Bilbao) – 35.71 km/h
With a top speed of 35.71 km/h, Athletic Bilbao striker Inaki Williams is one of the quickest forwards in the Spanish top-flight.
Rising through Bilbao’s ranks, Williams has become a key member of the squad, emerging as their primary goal threat.
The 27-year-old is generally granted a free role in attack, which allows him to make full use of his breathtaking pace. He drifts to the left and right before cutting in swiftly and having a go at goal.
The Spaniard has registered five goals and two assists so far, and we expect him to add a few more before the 2021-22 season concludes.
#3 Erling Haaland (Borussia Dortmund) – 36 km/h
Having clocked a top speed of 36 km/h, Erling Haaland has emerged as one of the quickest strikers in the history of the game.
The Borussia Dortmund goal machine is freakishly quick for a player his size, and he rarely gives the ball away while charging towards goal.
In him, the Yellow and Blacks have a generational striker, but one who is likely to move away from the club sooner rather than later.
Haaland, who has scored 23 goals in 20 games across competitions, is being courted by every footballing powerhouse in Europe.
With his €75million release clause set to be activated in the upcoming transfer window, the Norwegian is preparing for a blockbuster summer.
Expect the bidding war to commence towards the business end of the 2021-22 season.
#2 Adama Traore (Barcelona) – 38 km/h
Lightning-quick and strong as an ox, Barcelona winger Adama Traore, with a top speed of 38 km/h, is the quickest player in La Liga.
Following an impressive spell at Wolverhampton Wanderers, the former La Masia graduate has returned to the Camp Nou with a point to prove.
Since his homecoming in January, Traore has featured in only a couple of games in La Liga, registering two assists.
Traore may not be as skillful as some other forwards on this list, but in him, Barcelona finally have a direct, intimidating winger.
The Spaniard has a knack for fluffing the final delivery, but the threat he inflicts upon his opponents is very real.
#1 Kylian Mbappe (Paris Saint-Germain) – 38 km/h
With a claimed top speed of 38 km/h, Paris Saint-Germain forward Kylian Mbappe is arguably the quickest player in the world right now.
Mbappe, who has been at the club since 2017, regularly uses his pace and close control to beat opponents before landing a killer blow.
Despite playing alongside the great Lionel Messi, Mbappe has firmly held his own this season. He has been calm and collected on the ball, has excelled both as a winger and centre-forward, and has popped up with decisive strikes.
The 2018 World Cup winner was PSG’s standout performer in their win over Real Madrid in the first leg of their Champions League Round of 16 clash. His pace troubled the Whites all night long, but their resistance did not crumble until the 94th minute.
Mbappe beat Dani Carvajal and Eder Militao with his pace before slotting the ball through Thibaut Courtois’ legs to seal a 1-0 win for PSG.
No wonder the 23-year-old is already hailed as one of the best in the world.
