Soccer is a game in which physical attributes are not as important as in many other team sports, such as American football, rugby and hockey. The best players ever were neither big nor fast (take Pele and Maradonna as two good examples). The best player in the world today, Messi, is just 5 foot 7 tall and although he has exceptional acceleration, his top speed is average (although he can dribble the ball at speed better than anyone).
This is not to say that attributes such as speed are not important. Many players thrive on their ability to beat their man with pure speed, particularly attacking wingers. In a soccer scoreboards feature, I have listed the 10 speediest players in the game at the moment. Some of the players on the list may come as a surprise to you.
5 – Robin Van Persie – 32.1 km/hour
The best striker to come out of Holland since Bergkamp. Their playing styles are somewhat similar too. The soccer scoreboards show that they both play(ed) for Arsenal. Van Persie has the skill and agility to make the difference in tight games, and is one of those few players (such as Berbatov and Torres) who are capable of doing something very special at any time: the sort of player that keeps you on the edge. He is surprisingly fast too, with a top speed even faster than that of the ex-Arsenal hero Thierry Henry.
4 – Wayne Rooney – 32.6 km/hour
The player who is very much in the fans’ bad books at the moment. He recently leveraged his power to up his wage to something like $200,000 a week (!), whilst performing very averagely (compared to his usual high standards). Known for his powerful shooting ability, he is also one of the fastest out there.
3 – Theo Walcott – 32.8 km/hour.
One of those players who seemed destined for world class status the moment he set foot on the professional soccer field, there is the feeling that he has yet to reach his full potential. His inclusion on this list will be of no surprise. Above everything else, he is known for his phenomenal pace, and his ability to leave defenders in his wake. Still very young, we could see great things from Walcott in the years to come.
2 – Arjen Robben – 32.9 km/hour
Like Walcott, it is of no surprise that Robben is on this list. Another classic winger, he is one of the very best at beating his man, and then delivering the perfect ball or shot. He could get into any team in the world, and there is not a defender in the world who would want to line up against him!
1 – Ronaldo – 33.6 km/hour.
For a season he was the best player in the world (before Messi came along), and he continues to perform at the highest of levels. He is known for his shooting skills, his heading skills, and his dribbling speed. Not so many people know that his flat speed is so exceptional too. He is, in fact, the fastest big time player in the world today. His downfall is that he can put in inconsistent performances, but in any case, like Robben, he could get into any team in the world no questions asked.
For more information on Ronaldo, go to: