The UEFA Champions League has once again highlighted the extraordinary pace of its top players, with a new position-specific ranking released on Tuesday by the Football Observatory at the International Centre for Sports Studies (CIES). The report identifies the fastest players across all positions, showcasing stars such as Kylian Mbappé, Achraf Hakimi, and Abdukodir Khusanov.
Among defenders, Manchester City’s Uzbek full-back Abdukodir Khusanov emerged as the fastest, reaching a peak speed of 35.8 kilometres per hour (km/h) during matches. In the full-back category, Paris Saint-Germain’s Achraf Hakimi topped the charts, clocking a remarkable 36.4 km/h, while his PSG teammate Nuno Mendes closely followed at 36.1 km/h.
In midfield, Tottenham Hotspur’s Archie Gray recorded the highest speed, sprinting at 34.8 km/h, whereas among wingers, Newcastle United’s Anthony Gordon led the pack with a staggering 37.9 km/h. Up front, Real Madrid’s French forward Kylian Mbappé registered a top speed of 35.7 km/h, confirming his reputation as one of football’s fastest strikers.
Top Champions League Speeds by Position
| Position | Player | Club | Peak Speed (km/h) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Centre Forward | Kylian Mbappé | Real Madrid | 35.7 |
| Winger | Anthony Gordon | Newcastle United | 37.9 |
| Midfielder | Archie Gray | Tottenham Hotspur | 34.8 |
| Full-back | Achraf Hakimi | PSG | 36.4 |
| Full-back | Nuno Mendes | PSG | 36.1 |
| Defender | Abdukodir Khusanov | Manchester City | 35.8 |
The study also analysed players’ “walking distance” — the proportion of total distance covered at speeds below 7 km/h. Interestingly, Mbappé leads this category as well, covering 43.5% of his total distance at low speeds, indicating that he reserves much of his energy for explosive sprints. Following him are Napoli’s Victor Osimhen (41.9%) and Sporting Lisbon’s Colombian forward Luis Suárez (40.1%).
Among central midfielders, those who walked the least — effectively spending more time running — included Bodø/Glimt’s Norwegian midfielder Håkon Evjen (23%), Sporting Lisbon’s Portuguese midfielder João Mário Simões (24.1%), and Tottenham Hotspur’s Swedish midfielder Lukas Bergvall (25.2%). These statistics highlight their emphasis on high-intensity running throughout matches, rather than conserving energy through walking.
The CIES report provides a fascinating insight into how speed dynamics vary by position in Europe’s top-tier competition. Coaches and analysts can use this data to optimise tactical strategies, including counterattacks and defensive pressing, while fans gain a new appreciation for the sheer physical prowess of their favourite stars.