Clubs competing in the Champions League will maximise every quality they have in order to reach the latest possible stage. Some are able to call upon elite passers. Others possess lethal finishers. But a select few are blessed with multiple speed demons.
Having someone who is lightning quick in your starting XI can be vital, particularly when facing a high back line. The extra yard of pace can help you get in behind the opposition and likely lead to a golden opportunity.
Which teams, though, have been able to call upon the fastest players in the competition? CIES Football Observatory have tracked the speeds of every outfield player to have featured in Europe's biggest club competition, with some individuals clocking speeds which are scarcely believable.
Fastest Players in 25/26 Champions League: 15-11
Tottenham Hotspur's Micky van de Ven in action before scoring vs Copenhagen
Incredibly, every player to make the top 15 has recorded over 35km/h in this season's competition. In fact, one player to have exceeded that speed even misses out, as Sporting CP's Ivan Fresneda is 0.03km/h behind the man in 15th spot.
Tottenham's Micky van De Ven actually ranks among the two fastest centre-backs in the Champions League thus far, with the Dutchman's recovery speed seeing him rank among the quickest ever Premier League stars. That was on full display against Copenhagen in the League Phase, as he ran the length of the pitch before scoring.
Van de Ven is just fractionally behind Juventus striker Lois Openda, whose frightening pace contrasts to his fortunes in front of goal. The Belgian has just one strike to his name thus far, and might not have much chance to add to his tally if the Old Lady crash out against Galatasaray.
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In 13th is another man who has typically been renowned for his blistering speed. Marcus Rashford is back among Europe's elite on loan at Barcelona and the pacey winger will hope his improvements will earn him a place in Thomas Tuchel's 2026 World Cup squad.
Just falling outside the top 10 are two players who are separated by the barest of margins. Atletico Madrid's Giuliano Simeone has managed a top speed of 35.43km/h in the Champions League in matches so far, but that's not quite enough to beat Newcastle United's Harvey Barnes. Eddie Howe's side look destined to qualify for the last 16 after thumping Qarabag, meaning that the England international will have the chance to improve on his best effort.
Fastest Players in 25/26 Champions League (15-11)
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15
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12
11
Fastest Players in 25/26 Champions League: 10-6
Kylian Mbappe frustrated playing for Real Madrid against Kairat Almaty in the UEFA Champions League
Two Real Madrid players kick off the top 10, although it might be a surprise to see this duo so close together. Federico Valverde does have pace to burn when he needs it, but not many would have predicted that he would be just behind the top speed recorded by Kylian Mbappe!
The Frenchman is regarded as one of the best players in the world, with his quickness a vital component of his game. So the Los Blancos star being ninth is definitely a shock.
Manchester City's Abdukodir Khusanov takes the crown of quickest centre-back in the Champions League, leaving Van de Ven far behind him. The Uzbek defender isn't too far away from a spot in the top five, but trails just behind teammate Nico O'Reilly. The England international is sixth, with Qarabag's Emmanuel Addai splitting the two Sky Blue stars.
Fastest Players in 25/26 Champions League (10-6)
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10
9
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7
6
Fastest Players in 25/26 Champions League: 5-1
Newcastle United's Anthony Gordon celebrates scoring vs PSV
Just three clubs dominate the top five, as Carlos Forbes storms past established Premier League and La Liga stars to land in fifth. Having managed a 3-3 draw against Atletico Madrid in the first leg of their play-off fixture, Club Brugge will hope that their winger can play a part to secure a spot in the last 16.
Nuno Mendes and Achraf Hakimi are both regarded as two of the finest defenders in the world. Both full-backs offer plenty going forward for Paris Saint-Germain, who benefit immensely from their fantastic overlapping ability, and there's little to separate them in terms of speed. It's Hakimi, though, who narrowly edges in front for a podium finish.
Newcastle's Anthony Elanga, ordinarily, would easily beat most footballers in a foot race, and does so once again here. Recording 36.65km/h in Europe, he's quicker than all but one player — his teammate Anthony Gordon.
Incredibly, it's not even a close finish. The England international is in a league of his own when it comes to speed, not just shattering the 37km/h mark, but nearly breaking the 38km/h mark too.
Fastest Players in 25/26 Champions League (5-1)
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5
4
3
2
1