Real Madrid star Gareth Bale is the fastest player in the world with the ball at his feet, according to a recent study.
The report, which has been endorsed by FIFA, was carried out by Mexican club Pachuca and claims Bale reached a top speed of 36.9km/h, surpassing Manchester United’s Antonio Valencia who topped the standings last year.
Bale hit top gear with his superb goal at Mestalla in last year’s Copa del Rey final against Barcelona, running 59.1 metres in 7.04 seconds, and it has even impressed the world’s quickest man Usain Bolt.
“I reckon Bale is probably the fastest footballer in the world right now but I could help him with his career if he wants me to,” commented the Jamaican.
Bale’s teammate Cristiano Ronaldo is fifth on the list at 33.6km/h while Barcelona man Lionel Messi sits seventh with 32.5km/h.
The only defender to make the top 10 on is Madrid’s Sergio Ramos, who clocks in at 30.6km/h.
The fastest players in the world are:
Gareth Bale (Real Madrid) 36.9 km / h
Jürgen Damm (Pachuca) 35.23 Km / h.
Antonio Valencia (Manchester United) 35.1 km / h.
Aaron Lennon (Tottenham Hotspur) 33.8 km / h.
Cristiano Ronaldo (Real Madrid) 33.6 km / h.
Theo Walcott (Arsenal) 32.7 km / h.
Lionel Messi (Barcelona) 32.5 km / h.
Wayne Rooney (Manchester United) 31.2 km / h.
Frank Ribery (Bayern Munich) 30.7 km / h
Sergio Ramos (Real Madrid) 30.6 km / h.
