Of all the quickest footballers in the world, it is this Manchester United star who emerges as the outright speediest across the ground.
FIFA have released a study to name the fastest player in the world this season, as reported by the Metro.
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The usual suspects are in the list, with the likes of Arsenal’s Theo Walcott, Real Madrid pair Gareth Bale and Cristiano Ronaldo as well as Arjen Robben and Franck Ribery of Bayern Munich, but the eventual winner is something of a surprise.
Take a look at the top ten in full:
10) Alexis Sanchez (Arsenal) – 30.1 km/h
Not a great surprise to see one of Arsenal’s players of the season make the top ten in a list concerning fast footballers. Sanchez has a brilliant engine.
9) Arjen Robben (Bayern Munich) – 30.4 km/h
The former Chelsea man is one of the best wingers in the world right now and has been terrorising full-backs with his searing pace for many years. Just ask his former team-mate Ashley Cole, who had a night to forget when Roma faced Bayern in the Champions League earlier in the season.
8) Franck Ribery (Bayern Munich) – 30.7 km/h
No shock that the Frenchman makes the top ten as his speed remains his best asset. Bayern’s Champions League semi-final against Barcelona could have been a whole lot different if Ribery was available for both legs.
7) Wayne Rooney (Manchester United) – 31.2 km/h
A slight surprise inclusion in this list as the Man United and England skipper doesn’t appear to be at all quick. What is even more shocking is that he’s faster than Alexis Sanchez and Frank Ribery.
6) Lionel Messi (Barcelona) – 32.5 km/h
Because of his dribbling and shooting ability, it’s often forgotten that the Barcelona and Argentina superstar is actually very quick.
5) Theo Walcott (Arsenal) – 32.7 km/h
Pace is the main attribute that the Arsenal winger possesses and because of that it is so surprise to see him make the top five.
4) Cristiano Ronaldo (Real Madrid) – 33.6 km/h
The Real Madrid star is probably the best athlete in football at the moment; he combines pace and strength to devastating effect to rank fourth in this list.
3) Aaron Lennon (Tottenham, on loan at Everton) – 33.8 km/h
If the Tottenham winger, on-loan at Everton right now, could add more to his game than just running down the wing at lighting quick speed, then he’d be a fantastic player.
2) Gareth Bale (Real Madrid) – 34.7 km/h
It may not be going smoothly for the Welshman in Spain at the moment, but this is one area in which he has team-mate Cristiano Ronaldo beaten in as he is ranked as the second fastest player in the world.
1) Antonio Valencia (Manchester United) – 35.1 km/h
Officially the quickest footballer in the world, not many would have thought Valencia would top this particular list but the study proves that there is nobody quicker than him.