Speed is always a big part of soccer. Whether it’s finding out who the fastest player is, the quickest team, or the most powerful shots, there’s something exciting about it all.
Looking at some of the fastest shots in soccer history is an awe-inspiring experience. Amazing things can happen when a player gets full control of the ball and puts some power behind it. What are the fastest shots ever recorded? Below is a look at some of the quickest ones.
18. Mario Götze: 34.1 mph [54.8 km/h]
As mentioned earlier, German midfielder Mario Götze scored the fastest goal ever recorded in a World Cup final match when he struck the ball at 54.8 km/h (34.1 mph) during extra time of the 2014 final against Argentina. The goal proved to be the game-winner as Germany went on to win the match 1-0 and claim its fourth World Cup title.
17. David Hirst: 35 mph [56 km/h]
In 1993, Sheffield Wednesday striker David Hirst scored a goal against Arsenal that was clocked at 56 km/h (35 mph). The strike is considered one of the best in Premier League history and helped Sheffield Wednesday win the match 2-1.
Hirst’s record stood until 1996 when it was broken by number 16 on our list Ronaldo Nazário.
16. Ronaldo Nazário: 38 mph [61 km/h]
In 1996, Brazilian striker Ronaldo Nazário, better known as “Il Fenomeno” or “The Phenomenon,” made his professional debut with Dutch club PSV Eindhoven. A year later, he signed with Spanish giants FC Barcelona for a then-record fee of $19 million. Ronaldo went on to score 47 goals in 49 appearances for Barcelona before being transferred to the Italian club Internazionale Milano (Inter Milan) in 1997.
While playing for Inter, Ronaldo set the record for the fastest-recorded soccer shot of all time. In a 1999 Serie A match against Lecce, Ronaldo unleashed a shot that was clocked at 61 km/h (38 mph).
15. Obafemi Martins: 84 mph [135.1 km/h]
In 2009, Nigerian striker Obafemi Martins played for English club Birmingham City when he scored a goal against Crystal Palace, which was clocked at 135.185 km/h (84 mph). The strike is not only the fastest recorded shot in soccer history but also the third-fastest speed ever recorded for any sports ball in motion.
The speed of Martins’ shot was so fast that it actually broke the radar gun that was used to measure it. A second measurement taken with a different radar gun confirmed the initial reading.
14. Obafemi Martins: 84.2 mph [135.5 km/h]
In 2009, Nigerian striker Obafemi Martins played for English club Birmingham City when he scored a goal against Crystal Palace, which was clocked at 135.49 km/h (84.2 mph). The strike is not only the fastest recorded shot in soccer history but also the third-fastest speed ever recorded for any sports ball in motion.
The speed of Martins’ shot was so fast that it actually broke the radar gun that was used to measure it. A second measurement taken with a different radar gun confirmed the initial reading.
13. Roberto Carlos: 85.7 mph [137.9 km/h]
In 1997, Brazilian defender Roberto Carlos played for the Spanish club Real Madrid when he scored a free kick against French side Toulouse, which was clocked at 137.9 km/h (85.7 mph). The strike is widely considered one of the greatest free kicks of all time and helped Real Madrid win the match 3-0.
12. Alan Shearer: 85.8 mph [138.1 km/h]
In 1996, English striker Alan Shearer was playing for Newcastle United when he scored a goal against Portsmouth that was clocked at 138.1 km/h (85.8 mph). The strike helped Newcastle United win the match 2-0 and maintain its lead atop the Premier League table.
11. Adriano: 89.5 mph [144 km/h]
In 2005, Brazilian striker Adriano played for the Italian club Internazionale Milano (Inter Milan) when he scored a goal against Fiorentina, which was clocked at 144 km/h (89.5 mph). The strike helped Inter Milan win the match 3-2 and maintain its lead atop the Serie A table.
10. Zlatan Ibrahimovic: 93.3 mph [151.1 km/h]
In 2012, Swedish striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic was playing for the French club Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) when he scored a goal against Bastia that was clocked at 151.1 km/h (93.3 mph). The strike helped PSG win the match 4-0 and maintain its lead atop the Ligue 1 table.
9. Tony Yeboah: 95.7 mph [154 km/h]
In 1995, Ghanaian striker Tony Yeboah was playing for English club Leeds United when he scored a goal against Liverpool that was clocked at 154 km/h (95.7 mph). The strike helped Leeds United win the match 2-1.
8. Richie Humphreys: 95.9 mph [154.5 km/h]
In 2000, English midfielder Richie Humphreys played for Sheffield Wednesday when he scored a goal against Manchester City, which was clocked at 154.5 km/h (95.9 mph). The strike helped Sheffield Wednesday win the match 2-1 and maintain its lead atop the second-tier English Football League.
7. David Trezeguet: 96 mph [154.7 km/h]
In 1996, English striker David Trezeguet was playing for Sheffield Wednesday when he scored a goal against Arsenal that was clocked at 154.7 km/h (96 mph). The strike helped Sheffield Wednesday win the match 1-0 and handed Arsenal its first loss of the season.
6. David Beckham: 96.9 mph [155.9 km/h]
In 1996, English midfielder David Beckham was playing for Manchester United when he scored a goal against Wimbledon that was clocked at 96.9 mph (155 km/h). The strike helped Manchester United win the match 3-0 and maintain its lead atop the Premier League table.
5. David Hirst: 114 mph [183.4 km/h]
In 1996, English striker David Hirst played for Sheffield Wednesday when he scored a goal against Arsenal clocked at 114 mph (183 km/h). The strike helped Sheffield Wednesday win the match 1-0 and handed Arsenal its first loss of the season.
4. Ronald Koeman: 116.8 mph [187.9 km/h]
In 1995, Dutch defender Ronald Koeman was playing for the Spanish club Barcelona when he scored a goal against Manchester United that was clocked at 187.9 km/h (116.8 mph). The strike helped Barcelona win the match 4-0 and maintain its lead atop the La Liga table.
3. Steven Reid: 117.4 mph [188.9 km/h]
In 2005, Irish midfielder Steven Reid played for English club Blackburn Rovers when he scored a goal against Portsmouth, which was clocked at 188.9 km/h (117.4 mph). The strike helped Blackburn Rovers win the match 3-2 and maintain its lead atop the Premier League table.
2. Arjen Robben: 118mph [189.9 km/h]
In 2006, Dutch winger Arjen Robben played for the English club Chelsea when he scored a goal against Watford, which was clocked at 189.9 km/h (118 mph). The strike helped Chelsea win the match 3-1 and maintain its lead atop the Premier League table.
1. Ronny Heberson: 131mph [210.8 km/h]
The fastest-kicked soccer ball ever was by Ronny Herbertson at 131 mph is an incredible speed for a soccer ball. When it’s in the right spot, it’s nearly impossible to stop. In this instance, the defender was too slow to get in the way, and the ball flew into the back of the net for a goal.
This is an amazing feat, and the video of the event captured the ball as a complete blur. It’s hard to imagine anything moving that fast, but the speed is what makes this shot so difficult to defend. next time, maybe the defenders will be able to position themselves better or keep a closer eye on the opposing team’s players.
Conclusion
Soccer players have been setting records with their fast shots for years now. From Ronaldo Nazário’s record-setting strike in 1999 to Mario Götze’s game-winning goal in the 2014 World Cup final, these athletes have shown that they can pack a serious punch when they kick the ball. So next time you watch a soccer match, keep an eye out for those lightning-fast shots—you might see history being made! Thanks for reading!
