Speed has always been a crucial factor in the Bundesliga, Germany’s top football division. The league is known for its fast-paced style of play, counter-attacking football, and quick transitions, making it the perfect stage for rapid players to shine. Whether you are a Bundesliga fan or just love the science of speed in football, Wintips will give you everything you need to know about top speed Bundesliga.
Top speed Bundesliga records in history
Over the years, the Bundesliga has seen some incredibly fast players. Thanks to modern technology, player speed is now measured with great accuracy, allowing us to determine the fastest sprinters in the league. Below are some of the top speed records in Bundesliga history.
8. Nathan Ngoumou – 22.69 mph (36.53 km/h)
Despite Borussia Mönchengladbach's disappointing 2-0 defeat to Eintracht Frankfurt on Matchday 4 of the 2024/25 campaign, Nathan Ngoumou managed to stand out with his blistering pace and attacking intent. The French winger, one of the most exciting young prospects at Gladbach, recorded a top speed of 22.69 mph (36.53 km/h) early in the match, earning him a place among the Bundesliga’s fastest players.
Ngoumou’s acceleration and dribbling ability make him a constant threat on the wing, and even on a tough afternoon for his team, he remained a bright spark. His ability to take on defenders, stretch play, and burst into dangerous areas is invaluable for Gladbach’s offensive strategy. If he continues to develop his finishing and decision-making in the final third, he has the potential to become a key figure in the Bundesliga in the coming seasons. His presence in this top 10 list highlights not just his raw speed but also his growing influence as a winger capable of making an impact even in difficult matches.
7. Sheraldo Becker – 22.72 mph (36.57 km/h)
Sheraldo Becker, another Dutch speedster, has long been known for his explosive acceleration and ability to outpace defenders with ease. The former Union Berlin forward continues to hold his place among the Bundesliga’s fastest-ever players, recording an impressive top speed of 22.72 mph (36.57 km/h) towards the end of the 2022/23 season. This was no isolated instance of pace- Becker completed an astonishing 1,113 sprints throughout the campaign, underlining his relentless work rate and stamina.
His speed has been a crucial asset in Union Berlin’s attacking play, allowing him to break through defensive lines and create scoring opportunities for himself and his teammates. Becker’s previous personal best of 22.61 mph was set during the first half of Die Eisernen’s home fixture against VfB Stuttgart on Matchday 26 of the 2021/22 season. Over the years, he has refined his game, becoming a pace merchant and a well-rounded attacker capable of delivering in key moments. His ability to stretch defenses and exploit spaces made him one of the most dangerous players in transition play during his time in the Bundesliga.
6. Jeremiah St. Juste – 22.76 mph (36.63 km/h)
The sight of a center-back ranking so highly on this list might surprise many, but Jeremiah St. Juste is not your typical defender-he is blisteringly fast. The Dutchman, known for his exceptional pace and agility, secured his place among the Bundesliga's quickest players by reaching a top speed of 22.76 mph (36.63 km/h). This remarkable feat was recorded during Mainz’s clash with Union Berlin on Matchday 7 of the 2021/22 season.
St. Juste’s speed is a rare asset for a central defender, allowing him to recover quickly, chase down opposing forwards, and contribute to counter-attacks with rapid transitions. His athleticism and acceleration make him a nightmare for attackers looking to break away, as he can close down space in an instant. Beyond just his defensive prowess, his speed also allows him to carry the ball forward and initiate attacks, making him a dynamic presence on the field. Despite moving on from Mainz, his legacy as one of the fastest defenders in Bundesliga history remains intact.
5. Loïs Openda - 22.76 mph (36.64 km/h)
Speed and precision are a deadly combination, and RB Leipzig’s Loïs Openda showcased both during his team’s 3-1 triumph over Freiburg on Matchday 8 of the 2024/25 Bundesliga campaign. The Belgian forward not only played a crucial role in securing the win by scoring a goal and providing an assist, but he also etched his name into the record books by reaching a staggering top speed of 22.76 mph (36.64 km/h).
Openda’s remarkable sprint made him the fourth-fastest player ever recorded in Bundesliga history, and his rapid acceleration left Freiburg’s defenders struggling to keep up. His ability to change pace effortlessly and outrun opponents makes him one of the most dangerous forwards in the league. With three of the top four fastest speeds in Bundesliga history being set during the 2024/25 season, Openda’s performance further highlights the increasing emphasis on pace in modern football. If he continues at this rate, Leipzig’s star striker could soon find himself breaking even more records.
4. Karim Adeyemi - 22.77 mph (36.65 km/h)
Borussia Dortmund’s explosive forward, Karim Adeyemi, proved just how lethal his pace can be during his side’s dominant 5-1 victory over Freiburg in the early stages of the 2022/23 Bundesliga season. With the game well in hand, Adeyemi turned on the afterburners in the second half, setting a then-record speed of 22.77 mph (36.65 km/h). His breathtaking acceleration and top-end speed were not just for show-he utilized his incredible pace to break through Freiburg’s defense and score a goal, further cementing his reputation as one of Germany’s fastest and most dynamic attackers.
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Adeyemi’s ability to exploit space with his speed makes him a nightmare for defenders, and his record-setting sprint was a prime example of why Dortmund views him as a key piece of their attacking setup. Though his record has since been surpassed, his blistering run remains one of the fastest ever recorded in Bundesliga history.
3. Gerrit Holtmann - 22.83 mph (36.74 km/h)
Matchday 9 of the 2024/25 Bundesliga season was one to forget for Bochum, as they suffered a crushing 7-2 defeat at the hands of Eintracht Frankfurt. However, it was a day to remember for midfielder Gerrit Holtmann, who made history by recording the fastest sprint speed ever registered by a Bundesliga player at the time. In the first half of the match, the 29-year-old reached an astonishing 22.83 mph (36.74 km/h), breaking the league's speed record for the second time that season. Holtmann's remarkable burst of pace saw him narrowly surpass the previous record set by Conteh, making him the fastest player in Bundesliga history-at least for a few weeks.
His ability to accelerate and outpace defenders has long been one of his most valuable assets, and this record-breaking moment solidified his reputation as one of the Bundesliga’s quickest players. Despite the disappointing result for Bochum, Holtmann’s name will be remembered for setting a new benchmark in sprint speed.
2. Sirlord Conteh - 22.88 mph (36.82 km/h)
Matchday 13 of the 2024/25 Bundesliga season provided plenty of action at the Allianz Arena, where Bayern Munich secured a 4-2 victory over Heidenheim. While the visitors left without points, Sirlord Conteh ensured that the match would not be forgotten anytime soon. The Heidenheim speedster set the pitch on fire once again, recording a breathtaking sprint speed of 22.88 mph (36.82 km/h), breaking the Bundesliga record for the third time that season.
What makes Conteh’s achievement even more remarkable is that he had already broken the speed record earlier in the season on Matchday 2 against Augsburg, only to be overtaken by Gerrit Holtmann. However, not to be outdone, he reclaimed his place among the fastest players in Bundesliga history with yet another jaw-dropping display of pace. Coming off the bench in the second half, he unleashed a sprint that stunned spectators and proved just how vital his speed can be in breaking defensive lines.
1. Jean-Mattéo Bahoya - 23.09 mph (37.16 km/h)
The 2024/25 Bundesliga season has been a historic one for speed records, and Jean-Mattéo Bahoya ensured his name would be etched in the record books forever. The Eintracht Frankfurt winger became the first player in Bundesliga history to break the 23 mph (37 km/h) barrier, setting a new all-time speed record. The 19-year-old French youth international hit a staggering 23.09 mph (37.16 km/h) during the first half of Eintracht’s Matchday 26 clash away at Bochum, making him the fastest player the league has ever seen.
To put his incredible feat into perspective, Bahoya’s top speed is just a fraction behind Usain Bolt’s average speed of 23.35 mph (37.58 km/h) during his world-record 100-meter sprint at the 2009 World Championships. Such blistering acceleration is a testament to Bahoya’s raw athleticism, making him one of the most exciting young players in European football. If he continues to refine his technical abilities and decision-making, his elite speed could make him one of the most feared wingers in the game.
In summary
The 2024/25 Bundesliga season has been a groundbreaking one for speed records, with multiple players pushing the limits of acceleration and agility on the pitch. From Jean-Mattéo Bahoya’s record-breaking sprint to Sirlord Conteh’s relentless pace, the league has witnessed some of the fastest moments in its history. As football continues to evolve, speed is becoming an increasingly crucial factor in modern tactics, allowing players to exploit defensive gaps and create game-changing moments. With so many rapid athletes emerging, the race for the top speed Bundesliga record is far from over-fans can expect even more thrilling sprints in the seasons to come.
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