What is Messi‘s Top Speed?

Lionel Messi‘s fastest ever recorded speed is an astonishing 32.5 km/h (20.2 mph). While quick, this ranks him behind speedsters like Kylian Mbappé who has clocked an incredible 36 km/h (22 mph).

How Does Messi‘s Pace Compare to Other Fast Footballers?

Let‘s see how Messi matches up to some of the quickest attacking players in football:

As you can see, while clearly rapid over short distances, Messi does not have quite the searing pace of Mbappé or Bale. However, 32.5 km/h remains blisteringly quick.

To give some perspective on how fast that is, Usain Bolt‘s average speed when he set the 100m world record was 37.58 km/h. So at full tilt, Messi isn‘t too far behind the fastest human ever timed!

Analyzing Messi‘s Acceleration and Current Pace

While Messi‘s 32.5 km/h top speed is staggering, when you watch him play, his acceleration and ability to rapidly change direction stand out.

Science suggests that this explosive acceleration requires greater strength and power than achieving outright top speed. It‘s what gives Messi the edge to beat defenders who are often similarly fast in a footrace.

An analysis by Spanish newspaper AS using tracking data and video analysis gave some fascinating insights on Messi‘s pace:

• It took Messi just 5 steps and 2 seconds to reach his top speed from a standing start.
• His speed for the first 5 meters was 6.70 m/s, far beyond most players.
• Within 15 meters he hit 30 km/h – a frightening turn of pace.

This ability to unleash devastating spurts of acceleration serves Messi perfectly on the pitch. It allows him to pounce on loose balls or breeze past defenders from a standing start in the blink of an eye before they can react.

At 35 years old, has Messi maintained these dizzying acceleration skills and top speed? Let‘s examine some recent examples.

In a 2022 league match, Messi‘s touchmap shows he reached a top speed of 31 km/h during a dribbling run. Video examples show he remains as explosive as ever, leaving Bayern Munich and Liverpool defenders red-faced.

While he may have lost half-a-yard of top speed, his prowess at changing pace remains peerless. Few players can compete when Messi opens up the throttle.

Combining Speed With Technical Brilliance to Beat Defenders

We‘ve established Lionel Messi‘s speed stats prove he is amongst the fastest football players over short distances. But what makes him truly special is how he combines this pace with unmatched technical quality.

When analyzing Messi‘s iconic goals, you‘ll often see a lightning-fast dribbling run followed by perfectly timed changes of direction leaving defenders spinning. The burst of speed gets him into dangerous areas before bamboozling challenges arrive.

Let‘s examine a classic example – his stunning solo goal against Real Madrid at the Bernabéu:

• Messi picks up the ball inside his own half before turning on the afterburners, reaching 29 km/h within several strides.
• As Real defenders hastily retreat, he slows slightly before bursting forward again, hitting 31 km/h.
• As defenders close in, he drops his shoulder, changes pace and leaves them standing with a quick shift of direction.
• After beating three players, he nonchalantly chips the keeper. Jaws drop watching a genius at work.

This goal demonstrates how Messi‘s sudden acceleration, top speed, and agility combine to devastating effect. It renders even top-class defenders helpless, never knowing what‘s coming next.

One second he is coasting, the next – explosively reaching top gear and leaving flailing legs trailing behind him as he surges goalward.

How Has Messi‘s Pace Changed as He‘s Aged?

Lionel Messi made his Barcelona debut in 2004 as a nimble 17-year-old. That light-footed teenager blessed with devastating acceleration has evolved into a veteran superstar at 35 years old. But how has time impacted his speed?

Let‘s examine the evidence:

• Aged 24: During his peak years, Messi hit a top speed of 32.5 km/h according to Opta data.
• Aged 30: In 2017/18 he registered a top sprint of 31 km/h, evidence he was maintaining speed even in his thirties.
• Aged 35: As analyzed earlier, he remains capable of reaching 31 km/h during matches in 2022.

The data suggests that while Messi may have lost half-a-yard of outright pace, he has generally maintained speed very well throughout his career. Importantly, his acceleration and ability to effortlessly glide past defenders remains mesmerizing well into his mid-thirties.

Sports scientist Simon Brundish notes that Messi has adapted his style to conserve bursts of speed for when they matter most – as devastating offensive weapons. He‘s no longer pointlessly racing from box-to-box like in his early years.

In my opinion, this ability to ration pace demonstrates exceptional football intelligence – knowing exactly when to utilize his turn of speed for maximum impact.

Final Analysis: Just How Rapid is Lionel Messi?

Given the numbers and analysis examined in this piece, I believe we can conclude:

• Lionel Messi‘s top recorded speed is 32.5 km/h – extremely rapid but not quite as fast as speed demons like Mbappé.
• However, his explosive acceleration and ability to change pace is virtually unmatched in football.
• This allows Messi to utterly bamboozle world-class defenders – the blistering bursts of speed taking him into dangerous areas before defenders can react.
• While Messi may have lost around half-a-yard of outright pace, his in-game speed and acceleration remains utterly jaw-dropping well into his thirties.

So in summary – Just how rapid is Lionel Messi exactly? Rapid enough to have destroyed the best defenses on the planet for over 15 years with his dazzling turn of speed!