With ball at feet: Bale is the fastest player in the world

Gareth Bale is the fastest player on the planet with the ball at his feet, according to a study carried out by Mexican club Pachuca and endorsed by FIFA. The 'Cardiff Express' reaches a top speed of 36.9km/h and has surpassed Antonio Valencia, the Manchester United man who topped the standings last year. The Ecuador player has dropped to third, between Pachuca's own player, Jürgen Damm (22).

Bale hit top gear with his famous goal at the Mestalla, where he left Marc Bartra in his tracks and beat pinto to give Madrid victory in the final of the Copa del Rey (April 2014) and beat eternal rivals FC Barcelona. Bale is an athlete, pacing over 59.1 metres in just 7.04 seconds.

Jet-heeled Olympic champion Usain Bolt was impressed, saying: 'I think Bale is probably the fastest player in the world right now, but I could help him with his career if he wants.'

Fifth in the standings is Cristiano Ronaldo (33.6 km/h) and he is faster than Leo Messi (32.5 km/h), who sits seventh in the table.

The only defender who makes the top ten with the ball at feet is Real Madrid centre-back Sergio Ramos, who clocks 30.6 km/h.

Fastest players in the world:
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.