Anthony Gordon recorded fastest World Cup speed, Barcelona cite as reason

Barcelona have completed the signing of England winger Anthony Gordon, a move justified by his World Cup debut where he hit a top speed of 37.92 km/h – the fastest recorded after the opening round – a figure the club highlighted as a key asset.

The English winger arrives with Premier League experience and Champions League pedigree, attributes that match Hansi Flick’s high‑intensity tactical approach at Barcelona. His playing style, characterised by relentless running, aligns with the coach’s demands for pace and pressing.

Fans first noticed Gordon during Newcastle United’s recent European clashes with Barcelona, yet the club’s recruitment department had been monitoring him long before those fixtures. The prior scouting underscored his suitability for a squad seeking immediate reinforcement.

At 23, Gordon’s age, combined with his work rate and tactical versatility, placed him among the standout candidates as Barcelona searched for players capable of quick impact. The club viewed these qualities as essential for strengthening the squad.

Gordon started for England in the World Cup opener against Croatia, playing 72 minutes, registering 17 actions and completing nine of eleven passes. The statistics reflected a solid, if not spectacular, performance on the international stage.

Throughout the match his movement constantly stretched the Croatian defence, while his pressing forced several turnovers from goalkeeper Dominik Livakovic. The intensity he displayed contributed to England’s sustained pressure.

Data compiled by the CIES Football Observatory and reported by SPORT recorded Gordon’s top speed at 37.92 km/h, making him the fastest player documented after the tournament’s first round. The figure stood out among the myriad metrics collected.

That speed even surpassed the average velocity achieved by legendary sprinter Usain Bolt in his world‑record 100‑metre run. Gordon also outran peers such as Micky van de Ven (37.38 km/h), Gabriel Martinelli (36.78 km/h), Bradley Barcola (36.72 km/h) and Djed Spence (36.62 km/h).