10 Soccer Player With The Deadliest & Fastest Shot To Goal In History

In soccer, there’s no shortage of jaw-dropping moments, but few things compare to the sheer spectacle of a player winding up like they’re about to launch a missile and unleashing a shot that could make a thunderstorm jealous.

These players have a knack for turning a simple kick into a full-blown hurricane, leaving goalkeepers wondering if they accidentally stumbled onto the set of a disaster movie.

From shots that could break the sound barrier to free kicks that leave defenders praying for divine intervention, these players have left a solid shot, oh, I mean mark, on the beautiful game.

10 Deadliest & Fastest Shot To Goal In Soccer History

When it comes to firepower on the football pitch, names like Cristiano Ronaldo, Steven Gerrard, and Roberto Carlos immediately come to mind. These players aren’t just renowned for their lethal shots; they’re synonymous with terms like “rocket” and “belter,” thanks to their ability to unleash thunderous strikes that leave goalkeepers rooted to the spot.

But they’re not alone in the pantheon of power hitters. From the likes of Frings and Paul Scholes to Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappe, football has seen its fair share of players who possess cannons for legs.

What sets these players apart isn’t just their ability to generate raw power; it’s their precision and knack for getting their shots on target when it matters most.

Whether it’s bending free-kicks into the top corner or rifling shots into the back of the net from impossible angles, these players have mastered the art of striking a football with deadly accuracy.

While it’s impossible to list every deadly shot in football history, these ten players stand out as some of the best when it comes to sheer firepower, and fastest.

1. Ronny Heberson – Sporting Lisbon vs Naval (210 km/h)

With a cannon of a left foot that struck fear into the hearts of opposition defences, Heberson became synonymous with ferocious strikes that seemed to defy the laws of physics.

His moment of glory came in 2006 while wearing the colours of Sporting Lisbon when he unleashed a free-kick against Naval that could have broken the sound barrier.

With the ball hurtling towards the net at a jaw-dropping speed of 210 km/h, spectators could only watch in awe as it found the back of the net with lethal precision.

Throughout his career, Heberson’s thunderous strikes from improbable distances earned him a reputation as one of the most feared set-piece takers in the game.

Whether it was from a free-kick or a long-range rocket, goalkeepers knew they were in for a challenge whenever Heberson stood over the ball.

In a game where precision and power are prized commodities, Henderson was a master of both, leaving a trail of battered nets and bewildered defenders in his wake.

2. Arjen Robben – Real Madrid vs Dortmund (190 km/h)

A virtuoso of the beautiful game, weaving his magic on the pitch with mesmerizing dribbles and a left foot that could paint the corners of the net with precision.

From his time at Bayern Munich to his spell at Real Madrid, Robben was a constant threat cutting in from the right flank, leaving defenders bewildered and goalkeepers scrambling to keep up.

The ‘Robben cut’ was his trademark move, a tantalizing dance that often ended with a thunderous shot that seemed to defy the laws of physics.

What set Robben apart was not just his ability to score, but the sheer power and accuracy he unleashed from angles that would make most players hesitate. His left foot was a sledgehammer disguised as a football boot, capable of turning any match on its head with a single strike.

And then there was that unforgettable volley for Real Madrid against Borussia Dortmund, a missile launched at the net with such ferocity that it set records, reaching an astonishing speed of 190 kilometres per hour.

3. Steven Reid – Blackburn vs Wigan (189 km/h)

Steven Reid may not be a household name, but his right foot was like a cannon on the pitch, capable of launching rockets that left goalkeepers shaking in their boots.

As a midfielder, Reid made a name for himself with his stunning long-range strikes, unleashing thunderbolts that seemed to defy the laws of physics.

One particular moment etched into footballing history occurred in 2003 while he was wearing the Blackburn Rovers colours. Facing off against Wigan Athletic, Reid received a pinpoint cross from David Bentley, setting the stage for his moment of glory.

With the clock ticking down, Reid seized the opportunity and unleashed a shot of pure power from outside the box. The ball left his foot like a bullet, hurtling towards the goal with such ferocity that it nearly tore through.

The velocity of his strike was recorded at an astonishing 189 kilometres per hour, earning Reid a place in the record books and leaving spectators in a state of wonder.

4. Ronald Koeman – Holland vs Tunisia (187 km/h)

Ronald Koeman, a titan of Dutch football, wasn’t just a defender – he was a maestro with the ball at his feet and a lethal weapon from set-pieces.

In an era when defenders were supposed to be all brawn and no brain, Koeman defied expectations, dazzling spectators with his ability to launch missiles disguised as free-kicks.

One of his crowning moments came in ’94 during a game against Tunisia, where he unleashed a free-kick that could have put a dent in the Iron Curtain itself.

His prowess wasn’t just limited to international glory; even in the heat of Champions League battles, Koeman was a force to be reckoned with. Who could forget that moment in the ’92 final when donning the colours of Barcelona, he sent a rocket past the bewildered Sampdoria keeper?

And if you thought his magic was confined to the pitch, think again. Koeman holds the honour of clocking one of the fastest soccer kicks ever recorded, hitting a blistering 187 km/h – enough to leave even the fastest sports cars eating dust.

With skills like that, it’s no wonder Koeman’s name is etched among the legends of the game, forever immortalized as one of football’s true masters of the art of the shot.

5. David Hirst –  Sheffield Wednesday vs Arsenal (183 km/h)

David Hirst, the English goal-scoring machine, wasn’t just a striker – he was a force of nature with a right foot that could shatter defences like a wrecking ball through the glass.

From the hallowed grounds of Sheffield Wednesday to the south coast battlegrounds of Southampton, Hirst’s name echoed through stadiums as a harbinger of impending doom for any goalkeeper unlucky enough to face him.

But it wasn’t just his ability to find the net from impossible angles that made him a legend; it was moments like his jaw-dropping volley against Arsenal in ’96 that etched his name into the annals of soccer history.

With a thunderous right foot that could generate more power than a hurricane, Hirst was the stuff of nightmares for any keeper brave enough to stand between him and the goal.

Though injuries may have prematurely ended his career at 32, his legacy as a Premier League stalwart remains untarnished, his name whispered with reverence among fans who witnessed his glory days.

While his international appearances may have been sparse, with just a handful of caps for England.

6. Tony Yeboah – Leeds vs Liverpool (160 km/h)

From his days gracing the pitches of Leeds United to his exploits at Eintracht Frankfurt, Yeboah was a magician with a ball at his feet, conjuring moments of pure brilliance from seemingly impossible distances.

But it was that thunderous strike against Liverpool in ’95 that printed his name into football history, a shot so powerful it seemed to defy the laws of physics as it nestled into the top corner of the net.

Yeboah’s cannon-like shot wasn’t just a spectacle; it was a force of nature, clocking in at a staggering 160 km/h – a piece of evidence to his unparalleled skill and raw power.

His heroics weren’t confined to the club level; Yeboah’s name rang out across Ghana and the entire African continent, cementing his status as one of the most prolific goal scorers in the region’s football history.

And who could forget his iconic celebration?

With a wag of his finger towards the crowd, Yeboah’s signature move became as legendary as his goals, a symbol of his dominance on the pitch.

7. David Trezeguet – Juventus vs Manchester United (154.6 km/h)

David Trezeguet wasn’t just a striker; he was a human cannon, capable of launching rockets disguised as footballs at unsuspecting goalkeepers.

With a blistering kick that once clocked in at a mind-bending 154.4 km/h, Trezeguet’s reputation for scoring screamers was as solid as his finish from close range.

From his days lighting up the pitch for Juventus to his heroics with the French national team, Trezeguet’s name became synonymous with lethal finishing and jaw-dropping strikes.

Who could forget his thunderous left-footed missile in the Euro 2000 final against Italy, a goal so powerful it practically tore the net asunder, claiming victory for France in the most dramatic fashion imaginable?

Despite battling injuries, Trezeguet’s goal-scoring abilities remained undiminished, with a staggering 138 goals in just 245 league appearances for Juventus, solidifying his status as one of the club’s all-time greats.

And let’s not forget his international exploits, where he terrorized defences and goalkeepers alike, racking up an impressive 34 goals in 71 appearances for Les Bleus.

In a game where power and precision often collide, David Trezeguet was a maestro who danced effortlessly between the two, leaving a trail of battered nets and broken dreams in his wake.

8. Zlatan Ibrahimovic – PSG vs Anderlecht (150 km/h)

Ibrahimović isn’t just a footballer; he’s a force of nature, a colossus whose thunderous shots could make even the strongest of goalposts tremble in fear.

With a kick clocked at a jaw-dropping 150 kilometres per hour during a Champions League showdown with Anderlecht, Ibrahimović’s name became synonymous with sheer power on the pitch.

Standing tall and commanding respect, Ibrahimović’s athleticism and technical wizardry have left defenders scratching their heads and goalkeepers quaking in their boots.

Whether it’s a blistering volley, a missile from midfield, or a towering header, Ibrahimović’s shots are like cannonballs hurtling towards the net, leaving little hope for anyone trying to stop them.

Who could forget his iconic bicycle kick against England in 2013, a goal so spectacular it won him the FIFA Puskás Award and left fans around the world in awe.

Off the field, Ibrahimović is as larger than life as he is on it.

With a personality as bold as his playing style, he’s never been one to shy away from speaking his mind. Yet, beneath the bravado lies a humble dedication to the sport that has carried him to the pinnacle of footballing greatness.

9. Roberto Carlos – Brazil vs France (139 km/h)

Roberto Carlos wasn’t just one of the greatest left-back; he was a one-man wrecking crew, armed with thunderous free-kicks and long-range missiles that struck fear into the hearts of goalkeepers everywhere.

His legend soared to new heights in 1997 when he defied the very laws of geometry with a free-kick against France.

From an angle so sharp it could cut steel, Carlos unleashed a rocket that swerved past the wall and nestled into the top corner, leaving spectators wondering if they’d witnessed magic or sheer madness.

With the ability to generate power that could rival a charging rhino and dip that would make a yo-yo envious, Carlos turned set pieces into his playground, earning him a spot among the all-time greats in dead-ball mastery.

But it wasn’t just finesse; Carlos also held the record for one of the fastest soccer shots ever recorded, clocking in at an eye-watering 138 km/h – a proof to the sheer force behind his strikes.

Starting his career as a forward in Brazil before finding his calling as a left-back, Carlos made his mark at Real Madrid, spending over a decade at the Spanish powerhouse and racking up an impressive trophy haul that included four La Liga titles and three Champions League triumphs.

10. Obafemi Martins – Newcastle vs Tottenham (135 km/h)

They say lightning never strikes twice, but when Obagoal stepped onto the pitch, thunder followed his every move.

The Nigerian striker wasn’t just a footballer; he was a weapon of mass destruction, leaving defences in disarray and goalkeepers clutching at thin air.

With a speed that could leave cheetahs in the dust and a shot that could rival a cannon’s roar, Martins made his mark on the global stage, showcasing his talents for clubs around the world.

Whether he was defying gravity with acrobatic goals or unleashing thunderbolts from afar, Martins had a flair for the spectacular, ensuring every goal he scored was etched into the memories of fans worldwide.

But it was his unforgettable volley against Tottenham Hotspur in 2007 while donning the colours of Newcastle United that truly encapsulated his shooting prowess.

A strike so sublime it seemed to defy the laws of physics, leaving spectators in stunned silence and clocking in at a blistering 135 km/h – proof to the sheer power behind his strikes and a warning to any keeper foolish enough to stand in his way.

From La Liga with Levante to Major League Soccer with Seattle Sounders FC, and even ventures into the Chinese Super League with Shanghai Shenhua and Wuhan, Martins left a footprint wherever he went, proving that when it came to scoring goals, he was truly in a league of his own.

Honourable mentions

• Alan Shearer 137.3 km/h
• Matt Le Tissier 136 km/h
• Richie Humphreys 153.5 km/h