Adelaide United’s Nikola Mileusnic clocks faster sprinting speed than Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi

HE IS faster than soccer superstars Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi, and has been clocked sprinting only marginally slower than Gareth Bale. But this A-League flyer reckons he would trade a little pace for some of his fellow speedsters’ skill.

Adelaide United winger Nikola Mileusnic has been clocked sprinting faster than some of world soccer’s biggest stars. Picture: Sarah Reed

HE IS faster than soccer superstars Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi, and has been clocked sprinting only marginally slower than Arjen Robben and Gareth Bale.

But Adelaide United winger Nikola Mileusnic reckons he would trade a little of his lightning pace for some of his fellow speedster’s skill.

The Reds flyer has been tracked running at 35.5km/h twice this season by the GPS unit worn by players during A-League matches. It makes his top speed faster than those attributed to Portuguese great Ronaldo (33.6km/h) and Argentinian legend Messi (32.5km/h).

According to reported GPS figures from several sources, it also ranked Mileusnic fifth on a global scale behind Bayern Munich’s Robben (37km/h) and Real Madrid’s Bale (36.9km/h).

“I was a little bit shocked because it is pretty quick,” Mileusnic, 24, said. “We get the results after every training session and if someone hits the highest speed, all the boys have a bit of a laugh and there’s a bit of banter. It’s pretty interesting and amazing to be alongside those (international) names.

“But if I could trade a few km/h of speed for some of their skill and a better touch, I definitely would be up for it.”

Mileusnic recorded his top speed in the 2-2 home draw with Central Coast Mariners on February 17 and again in the 3-0 away loss to Melbourne Victory a week later.

The former White City Woodville and Adelaide City talent regularly won the sprints at school sports days at Endeavour College, but never participated in organised athletics as a youngster.

Nikola Mileusnic has become a fixture in Adelaide United’s starting XI this A-League season. Picture: Sarah Reed

He said his pace had helped him stand out playing in the National Premier Leagues SA and become a first-team regular at national league level.

“As a youngster I was always pretty quick, but I was always one of the small and skinny kids so I wasn’t very powerful,” said Mileusnic, who has made 39 United appearances since 2016.

“As my body developed and matured and got stronger, I think I got faster. Having that pace and agility can definitely catch peoples’ eye.

“In the A-League everyone is quicker, so God knows where I would be if I didn’t have my pace.”

Mileusnic’s highest speed narrowly tops the AFL’s fastest players Toby Greene, of GWS, and Jarman Impey, of Hawthorn, who both clocked 35.3km/h last season. But it is some way short of three-time Olympic 100m champion Usain Bolt’s 44.7km/h.

Reds high performance manager Django Gentilcore said Mileusnic was naturally blessed with pace, given he had been in the professional ranks just 18 months.

“It would put him up there among the quickest footballers in the world,” said Gentilcore, who did not have data from other clubs. “His pace is a huge asset for us and it is definitely a strength in our side that we try to make use of.

“There are many fast players, but only a few really possess that special kind of speed that Nikola has. Hopefully with another good pre-season under his belt, we might see him reach 36km/h”.

Bayern Munich's Arjen Robben has been clocked running at 37km/h.

WORLD’S FASTEST SOCCER PLAYERS:

1. Arjen Robben (Bayern Munich/Netherlands) – 37km/h

2. Gareth Bale (Real Madrid/Wales) – 36.9km/h

3. Orlando Berrio (Flamengo/Colombia) – 36km/h

4. Theo Walcott (Everton/England) – 35.7km/h

5. Nikola Mileusnic (Adelaide United) – 35.5km/h

6. Antonio Valencia (Manchester United/Ecuador) – 35.1km/h

7. Jurgen Damm (Tigres/Mexico) – 35.2km/h

8. Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (Arsenal/Gabon) – 34.6km/h

9. Aaron Lennon (Burnley/England) – 33.8km/h

10. Cristiano Ronaldo (Real Madrid/Portugal) – 33.6km/h

11. Lionel Messi (Barcelona/Argentina) – 32.5km/h

Sprint champion Usain Bolt stops the clock at 44.7km/h.

ALSO FAST:

* Toby Greene (GWS/AFL) – 35.3km/h

* Jarman Impey (Hawthorn/AFL) – 35.3km/h

* Carlin Isles (USA/rugby union) – 37km/h

* Usain Bolt (Three-time Olympic 100m champion) – 44.7km/h

* Anna Meares (Australian track cycling sprinter) – 65km/h

* Winx (champion thoroughbred) – 68km/h

* A cheetah – up to 120km/h