10 Of The Shortest Soccer Players In The World

Soccer definitely is a game that has to do with physique and it’s true that the first advantage of a player is his height. But then, a Player should add that extra strength else, the height advantage would not be regarded in the gameplay.

Although, height in soccer can be ironic, as we have some players who are gainfully blessed with heights but do not make use of the advantage on the pitch. A classical example is found in a Nigerian youngster.

Paul Onuachu. Much shouldn’t be said about him; it’s apparent he lacks the physical presence on the pitch.

The aforementioned ironic and glaring thing about height in football is that we have some players who are not the tallest of footballers but are wizards. They’re not much. Also, it must be stated that this is not to take a dig at some short footballers or discredit them due to their height.

This article was first published in March 2020, updated on June 09, 2023

Who is the shortest soccer player ever?

When hearing about short soccer players, which player comes to your mind? Lionel Messi? Juan Mata? Or Santi Carzola. Who?

If you actually think Messi is the shortest of players we have around, this article will definitely burst your bubble because Messi is way taller than some of his colleagues.

Alexis Sanchez – Chile (5 feet 6 and a half inches)

Surprisingly, the Chilean forward is much taller than some of the players envisaged to be taller than him and when talking about players that aren’t so tall but are having a glamorous career, Alexis definitely must be mentioned.

According to research, the former Arsenal winger is 1.69m tall, meaning that he’s of a higher height than some of his contemporaries.

Joe Allen – Wales (5 feet and 6 inch)

Joe joined Liverpool in 2012 and made 132 appearances for the Merseyside outfit after which he signed for Stoke City in 2016. His natural position for both club and country is the central and defensive midfield position.

During his stay at Stoke, he was tagged as the ‘Welsh Andrea Pirlo’ due to his facial appearance that looks like the Juventus legend. He has a height of 1.68m; which means that he is 5 feet, 6 inches tall. Moreso, he was the shortest soccer player in FIFA 19.

Ngolo Kanté – France (5 feet and 6 inch)

Here comes a French professional footballer who plays as a central midfielder for Premier League club Chelsea and the France national team. Kanté is widely considered one of the best midfielders in the world.

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A dynamic, diminutive, and disciplined player, Kanté is known for his relentless energy and excellent ball-winning abilities as a box-to-box midfielder.

This is attributed to his strong positional sense, off-the-ball movement, and ability to read the game. He’s of the same height (1.68m) as Joe Allen, and also 5feet and 6 inches tall.

Mathieu Valbuena – (5 feet and 6 inch)

Valbuena was born in the southwestern commune of Bruges in the Gironde department to mother Brigitte and father Carlos. He is of Spanish origin through his father, who is originally from the city of Valladolid. Valbuena’s father works for the city council of Bordeaux.

During the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil, The French international was one of the shortest players in the tournament. He’s got 1.67m of height.

Lorenzo Insigne – Italy (5 feet and 4 inch)

A regular member of the Italian National Team since he broke into the team in September 2012.

The 28-year-old is a Thorn in the flesh of defenders in Italy and Europe. Also, he’s one of the best attackers in the Italian Serie A. He has a height of 1.63m.

Madson Formagini – Brazil (5 feet 3 inches)

The talented Brazilian currently plays for the Brazilian club Fortaleza FC. Madson is a player that has made a name for himself in the Southern American region but due to his inconsistency, he didn’t have the chance to appear for the Brazil National team at any competition.

The football prodigy is 1.57m tall; as a result of his height, he has a spot in our list of the World’s shortest footballers.

Jafal Rashed Al-Kuwari – Qatar (5 feet 1 inch)

Jafal is a midfielder for Qatari side Al-Sadd, Al-Kuwari retired in 2009 after a farewell match against AC Milan. He played alongside his brother, Fahad Rashed Al-Kuwari, in the 1992 Summer Olympics for the Qatar U-23 side.

His height stands at 1.55m. There was a time when the former Qatari captain was the shortest footballer in the world but was after a couple of months by some other gentlemen whose name will pop up later in this piece.

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Marcin Garuch – Poland (5 feet and 1 inch)

Marcin Garuch is a Polish international with a height at 1.54m or 5 feet and 1 inch. Garuch plays for a club named Miedz Legnica in the Puchar Polski. Aged 24, Garuch has been known to be excellent in dead-ball situations and uses his size to move the ball quickly up to the forwards.

He’s also one of the most excellent players the Polish nation has ever produced but his height has given him a mention in our list of shortest footballers.

Daniel Alberto Villalva Barios – Argentina (5 feet and 1 inch)

Daniel Alberto Villalva Barrios who is simply known as Daniel Villalva is a professional football player and Argentine by birth. He is playing as an attacker albeit for the Brazilian club side, Goiás. But he’s yet to make his debut.

He is currently 27 years old and played for Argentina Under 17 team. He is currently one of the shortest football players in the World with his height at 1.54m.

Elton Jose Xavier Gomes – Brazil (5 feet and 0.63 inches)

One beautiful thing about putting up an article that talks about short football players are that most of those players are from the Southern American region. Hope you’re not thinking about Lionel Messi again.

Elton Jose is a 33-year-old Brazilian who funnily has played for 12 clubs and at some point played in Europe and Asia.

He’s definitely one of the players to have played for more than ten clubs. However, due to his height, his place in this piece is certain because he’s 1.54m tall and he’s the shortest football player in the world as of now.

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FAQ

Who is the shortest player in football?

Elton Jose Xabier!

There are plenty of footballers around the world who haven’t been recognized as much, He is the shortest footballer of all time. At 1.54 meters, Elton Gomes is a Brazilian who plays as an attacking midfielder for UAE-based Al-Hamriya Sports Club.

Who is the shortest NFL player in 2022?

Based on the 2021-22 season, New England Patriots’ J.J. Taylor was not only the shortest football player in the NFL, he was also the shortest running back in football.

Who is the shortest footballer in Europe?

Lorenzo Insigne (5’4″, Forward, Napoli, Italy)

Who is the shortest footballer in the Premier League?

Cedric Soares is the Gunners’ smallest, though, standing at 171cm (5ft 7¼in)

Are NFL players short?

The average height of the men playing in the last World Cup was 182.4 cm or 6’0” feet tall. That’s taller than the average American male, who measures 5’9”, but it’s slightly shorter than the averages for the NHL and MLB (both 6’1”) and the NFL (6’2”).

Who is the shortest player in the Premier League 2021?

Ryan Fraser (Newcastle United) is the smallest player in the entire Premier League rather fittingly rounds off our XI.

Who is the smallest goalkeeper in the Prem?

Jed Steer (6ft 0in / 183 cm)

Back-up keeper to both Emi Martinez and Tom Heaton at Aston Villa, Steer is the current Premier League smallest goalkeeper at exactly six feet tall.

Who is the tallest man in football?

Kristof Van Hout is reported to be the tallest professional football player in the world and he stands at a mighty 6’10” tall. The goalkeeper currently plies his trade for K.V. Kortrijk in the Belgian Pro League after moving from better-known Standard Liege.

Who is the heaviest player in soccer?

1st place: Adebayo Akinfenwa – 104 Kg: Heaviest footballers.

Can soccer make you taller?

Playing soccer will not make you short. In fact, playing soccer can help stretch and grow your leg muscles resulting in a taller lower body and a slight increase in height overall. Over time, however, most people will shrink no matter how much soccer they play, just a side effect of aging.

Is 5/6 a good height for a man?

At 5′10 inches you are the benchmark for human males. If someone is taller than you they are tall and if they are shorter than you then they are short.

Who is the tallest defender in Premier League 2022?

Dan Burn – 201cm – 6ft 7.1in – Defender – (Brighton & Hove Albion/England) Dan Burn is an English defender who plays for Premier League side Brighton & Hove Albion.

Who is the smallest keeper in FIFA 22?

Aditya Patra

The answer is Aditya Patra from Bengaluru FC (206 cm). The 2nd shortest goalkeeper is Arsh Shaikh from ATK Mohun (170 cm).

Why are goalkeepers tall?

It is easier for a tall keeper to develop his game by air. High-air balls are easier to catch for him because of his height. For field players it is very hard to win a header to a tall goalkeeper. Being tall also gives you more confidence that you can reach those air balls easier

Who is the fattest professional footballer?

William Foulke. The fattest professional footballer of all time is William Foulke, who is also known as William “Fatty” Foulke. A large man with 6ft-4 height and weighed around 300 lbs towards the end of his career.

Who is the skinniest soccer player?

Ángel di María, who weighs just 75 kilos and is 1.78m tall.

What food makes you taller?

Beans.
Chicken.
Almonds.
Leafy greens.
Yogurt.
Sweet potatoes
Quinoa.
Eggs.

Which sport makes you taller?

Sports like basketball, tennis, and badminton are all great ways to promote growth hormones in the body and help your child grow taller. Running, swimming, and cycling are also great options. Exercises are great to promote growth spurts.

Who is the tallest goalkeeper in the Premier League 2022?

Premier League’s tallest ever players revealed, including Brighton’s 6ft 8 giant goalkeeper Kjell Sharpen

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