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A top 10 list of the best shortest soccer players in the world right now
Claudia Kogi
updated at August 9, 2023 at 9:30 AM
There was a time when soccer was considered a big man's game, and physical prowess counted for a lion-share potion of what is needed on the football field, more than mental and technical abilities. But that is long gone today, as the shortest soccer players are often the best; players who have become legends thanks to their incredible stamina around those soccer balls.
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Since soccer revised its traditions regarding physical stats, many talented but short soccer players have emerged. The likes of Lionel Messi, Juan Mata and Santi Cazorla are amongst the shortest footballers known worldwide today. So, who are the shortest soccer players as of 2022? Let's find out.
Top 10 shortest soccer players in the world right now
Soccer is a very physical game, and there is no denying that when a player is gifted, they happen to be in a class of their own. However, one has to add that extra strength and stamina, or else he or she will be out of the game before they even get started.
According to recent data analysis, here is a list of the shortest soccer players who have proven that soccer is not a big man's game anymore.
10. Xherdan Shaqiri - 5 feet 6 inches
In the world of football, Xherdan Shaqiri is a well-known player. The two-time Champions League champion Swiss winger has represented powerhouses like FC Bayern Munich and Liverpool. Despite being short, Shaqiri has one of the strongest bodies in football.
He also has a unique left foot and a potent long ranger. He still has a place amongst the top Swiss football players ever with his World Cup performances from 2014.
Full name | Xherdan Shaqiri |
Date of birth | 10 October 1991 |
Age | 31 years of age as of December 2022 |
Nationality | Albanian, Kosovar, Swiss |
Height | 5’6” or 168 centimetres |
Weight | 159 pounds or 72 kilograms |
9. Alexis Sanchez - 5 feet 6 inches
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Chilean winger Alexis Sanchez is a refined and gifted player. Even while his recent form may not have been the finest of his career, when he is at his best, he is impossible to defend.
While playing for some of the top teams in the world, including FC Barcelona, Arsenal, Manchester United, and Inter Milan, Sanchez was sensational, and most recently relocated to Marseille in France. With his exceptional ball-handling skills, Sanchez is capable of outplaying any defence.
Full name | Alexis Alejandro Sánchez |
Date of birth | 19 December 1988 |
Age | 33 years of age as of December 2022 |
Nationality | Chilean |
Height | 5’6” or 168 centimetres |
Weight | 137 pounds or 62 kilograms |
8. Joe Allen - 5 feet 6 inches
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Welsh midfielder Joe Allen plays for Swansea City in the EFL Championship. He has been a crucial part of the Welsh National team for several years and is renowned for his inventiveness in the middle of the field.
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He made 91 appearances while playing for Liverpool for four seasons. Despite this, he spent six years as a midfielder with Stoke City, where he established himself as one of the most influential players at the second level.
Full name | Joseph Michael Allen |
Date of birth | 14 March 1990 |
Age | 32 years of age as of December 2022 |
Nationality | Welsh |
Height | 5’6” or 168 centimetres |
Weight | 137 pounds or 62 kilograms |
7. Mathieu Valbuena - 5 feet 6 inches
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French midfielder Mathieu Valbuena, often known as "Little Prince," plays for Olympiacos. The 37-year-old football player Valbuena is ending his professional career. He was, nevertheless, a significant player in the French League during his prime years.
Valbuena was a quick-turning, agile dribbler who played for Marseille and Lyon. Additionally, he played 52 times for France, making his final appearance for the squad in 2015.
Full name | Mathieu Valbuena |
Date of birth | 28 September 1984 |
Nationality | French |
Age | 38 years of age as of December 2022 |
Height | 5’6” or 168 centimetres |
Weight | 128 pounds or 58 kilograms |
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6. Marco Verratti - 5 feet 5 inches
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Marco Verratti is regarded as one of the greatest in the league when it comes to the ideal transitional midfielder. Despite not being the perfect midfielder's ideal height or physique, Verratti has disproved every preconception.
He offers managers a one-stop shop for recovering possession, controlling the game from the defence, or making long-range goals. Verratti stands barely 5'5 feet tall, yet he has a significant position in the football world.
Full name | Marco Verratti Cavaliere |
Date of birth | 5 November 1992 |
Age | 30 years of age as of December 2022 |
Nationality | Italian |
Height | 5’5” or 165 centimetres |
Weight | 132 pounds or 60 kilograms |
5. Lorenzo Insigne - 5 feet 4 inches
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Lorenzo Insigne, also Verratti's best friend, is another football player who has disproved all preconceptions and myths regarding height. The Italian winger, who recently switched to MLS this summer, formerly dominated Serie A.
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He had 122 goals in 122 games with Napoli before he left. His diminutive stature gives him an advantage in slipping past opponents despite his technical prowess.
Full name | Lorenzo Insigne Cavaliere |
Date of birth | 4 June 1991 |
Age | 31 years of age as of December 2022 |
Nationality | Italian |
Height | 5’3” or 163 centimetres |
Weight | 130 pounds or 59 kilograms |
4. Maximiliano Moralez - 5 feet 3 inches
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Argentine footballer Maximiliano Moralez competes for New York City in the Major Soccer League. After playing in the league for more than nine years, Moralez has become a cult figure. He also tried his luck in European football through FC Moscow, but he was unsuccessful.
The average height of MLS players is 178 centimetres, thus, a player who is 160 centimetres tall excelling in the league is a huge event. His disposition and abilities demonstrate that you can stand out if you have quality.
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Full name | Maximiliano Nicolás Moralez |
Date of birth | 27 February 1987 |
Age | 35 years of age as of December 2022 |
Nationality | Argentine |
Height | 5’3” or 163 centimetres |
Weight | 115 pounds or 52 kilograms |
3. Daniel Villalva - 5 feet 1 inch
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Another talented Argentine attacking midfielder is Daniel Villalva. He is now a player in Argentina's second level with Ferro Carril Oeste. Villalva is renowned for his sophisticated dribbling abilities and accurate passes.
Despite barely being 1.55 metres tall, he has long challenged defenders with his ability. However, he has only ever played in leagues in South America and has never played football in Europe.
Full name | Daniel Alberto Villalva Barrios |
Date of birth | 6 July 1992 |
Age | 30 years of age as of December 2022 |
Nationality | Argentine |
Height | 5’1” or 155 centimetres |
Weight | 110 pounds or 50 kilograms |
2. Elton Jose Xavier Gomes - 5 feet 1 inch
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Brazilian football player Elton Jose Xavier is 154 centimetres tall. Although he is from a Samba country, much of his playing has taken place in the Middle East. He is often referred to as "Elton Arabia" because of his particular affinity to the Middle East. Gomes moved to Al-Nassr after beginning his career with the Corinthians team, the Brazilian behemoth.
He has represented nearly all the elite teams in Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates throughout the years.
Full name | Élton José Xavier Gomes |
Date of birth | 7 April 1986 |
Age | 36 years of age as of December 2022 |
Nationality | Brazilian |
Height | 5’1” or 155 centimetres |
Weight | 130 pounds or 59 kilograms |
1. Marcin Garuch - 5 feet
Marcin Garuch is the shortest current professional footballer in the world, only 153 centimetres tall. He was born in Poland and has played his professional career in Polish leagues. He mainly plays in the middle of the field, where he can fool opponents with his talent with the ball and his diminutive stature.
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Kids who feel their fate is not decided by their height find a lot of motivation in Garuch, the world's smallest soccer player at the moment.
Full name | Marcin Garuch |
Date of birth | 14 September 1988 |
Age | 34 years of age as of December 2022 |
Nationality | Polish |
Height | 5’ or 152 centimetres |
Weight | 121 pounds or 55 kilograms |
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Crystal Alyssia Soubrier is currently the shortest female soccer player in the world. She is an American-based soccer player playing for the Portland Thorns FC of the National Women’s Soccer League, NWSL.
Full name | Crystal Alyssia Soubrier |
Date of birth | 3 July 1992 |
Age | 30 years of age as of December 2022 |
Nationality | American |
Height | 5 feet 1 inch or 155 centimetres |
Weight | 119 pounds or 54 kilograms |
When a player is on the shorter side, the idea of being short may hold him or her back, as most sports demand tall players to take advantage of plays. However, soccer is entirely different. One might still do really well despite being a short player; just look at Messi, Hazard, and others who have lit up the soccer world despite their short heights.
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So, who is better, Cristiano Ronaldo or Ronaldo Nazario? Click on the link above to find more information about the two legendary soccer players.
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