Who are the 10 heaviest professional soccer players in the world currently?

Who are the 10 heaviest professional soccer players in the world currently?

Kevin Omuya
March 18, 2024 at 1:05 PM
In this article:
Harry Maguire logo
H.Maguire
Manchester United logoDEngland logo
Adebayo Akinfenwa logo
A. Akinfenwa
Wycombe Wanderers logoFNigeria logo
Thibaut Courtois logo
T. Courtois
Real Madrid logoGBelgium logo
Zlatan Ibrahimović logo
Z. Ibrahimović
AC Milan logoFSweden logo
Romelu Lukaku logo
R. Lukaku
Chelsea logoFBelgium logo

Weight plays a significant role in a footballer's career. Professional players often check their weight to maintain fitness. Some have distinguished themselves by surpassing the standard and shown that determination, aptitude, and expertise hold greater significance than physical stature. Despite their weight, some of the heaviest professional soccer players have enjoyed a remarkable career and won trophies.

Heaviest professional soccer players by 2024
Harry Maguire of Man United in 2024(L), AS Roma player Romelu Lukaku in 2024(C) and Adebayo Akinfenwa of Northampton Town in 2012(R). Photo: Visionhaus, Archivio Massimo, Pete Norton/Getty Images
Source: UGC

Table of Сontents:

Every athlete, from massive goalkeepers to powerful strikers, has a unique physical presence that affects games in different ways for their teams. Sports Brief looks at the world's top ten heaviest professional soccer players and their career achievements.

Who is the heaviest professional soccer player?

Players' weights fluctuate over time due to various variables, such as fitness regimens, injuries, lifestyle changes, and diet. We break down the top 10 heaviest soccer players of all time based on statistics from Khel Now, Rapid Leaks, Transfermarkt, and other reliable sources as of March 2024. The list includes current and retired footballers.

Player

Weight (kg)

Romelu Lukaku

93

Zlatan Ibrahimovic

95

George Elokobi

95

Thibaut Courtois

96

Lovre Kalinić

96

Kim Shin-Wook

96

Jannik Vestergaard

98

Roman Torres

99

Harry Maguire

100

Adebayo Akinfenwa

103

10. Romelu Lukaku

AS Roma's Romelu Lukaku during AS Roma vs Frosinone match
Romelu Lukaku of AS Roma in action during the Serie A TIM against Frosinone Calcio on February 18, 2024, in Frosinone, Italy. Photo: Ivan Romano
Source: Getty Images
  • Date of birth: May 13, 1993
  • Birthplace: Antwerp, Belgium
  • Nationality: Belgian
  • Current team: Roma
  • Weight: 93kg

Lukaku is one of the heaviest soccer players. The Belgian striker masterfully uses his natural strength to trick defenders. However, while he was a player for Chelsea FC in the Premier League, his weight hindered him and reduced his agility. With his strength, he can be a beast when facing defenders one-on-one.

9. Zlatan Ibrahimovic

The former AC Milan's forward Zlatan Ibrahimovic at Milan
Zlatan Ibrahimovic of AC Milan during the Serie A match against Salernitana at Stadio Giuseppe Meazza on March 13, 2023, in Milan. Photo: Ivan Romano
Source: Getty Images
  • Date of birth: October 3, 1981
  • Birthplace: Malmö, Sweden
  • Nationality: Swedish
  • Current club: Retired
  • Weight: 95kg

Zlatan is one of the greatest strikers, known for his strength and aggressiveness. The former AC Milan forward was a nightmare to the defenders, bullying opponents using his physiques. He showed no signs of deteriorating physically, guiding the Rossoneri to the Serie A trophy in 2022 after years of drought. The Swedish retired in 2023 at 41.

8. George Elokobi

Former Wolverhampton player, Geroge Elokobi currently the manager of Maidstone United.
George Elokobi, manager of Maidstone United, during the Emirates FA Cup Third Round match against Stevenage on January 6, 2024, in Maidstone, England. Photo: Crystal Pix
Source: Getty Images
  • Date of birth: January 31, 1986
  • Birthplace: Mamfe, Cameroon
  • Nationality: Cameroonian
  • Current club: Retired
  • Weight: 95kg

The legendary Cameroonian centre-back played in the National League and was among the heaviest. He surpassed the average of a football defender. Elokobi played for multiple teams, including Wolverhampton, for three seasons (2008 - 2014).

7. Thibaut Courtois

Real Madrid's goalkeeper, Thibaut Courtois during UEFA champions League match
Thibaut Courtois of Real Madrid during the UEFA Champions League match against Chelsea on April 18, 2023, in London, United Kingdom. Photo: Socrates
Source: Getty Images
  • Date of birth: May 11, 1992
  • Birthplace: Bree, Belgium
  • Nationality: Belgian
  • Current club: Real Madrid
  • Weight: 96kg

Courtois ranks among the best goalkeepers thanks to his heart-stopping reflexes, which have earned him multiple awards. The Belgian goalkeeper's weight is reasonable, given his height of 6'7". He helped Real Madrid win their 14th UEFA Champions League in 2022.

6. Lovre Kalinić

Former Aston Villa's goalkeeper, Lovre Kalinic
Goalkeeper Lovre Kalinic of Aston Villa looks on at Villa Park on February 16, 2019, in Birmingham, England. Photo: Malcolm Couzens
Source: Getty Images
  • Date of birth: April 3, 1990
  • Birthplace: Split, Croatia
  • Nationality: Croatian
  • Current club: Hajduk Split
  • Weight: 96kg

The talented goalkeeper was part of Croatia's historic 2018 FIFA World Cup run, where they finished runners-up to France. Kalinic also played for Aston Villa in the Premier League. He had inconsistencies in his career for several reasons, including his weight.

5. Kim Shin-Wook

Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors FC's Kim Shin celebrates a goal against KitcheeUtd
Kim Shin-Wook of Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors FC celebrates after scoring his goal against Kitchee SC at Jeonju World Cup Stadium on April 18, 2018. Photo: Power Sport Images
Source: Getty Images
  • Date of birth: April 14, 1988
  • Birthplace: Gwacheon-si, South Korea
  • Nationality: South Korean
  • Current club: Kitchee
  • Weight: 96kg

The South Korean striker has established himself among the best footballers in his country. His weight has helped him bully defenders and win aerial balls. Kim Shin-Wook starred for his national at the 2014 and 2018 FIFA World Cups. According to the Straight Times, he was the highest-paid footballer in the Singapore Premier League while playing for the Lion City Sailors.

4. Jannik Vestergaard

Leicester's Jannik Vestergaard during their Championship match against Leeds united
Jannik Vestergaard of Leicester looks during the Sky Bet Championship match between Leeds United and Leicester City at Elland Road on February 23, 2024, in Leeds, England. Photo: Michael Regan
Source: Getty Images
  • Date of birth: August 3, 1992
  • Birthplace: Hvidovre, Denmark
  • Nationality: Danish
  • Current club: Leicester City
  • Weight: 98kg

The Leicester centre-back has had an outstanding career for his club and country. Vestergaard's height and weight have helped him keep the pace with stronger strikers. However, the Danish footballer struggled to keep up with the Premier League when Leicester played in the top flight.

3. Roman Torres

Roman Torres during World Cup 2018 in Russia
Panama's defender Roman Torres reacts during the Russia 2018 World Cup match against England in Nizhny Novgorod on June 24, 2018. Photo: Johannes Eisele
Source: Getty Images
  • Date of birth: March 20, 1986
  • Birthplace: Panama City, Panama
  • Nationality: Panamanian
  • Current club: Tacoma Stars
  • Weight: 99kg

Roman Torres is a household name in Panama after leading his country to their inaugural FIFA World Cup tournament in 2018. The Tacoma Stars centre-back is known for his aggressiveness, leadership, and defensive skills.

2. Harry Maguire

Harry Maguire during Manchester United match vs Brighton
Harry Maguire of Manchester United looks on during the Premier League match against Brighton & Hove Albion at Old Trafford on February 15, 2022. Photo: James Gill
Source: Getty Images
  • Date of birth: March 5, 1993
  • Birthplace: Sheffield, United Kingdom
  • Nationality: English
  • Current club: Manchester United
  • Weight: 100kg

Maguire has faced multiple criticisms from Manchester United fans for his weight issues. The English centre-back gained weight, which slowed down his pace. Maguire is regarded among the heaviest Premier League players in the 2023-24 season.

1. Adebayo Akinfenwa

Wycombe Wanderers' Adebayo Akinfemwa during the Sky Bet League Play-Off game
Adebayo Akinfenwa of Wycombe Wanderers acknowledges the fans following defeat in the Sky Bet League One Play-Off Final match against Sunderland on May 21, 2022. Photo: Justin Setterfield
Source: Getty Images
  • Date of birth: May 10, 1982
  • Birthplace: Islington, London, United Kingdom
  • Nationality: English
  • Current club: Retired
  • Weight: 102kg

At 103 kg, the former striker is the world's heaviest football player. Adebayo faced a backlash about his weight throughout his career. The bulky Englishman played for over ten teams, including Wycombe Wanderers, Swansea City, Millwall, and Northampton Town. He is the heaviest professional football player ever.

Who is the heaviest soccer player ever?

Known by his nickname "The Beast," Saheed Adebayo Akinfenwa is undoubtedly one of the fattest football players in history.

Final word

Despite their weight, the world's heaviest professional soccer players have enjoyed illustrious careers. Some have faced criticism but remained focused. These sportsmen have used their physiques to make a lasting impression on the sport by commanding the attention of spectators with their commanding presence on the pitch.

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Authors
Kevin Omuya photo
Kevin Omuya
Kevin Omuya is a Content Writer with 4 years of experience who joined Sports Brief in 2022. In 2019 he held a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism & Digital Media from KCA University.