Earlier, football was considered a big man’s game in which physical fitness counted more than technical and mental capabilities. However, this concept has changed, and short high-skilled technical players are now at a premium. Can short guys play football? Definitely, yes! The notion that being tall makes somebody an efficient player is shattered by many nowadays. We can look at the shortest football players who are efficient.
Top 10 Shortest Football Players of All Time
Who was the shortest professional football player in history? Jack Shapiro holds the record for the shortest football player in the NFL with a height of 1.55 m. A lot of short players have made their mark in football recently. Let’s have a look at the World’s smallest footballers.
Who was the shortest professional football player in history?
- A. Jack Shapiro
- B. Levi Porter
- C. Marcin Garuch
- D. Maximiliano Moralez
1. Élton José Xavier Gomes
Gomes is a Brazilian footballer with five feet and five inches tall. He is a midfielder for Saudi club Al-Qadsiah FC and has a successful sixteen-year career. Elton Jose played for several top clubs like Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, and Saudi Arabia over the years.
2. Marcin Garuch
One of the World’s tiniest footballers with a height of just 153 cm. He plays for Miedz Legnica Club in the Puchar Polski. This Polish player is known as a deadly passer and distributor.
3. Daniel Alberto Villalva Barrios
Another skillful attacking midfielder from Argentina with a height of 5 feet, 0.63 inches. He is notable for his dribbling skills and classy passing accuracy. He played for the South American under-15 football championship, the under-17 national team, the 2009 South American championship, and the 2009 World Cup.
4. Samuel Peter Lee
Samuel Peter was the smallest soccer player in the world who enjoyed a long and decorated career. He spent most of his playing years with Liverpool from 1976 to 1986. Afterward, he spent some years with the England National team and became a successful team manager.
5. Jafal Rashed Al-Kuwari
At 5 feet 1 inch, Jafal Rashad was the other shortest football player in the world. He was captain of the Qatar national team and played as a midfielder for Al Sadd. He is currently the team manager and spokesperson for the club after his retirement.
You can also read the soccer players in movies, TV, and commercials.
6. Levi Porter
Levi Porter started his career with Leicester’s one-year contract extension in 2006. This Briton player is 5 feet and 3 inches. After a successful career journey, he joined the Shepshed Dynamo in 2014, identified as a reliable team member.
7. Benedict Vilakazi
Another short stature in soccer with a height of 5’1”. He is South African by nationality. His South African teammates address him as Little Napolean due to his tough leadership role. He was well-known for his physical and intense style of play.
8. Rui Gil Soares de Barros
The former Portuguese player was considered a dangerous attacking midfielder. He played for Portugal, Italy, and France. After his successful career of eight seasons, he moved into administration to manage the affairs of the team.
9. Maximiliano Moralez
One of the Argentine attacking midfielders with a height of 5’3”. He began his professional career with Racing Club in the Argentine Primera División. He was part of Argentina’s 2007 FIFA U-20 World Cup-winning team and nicknamed Frasquito.
10. Madson Formagini Caridade
The Brazilian football player who stands at 5 feet 3 inches played exceptionally well. In 2006, he began his senior career with Vasco da Gama. He was an attacking midfielder extremely fast and skilled.
Apart from these shortest players, here is the list of top ten football players in the world:
- Lionel Messi
- Cristiano Ronaldo
- N’Golo Kante
- Neymar
- Robert Lewandowski
- Paul Pogba
- Kylian Mbappé
- Virgil Van Dijk
- Kevin De Bruyne
- Sadio Mane
Also, You need to know the world’s weirdest football pitches.
All these famous shortest football players have made it to great places. They did not fall short in potential but only in physical appearance. Hope this blog helped you realize one can achieve anything with will and determination.