Previously, football was dominated by the notion that physical prowess outweighed technical and mental skills, favoring larger players. However, this belief has shifted, with shorter, highly skilled players now in demand. Can short individuals excel in football? Absolutely! The stereotype of height dictating effectiveness on the field has been debunked by numerous examples. Just look at the shortest football player who excels on the pitch.
Top 10 Shortest Football Players in the World
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 (5 ft 1 in or 155 cm)
Gomes is a Brazilian footballer who is 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 (5 ft 0 in or 153 cm)
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 (5 ft 1 in or 155 cm)
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. Lorenzo Insigne (5 ft 3 in or 160 cm)
The Italian forward, despite his height, is a world-class player known for his creativity and goalscoring ability. his lower center of gravity can be an advantage, allowing him to maneuver quickly and change direction with ease.
5. Jafal Rashed Al-Kuwari (5 ft 1 in or 155 cm)
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. Bruno Fernandes (5 ft 4 in or 163 cm)
Despite his stature, Fernandes has proven himself as a top performer, showcasing exceptional skill, vision, and leadership on the field. His success challenges the notion that taller players hold an inherent advantage in the sport.
7. Marco Verratti (5 ft 4 in or 163 cm)
Verratti is renowned for his exceptional technical abilities, intelligence on the pitch, and precise passing. His success illustrates that skill and determination can overcome any physical limitations, debunking the belief that taller players have an edge in the game.
8. Nabil Fekir (5 ft 7 in or 170 cm)
Fekir’s agility, creativity, and goal-scoring ability, despite being shorter, have made him a notable player, emphasizing the significance of skill and technique over physical stature in modern football.
9. Maximiliano Moralez (5 ft 3 in or 160 cm)
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. Isco (5 ft 7 in or 170 cm)
His skill and intelligence on the pitch surpass physical limitations, challenging the notion that taller players have an inherent advantage.
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.