10 Shortest Soccer Players in the World

When it comes to soccer, height is far from everything. In fact, soccer is a rare sport where skill and talent can overcome physical size and height. Consider that the average Premier League player is about 5’11.9″ (182.75 cm), and roughly 75% of professional soccer players stand 5’10″ or taller. Despite those odds, an impressive number of shorter players (under 6 feet) thrive at the highest levels. For example, about 39% of Premier League players are under 6 feet tall, and nearly half of the league’s top scorers (like Phil Foden at 5’7″ and Mohamed Salah at 5’9″) are 5’9″ or smaller.

Image: A young soccer player demonstrating skill and agility, representing one of the shortest soccer players in the world.

The “shortest soccer players in the world” defy expectations. These diminutive athletes often use a lower center of gravity and exceptional ball control to outmaneuver taller opponents. In the paragraphs below, we’ll introduce the top 10 shortest professional players on record, highlight famous short soccer stars, and explain why being small can actually be an advantage on the pitch.

Why Height Isn’t Everything in Soccer

For most sports, height is a big advantage – but soccer is different. In soccer, a player’s technical skills, speed, and intelligence often matter more than stature. Legendary coach Giovanni Trapattoni famously said, “We’re not going to compete in the 5,000 meters at the Olympics, we have to play with our feet.” This sums up soccer’s emphasis on skill over size. Young players under 6 feet are common now; top talents like Lionel Messi (5’7″) and Xavi Hernández (5’7″) famously proved that you don’t need towering height to dominate the game. Even across entire teams, midfielders and wingers are often the shortest players because those positions reward agility and low center of gravity over aerial ability. In fact, World Cup data shows that midfielders tend to be the shortest position on average, highlighting that dribbling and quick feet can outweigh height.

Key statistics put this in perspective:

• Average height: Premier League players average about 5’11.9″. By contrast, our list players are 5’4″ or shorter – a full half-foot below average.
• Height distribution: Around 75% of pros are 5’10″+, meaning only 25% are shorter. The fact that so many top players come from that 25% shows the advantage of skill over size.
• Top scorers: Nearly half of recent Premier League top scorers are 5’9″ or under (e.g. Salah 5’9″, Foden 5’7″), proving shorter forwards succeed regularly.

Soccer’s flexibility means even very short players can find a niche. The greatest icons of the game include several “small” stars: Argentine legend Diego Maradona was just 5’5″ (165 cm), and Barcelona’s Lionel Messi is 5’7″ (170 cm). Both relied on close control and agility. Their success underscores that height isn’t a barrier – as one commentator puts it, “height is not the sole determinant of success in soccer”.

Advantages of Being a Short Soccer Player

Shorter players often enjoy specific advantages on the pitch. Because of their stature, they typically have a lower center of gravity, which translates to better balance and agility. This makes it easier to change direction quickly and stay on their feet in tight duels. In practice, many creative midfielders and wingers are relatively small because they can weave through defense and dribble effectively. As one sports science source notes, “short stature and lower center of gravity may result in better balance and agility”.

Some bullet-point takeaways on the perks of short players:

• Balance and agility: Lower height means a smaller center of gravity, helping players stay balanced when cutting or dribbling. This gives them an edge in quick turns and 1v1 situations.
• Dribbling and ball control: Many of the game’s best dribblers (Messi, Iniesta, Xavi, etc.) are under 5’8″, showing that refined technique often comes with a compact build.
• Speed and acceleration: Shorter legs can accelerate explosively over short distances. Players like Liverpool’s Salah (5’9″) and Brighton’s Lamptey (5’4″) use quick bursts to beat opponents.
• Tactical roles: Teams frequently deploy shorter players in midfield or wing roles where quick passing and movement are valued more than winning headers. Historical data shows World Cup midfielders are generally shorter than players in defense or attack.

In summary, a shorter player’s profile – “quick, low-slung, and technical” – can be a perfect fit for certain soccer roles. Coaches know that a player’s small frame can actually be an asset, allowing them to navigate tight spaces and maintain superb ball control. This is why the soccer world celebrates famous short soccer stars who have big impact on the game.

Top 10 Shortest Soccer Players in the World

Below are the ten shortest professional soccer players recorded, each standing well under 5’5″. These players come from leagues around the globe, proving that extraordinary talent can come in small packages. (Heights are given in feet/inches and centimeters.) Each entry includes notable details about the player’s career and impact on the sport.

1. Marcin Garuch (Poland) – 5’1″ (154 cm)

   Polish midfielder Marcin Garuch holds the title of the world’s shortest active professional player. At just 5’1″, Garuch plays for Miedź Legnica in Poland. His small stature has not stopped him from making a name: “Standing at just 5 feet 1 inch (154 cm) … Garuch is the shortest active soccer player in the world”. He uses his low center of gravity to dart past taller opponents, and his technical skill has made him a fan favorite. Garuch’s career in Poland’s leagues is a testament to how determination and skill can overcome height disadvantages.

2. Jafal Rashed Al-Kuwari (Qatar) – 5’1″ (155 cm)

   Long before today’s stars, Jafal Al-Kuwari of Qatar made history as one of football’s most diminutive players. A midfielder for Al-Sadd SC, Al-Kuwari stood only 5’1″ (155 cm). Yet he enjoyed a successful career at Al-Sadd, winning multiple domestic titles. As one source notes, “Jafal Rashed Al-Kuwari… stands at 5’1″ (155 cm), making him one of the shortest professional soccer players ever”. He compensated with excellent vision and passing accuracy, helping his team dominate despite his height.

3. Élton José Xavier Gomes (Brazil) – ~5’2″ (159 cm)

   Brazilian playmaker Élton “Elton Arabia” Gomes has also been cited among football’s shortest. Listed at about 5’2″ (159–160 cm), he spent his career as an attacking midfielder across Asia and Europe. Although sources vary (some list him as 1.59 m), he’s often mentioned in the same breath as 5’1″ players. A journeyman for clubs from Cruzeiro to Al-Wahda, Élton was known for his quick feet and assists. He may be small, but his “diminutive stature does not hinder his ability to deliver precise passes and dazzling dribbles”.

4. Ji-Sung Kim (South Korea) – 5’2″ (157 cm)

   Ji-Sung Kim is one of Asia’s most famous footballers and one of the shortest on this list. The South Korean midfielder, who starred for PSV Eindhoven and Manchester United, stands only 5’2″ (157 cm). Despite being short, Kim’s tireless work rate and versatility made him hugely successful. He won multiple UEFA Champions League titles with Man Utd. His career shows that even 5’2″ players can compete at world-class levels.

5. Benedict Vilakazi (South Africa) – 5’2″ (157 cm)

   Nicknamed “Tso,” Benedict Vilakazi is one of South Africa’s most decorated players. A creative midfielder, he stands 5’2″ (157 cm). Vilakazi played for Orlando Pirates and the South African national team, winning league titles and cups. His success, including scoring goals as a diminutive playmaker, demonstrates the impact that even the smallest footballers can have.

6. Madson Formagini Caridade (Brazil) – 5’2″ (157 cm)

   Another Brazilian named Madson (Madson Caridade Formagini) measures just 5’2″ (157 cm). He has played as a midfielder in Brazil’s domestic leagues. Like others on this list, Madson compensates for his height with speed and ball control. His career highlights include championship runs with teams like Cruzeiro and Botafogo, proving that 5’2″ players can find success at high levels.

7. Maximiliano “Maxi” Moralez (Argentina/USA) – 5’3″ (160 cm)

   Maxi Moralez, an Argentine attacking midfielder (now at NYC FC in MLS), stands 5’3″ (160 cm). Despite his short stature, Moralez has had a stellar career – he was part of Argentina’s U20 World Cup-winning team in 2007 and earned a World Cup Silver Ball and Bronze Shoe that year. He’s played in Europe and the U.S., known for his playmaking. Joker Mag notes he’s “just 5’3”… making him one of the shortest active players out there”. His example shows that a 5’3″ midfielder can rack up assists and vision.

8. Daniel Villalva (Argentina) – 5’3″ (160 cm)

   Argentine forward Daniel Villalva is another 5’3″ (159–160 cm) player. A product of River Plate’s youth academy, he became the youngest-ever debutant for River at age 16. Villalva has played in Mexico and Argentina, bringing pace and skill to the attack. Joker Mag describes him as “a 5’3” (159 cm) attacking midfielder” who holds records at River Plate. Like Maxi, Villalva’s career illustrates that 5’3″ strikers can still make an impact with their agility and work rate.

9. Tariq Lamptey (England) – 5’4″ (163 cm)

   Tariq Lamptey, born in London, is one of the shortest players in the Premier League. The fullback for Brighton & Hove Albion (and Ghana’s national team) stands just 5’4″ (163 cm). As of 2024, he was the “shortest and smallest active Premier League player”. Lamptey’s case is extraordinary: despite his size (119 pounds), he uses lightning-quick pace to bomb down the wing. His success in England’s top flight (and earlier at Chelsea’s youth ranks) shows that 5’4″ defenders can still excel at the highest level.

10. Lorenzo Insigne (Italy) – 5’4″ (163 cm)

    Finally, Lorenzo Insigne, the celebrated Italian winger, is listed at 5’4″ (163 cm). He may be taller than some on this list, but among top international stars he is notably short. Insigne starred for Napoli and the Italian national team. Joker Mag remarks that “at 5’4”, Lorenzo Insigne is a full inch shorter than his Italian teammate Verratti”. Despite this, Insigne was known for his work rate, technique, and scoring 18 goals for Italy. He captained Napoli and won the Euro 2020 championship with Italy. Insigne’s career proves that even players in the mid-’60s (inches) can become world champions.

Each of these ten players proves that being small does not preclude professional success. They use speed, vision, and technical skill to compete with larger opponents. Their stories inspire fans of all sizes, showing that passion and talent can overcome physical limitations.

Famous Short Soccer Stars

Beyond the list above, many famous short soccer stars have captivated global fans. For example, Lionel Messi – at 5’7″ (170 cm) – is arguably the greatest player ever. His dazzling dribbles and playmaking highlight how low stature can be a strength. Similarly, Diego Maradona (5’5″/165 cm) led Argentina to a World Cup title in 1986 and is remembered as a genius on the ball. Other well-known examples include Spain’s Andrés Iniesta and Xavi Hernández (both about 5’7″), and Chile’s Alexis Sánchez (5’7″), each achieving world-class status. Sánchez, for instance, stands at 5’7″ (169 cm) yet is “regarded as one of the best players to ever come out of Chile”. These stars show that many short players with big impact have filled history’s highlight reels.

Advantages and Adaptations

What explains the success of these smallest footballers? In addition to balance and agility, short players often excel in tactical roles. Many coaches place shorter, skillful players in attacking midfield or wing positions where quick feet and low dribbling wins out. Data from international tournaments confirms this trend: World Cup midfielders have a height range skewed toward the shorter end. Furthermore, because aerial duels are less important for some positions, short players can avoid certain traditional disadvantages. They simply adapt their game – focusing on ball control, passing range, and creative play. As one sports site notes, shorter players are generally midfielders by nature of their skill sets. In practice, players like Marco Verratti (5’5″) and Billy Gilmour (5’5″) thrive in the center of the park, while quick 5’4″ wingers like Lamptey and Fraser outrun their markers. In short, football’s greatest short players often adapt by making speed and technique their top assets.

Conclusion

The shortest soccer players in the world prove that height is no barrier to greatness. From Marcin Garuch’s 5’1″ hustle in Poland to Lorenzo Insigne’s Euro-winning heroics at 5’4″, each of these 10 players has defied stereotypes. They show that skill, determination, and intelligence – not stature – define soccer excellence. So the next time you watch a game, remember: a player’s height says nothing about how big an impact they can have on the pitch.

Which short soccer player do you admire most? Let us know in the comments below! If you enjoyed this list, share it on Facebook or Twitter to celebrate these small but mighty stars. And don’t forget to follow us for more soccer insights and trivia.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Who is the shortest soccer player in the world?
A: Polish midfielder Marcin Garuch currently holds the title of shortest active player, standing at 5’1″ (154 cm). He plays for Miedz Legnica in Poland. (As of 2025, he is recognized worldwide for being the shortest professional soccer player.)

Q: Who is the shortest soccer player of all time?
A: Historical records tie Marcin Garuch, Qatar’s Jafal Rashed Al-Kuwari, and Brazil’s Élton José Xavier Gomes at about 5’1″ (154–155 cm). All three men played midfield and reached professional levels despite their very short height, making them among the shortest players ever.

Q: Can short players compete at the highest levels?
A: Absolutely. Soccer is unusual in that skill and technique often trump size. Stars like Lionel Messi (5’7″) and Diego Maradona (5’5″) became all-time greats. Statistics show many top players are under 6 feet. About 39% of Premier League players are under 6′, and nearly half of the top scorers are 5′9″ or less. Short players can excel by using agility and quick thinking. In short, height is not required to reach elite soccer – dedication and talent are.

Q: What advantages do shorter players have?
A: Shorter soccer players often have a lower center of gravity, which gives them excellent balance and agility. This helps them dribble and change directions quickly. They also tend to accelerate rapidly over short distances. Many short players become creative playmakers or lightning-fast wingers, roles that value technique. (For example, 5’4″ players like Tariq Lamptey use their speed to beat larger defenders down the flank.)

Q: Who are some famous short soccer stars?
A: Among the most famous short players are Lionel Messi (5’7″, Argentina), Diego Maradona (5’5″, Argentina), Andrés Iniesta (5’7″, Spain), Lorenzo Insigne (5’4″, Italy), and Alexis Sánchez (5’7″, Chile). Each of these players has had a huge impact on the game despite (or because of) their smaller stature. They are celebrated as famous short soccer stars who redefined what a 5′-something player can achieve.