Who is the shortest footballer in the world?

Polish player Marcin Garuch is the shortest footballer in the world at a height of 5 feet (153 centimeters).

For a long time, football was traditionally viewed as a sport meant only for the tallest, strongest and biggest players because of its physical nature. However, players like Diego Maradona, Lionel Messi, Xavi, and Andres Iniesta have proven over the years that even those with small stature can shine brightly provided they have the necessary technical ability, strength and stamina and can even become one of the greatest of all time.

In this list, we will talk about the shortest footballer in the world and the accompanying players in the top 10 list. The careers of these players are also a sign that anything can be achieved with talent, hard work and dedication in football.

Shortest footballer in the world: Full list of players

Marcin Garuch – 5 feet (153 cm)

Marcin Garuch is believed to be the shortest professional footballer who is currently active. At a height of 5 feet or just 153 cm, Garuch plays for Miedź Legnica in Poland. He is a midfielder who uses his small stature to fool opposition players and thanks to his low centre of gravity, he is nifty on the ball and can dribble his way out of troubling situations. He also has strong technical skill and progresses the ball quickly to the forwards of his side.

Elton Jose Xavier Gomes – 5 feet 1 inch (155 cm)

Élton José Xavier Gomes is a Brazilian footballer who is 5 feet 1 inch or 155 cm tall. Although he hails from the country with five World Cups to their name, he has spent most of his career in the Middle East. In fact, such is his affinity for playing in the Middle East that he has earned the nickname ‘Elton Arabia’.

He currently plays as an attacking midfielder for Al Qadsiah FC in Saudi Arabia. Although he began his career with Brazilian behemoths Corinthians, he has played for a variety of middle eastern clubs in Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates over the years.

Daniel Alberto Villalva Barrios – 5 feet 1 inch (155 cm)

Daniel Alberto Villalva Barrios is a talented Argentine attacking midfielder who possesses a height of 5 feet 1 inch or 155 cm. He is currently plying his trade for second-division Argentine side Ferro Carril Oeste. Villalva is renowned for his dribbling abilities as well as his ability to produce long passes. In 2009, he became the youngest player ever to play for River Plate. However, despite the strong start to his career, he has never played in Europe.

Maximiliano Nicolas Moralez – 5 feet 3 inches (163 cm)

Next on the list is another Argentine midfielder Maximiliano ‘Maxi’ Nicolas Moralez who stands at 5 feet 3 inches or 163 cm. Maxi plays for Racing Club de Avellaneda in the Argentine Primera Division and he had earlier represented New York City FC in the Major League Soccer in America. He played in the MLS for over nine years and has become a cult figure over the years. Maxi had also played in Europe with FC Moscow but that stint proved to be unsuccessful.

Lorenzo Insigne – 5 feet 3 inches (163 cm)

Lorenzo Insigne is an Italian footballer who was one of the best wingers in the world during his prime. Insigne disproved pre-conceived notion and myths regarding height and he was a stellar footballer with immense technical ability. Insigne is a modern-day legend at Napoli where he spent nearly 12 years and scored 122 goals while assisting 95 times in 434 matches. Insigne, who stands at 5 feet 3 inches or 163 cms, now plays for Toronto FC in the MLS.

Marco Verratti – 5 feet 5 inches (165 cm)

Marco Verratti is regarded as one of the most impressive midfielders playing in the modern generation and he has been on top of his game for a long time now. Just 5 feet 5 inches tall, Verratti is full of heart and grit and commits to the defensive side of the game brilliantly with excellent last-ditch tackles.

Also Read: Who is the best playmaker in football?

Moreover, he is immensely press-resistant and hard to dispossess and can spray long passes to the forwards efficiently all day long. Verratti has been an integral part of Paris Saint-Germain for over a decade and he has also won the European Championship with Italy.

Mathieu Valbuena – 5 feet 6 inches (168 cm)

French midfielder Mathieu Valbuena is next on this list with a height of 5 feet and 6 inches or 168 cm. Valbuena, who often goes by the nickname ‘Little Prince’, plays for Olympiacos FC in Greece. Valbuena is known for his performances in Ligue 1 with clubs like Marseille and Lyon. He was an explosive player who was capable of taking out players with his quick feet and skills and possesses brilliant technical skills.

Joe Allen – 5 feet 6 inches (168 cm)

Welsh midfielder Joe Allen stands at a height of 5 feet 6 inches or 168 cm. Allen now plies his trader for Swansea City in the second division of English Football, Championship. However, he has played for top clubs like Liverpool and Stoke City and has also represented his national team on 72 occasions.

More recently, Allen also helped Wales reach the FIFA World Cup 2022 finals for the first time since 1958 and is still recognised as one of the best midfielders in the lower division in England.

Alexis Sanchez – 5 feet 6 inches (168 cm)

Alexis Sanchez was a phenomenal player in his prime and he is regarded as a modern-day Arsenal and Chile legend. The 5 feet 6 inch-tall winger, who has also played for Barcelona, Manchester United, and Inter, was one of the best in the world during his heyday.

Alexis helped Chile win two back-to-back Copa America trophies in 2015 and 2016, ending his country’s 99-year drought of silverware. Alexis currently plays for Marseille in France after spending time with Inter in Italy.

Xherdan Shaqiri – 5 feet 6 inches (168 cm)

Xherdan Shaqiri, once known as ‘Alpine Messi’ due to his short stature, dribbling talent and eye for goal and final pass, is also an immensely popular footballer. Shaqiri started his career with Bayern Munich in emphatic fashion and quickly become a household name. However, following his move to Inter, he started losing his way before arriving at Liverpool where he spent three seasons and won the Premier League as well as the Champions League.

Shaqiri now plays for Chicago Fire in MLS and is 5 feet 6 inches tall. He is also quite stocky for a player his size and weighs 72 kg.

FAQs

Which woman leads the list of the shortest football players in the world?

Crystal Alyssia Soubrier, who plays for Portland Thorns FC in the National Women’s Soccer League NWSL, is the shortest woman footballer in the world. She has a height of 5 feet 1 inch or 165 cm.

Who are the shortest football players of all time?

Marcin Garuch is believed to be one of the shortest soccer players of all time at a height of 5 feet (153 cm).

How tall is Jafal Rashed Al Kuwari?

Former Qatari footballer Jafal Rashed Al Kuwari was one of the most shortest footballers in the world with a height of 155 cm or 5 feet 1 inch. He retired from football in 2009 after a friendly match with AC Milan.

How tall is Rui Gil Soares de Barros?

Former Portuguese footballer Rui Gil Soares de Barros was 5 feet 3 inches or 159 cm tall. He had played for clubs like Porto, Juventus, Monaco, and Marseille and also represented the Portuguese national team on 36 occasions.