Who is the shortest football player? In the world of football, there are many players who possess modest height and their appearance may not be particularly remarkable. However, they still play at a top level and achieve success comparable to any of their taller, more imposing counterparts. In today's article, let's join admin Wintips to explore the top 10 shortest football players in the soccer world.
Top 10 shortest football player in the world right now
1. Élton José Xavier Gomes (Brazil - 1m54)
E. José Xavier Gomes is a Brazilian footballer who is 1m54 tall. Élton José Xavier Gomes plays as an attacking midfielder. He shows originality in football technique and has a characteristic African style. The small-stature footballer scored 11 goals for Al-Fateh FC, giving him his first league victory.
Blessed with good speed and incredible dribbling skills, Élton made his name playing for Saudi Arabian clubs Al-Nassr, Al-Hamriyah and Al-Fateh. Talent and effort are the keys to help this player have a football career that many other players of outstanding height must aspire to.
2. Daniel Villalva (Argentina - 1m54)
Daniel Villalva is a skillful attacking midfielder hailing from Argentina. He currently plays for Ferro Carril Oeste in the Argentine second division. Villalva is known for his dribbling and passing prowess. For many years, he has perplexed defenders with his skills despite standing at just 1.54 meters tall.
In 2009, he became the youngest player to debut for River Plate at the age of 16. Villava has also represented the Argentine national U17 team in the FIFA U17 World Cup held in 2009. Although not tall, every time playing on the pitch, everyone has to look up and admire the talent of Daniel Villalva.
3. Marcin Garuch (Poland - 1m55)
With a height of just 1.55 meters, Marcin Garuch is considered one of the shortest professional footballers in the world. He is also regarded as the shortest professional footballer in Europe. Marcin Garuch hails from Poland and plays as a midfielder.
He acknowledges that his height, though not ideal, helps him deceive opponents and control the ball better. He plays for the Miedź Legnica club in the Polish national league and is known for his excellent skills in dead ball situations.
4. Benedict Vilakazi (South Africa - 1m55)
Despite his modest height of 1.57 meters, Benedict Vilakazi remains widely known across the globe. In contrast to his small stature, Benedict Vilakazi's talent is incredibly prominent. He has represented the South African national team 31 times and is one of the beloved footballers by South African fans.
Vilakazi has been capped 31 times for the South African national team. Throughout his football career, Benedict Vilakazi has faced numerous controversies both personally and in his relationships with coaches.
5. Riko Simanjuntak (Indonesia - 1m57)
Riko Simanjuntak is an Indonesian footballer who plays as a winger. Born in 1992, he stands at a height of 1.58 meters. Currently, he plays for Persija Jakarta. Riko Simanjuntak has represented the Indonesian national team in the AFF Championship 2018 and the FIFA World Cup 2022 qualifiers.
Despite his small stature, Riko Simanjuntak has often posed challenges for taller players like Doan Van Hau in matches against the Vietnamese national team. It's evident that Riko Simanjuntak's talent shines brightly despite his diminutive stature.
6. Maximiliano Moralez (Argentina - 1m58)
Maximiliano Moralez, born in 1987 in Argentina, stands at a height of 1.60 meters, making him one of the shortest footballers in the world today. Currently, he plays as an attacking midfielder for Major League Soccer's New York City FC.
Despite his small stature, Moralez excels on the field, having earned awards such as the Golden Boot and Silver Ball in various national leagues. Despite his modest height, through skill and determination, Maximiliano Moralez has been called up to the national team of Argentina.
7. Levi Porter (England - 1m60)
Porter is a footballer from England, serving as evidence that height is not necessarily a barrier. Despite standing at just 1.6 meters tall, he shines on the field thanks to his exceptional football skills. Levi Roger Porter began his career with a one-year extension contract with Leicester City.
As of now, Levi Roger Porter has played for clubs like Hinckley United, Shepshed Dynamo, Melton Town, and has even represented the England national team. Some of the clubs Levi Porter has played for include Hinckley United, Histon, and Oadby Town.
8. Diego Bounanotte (Argentina - 1m61)
Diego Buonanotte was once regarded as a promising footballer for Argentina despite his height of just 1.61 meters. He has played for clubs such as River Plate, Málaga, Granada, and Universidad Católica. However, inconsistent form along with complicated personal issues have significantly impacted Diego Buonanotte's football career, causing a noticeable decline.
Recently, he seems to have disappeared from important matches. Diego Bounanotte's talent and ingenuity are undisputed but to play professionally in the future will be a huge question mark.
9. Christian Lara (Ecuador - 1m62)
Christian Lara used to be one of the stars of Ecuadorian football, having been capped 28 times for the national team and scoring 4 goals. However, Lara could not compete in the sky due to her modest height of 1m62. But Christian Lara's beautiful performances on the pitch also helped him become a standout player in South America.
Lara clubs used to stick with such as El Nacional, Barcelona SC, El Nacional, Deportivo Quito, Clan Juvenil... Playing experience and excellent technique make Christian Lara an impressive player in South America.
10. Lorenzo Insigne (Italia - 1m63)
Former SSC Napoli captain, Lorenzo Insigne, is one of the shortest players on the field currently, standing at just 1.63 meters, an extremely modest height. Despite this disadvantage, he demonstrates excellent dribbling skills and sharp technique, as showcased in the recent Euro 2020 tournament.
The 33-year-old player also possesses a powerful shot, which contributed to his country Italy clinching their second Euro title. Lorenzo Insigne is currently playing for Toronto FC in MLS.
Conclude
With the information we've just shared, it's evident that height doesn't entirely determine a professional football career. Despite being limited in height, these stars still shine on the field. They even command a large fan following worldwide. Of course, physique and athleticism still hold advantages. Follow more interesting articles at the bookmaker ratings website every day.
See also: 10 tallest soccer players in the world (2024 Rankings)
