Nowadays, the height of a football player is often a major topic of discussion. It is a stereotype that goalkeepers should be tall, thin and over 6 feet tall and defenders should also be tall and strong. However, these characteristics do not determine a player’s fate in the game. There are some of the greatest players of all time who were not blessed with good height. Diego Maradona and Lionel Messi are perfect examples of players who defied such stereotypes. Today, there are many short players who have made their mark. Let’s take a look at the 10 most active short players in world football with Wintips.
Who is the shortest football player?
10. Xherdan Shaqiri - 5'5 feet tall
Xherdan Shaqiri is one of the most prominent players in world football, especially in the wing position. Born in Switzerland, he has had an impressive career, winning two Champions League titles with famous clubs such as FC Bayern Munich and Liverpool. Although not possessing an impressive height, Shaqiri stands out with his solid physique and outstanding strength, which helps him always show strength in confrontation situations.
What makes Shaqiri different is his ability to shoot from afar, especially with his left foot, helping him score many beautiful goals from a distance. One of his most memorable performances was at the 2014 World Cup, where he showed his outstanding talent and contributed to the impressive achievements of the Swiss team. His exquisite dribbling and deadly shots have made Shaqiri an icon of Swiss football, loved by fans around the world.
9. Alexis Sanchez - 5'5
Alexis Sánchez is a talented and classy winger from Chile who is known for his ability to create havoc on the pitch. Although his form has not been as good as it used to be in recent years, when he is at his best, Sánchez is a nightmare for defenders. He recently moved to Marseille in Ligue 1, but before that, he had a brilliant career at some of the world's top clubs such as FC Barcelona, Arsenal, Manchester United and Inter Milan.
Sánchez possesses excellent ball skills, with excellent dribbling ability and accurate shooting. He can easily beat any defender on his day, and often creates explosive moments on the pitch. With his pace, technique and excellent reading of the game, Sánchez has always been one of the most exciting and influential players for Chile and the clubs he has played for.
8. Joe Allen - 5'5
Joe Allen is a talented Welsh midfielder who currently plays for Swansea City in the EFL Championship. With his creativity and excellent ball-handling skills, he has been a key member of the Wales national team for many years. Allen is known for his ability to control the tempo of the game and his creativity in building attacking play from the midfield. He had a memorable spell at Liverpool, where he played for four seasons and made 91 appearances, although he was unable to establish himself as a regular.
However, Allen really made his name at Stoke City, where he spent six years. Here, he established himself as one of the best midfielders in the Second Division, with the ability to initiate attacks and maintain consistency in games. At Stoke, Allen became an important player, contributing greatly to the team's success and maintaining a solid place in the squad for many seasons.
7. Mathieu Valbuena - 5'5 feet
Mathieu Valbuena, also known as "The Little Prince", is a talented French midfielder who currently plays for Olympiacos in Greece. Now 37 years old, Valbuena is entering the final stages of his professional football career, but he still retains a huge influence on the football world. During his peak years, Valbuena was a powerful force in the French National Football Championship (Ligue 1), where he made a deep impression on big clubs such as Marseille and Lyon.
Valbuena is known for his skillful dribbling and quick turns, making him a nightmare for opposing defenders. His skill, speed and creativity have helped him achieve great success in his club career. Valbuena has also been a regular in the French national team, representing the country 52 times and appearing in major tournaments, with his last cap coming in 2015.
6. Marco Verratti - 5'4 ft
Marco Verratti is widely regarded as one of the best midfielders in the game, especially in the transitional midfield role. Despite not possessing the ideal height or strong physique of some other midfielders, Verratti has proven that these factors do not limit his ability. With his excellent technique, ability to regain possession and coordinate the game from the back, he has become one of the most important players in any team.
Verratti is not only an expert in recovering the ball, but also a real conductor, creating precise and decisive passes. He also does not hesitate to score from impressive long-range shots when necessary. Despite being only 1m63 (5'4 ft), Verratti still holds a special place in world football, highly regarded by coaches and teammates for his intelligence and the influence he brings on the pitch. Verratti's talent proves that technique and footballing mindset can overcome all physical limitations.
5. Lorenzo Insigne - 5'3 feet
Lorenzo Insigne is another player who has broken all the myths and stereotypes about height in football, and he is also a close friend of Marco Verratti. The Italian winger, despite his small stature, possesses great technical qualities and speed, making him one of the biggest threats in Serie A. Insigne recently moved to the MLS side this summer, marking a major turning point in his career. However, before leaving, he left a deep mark at Napoli, where he scored a total of 122 goals, becoming one of the club's legends.
With his superb dribbling ability and superb technique, Insigne easily finds space between defenders, something that many players may struggle with. His modest height is not a disadvantage but an advantage, making him flexible and difficult to predict in tense situations. Insigne's talent has always made him one of the most loved players in Serie A.
4. Maximiliano Moralez - 5'2
Maximiliano Moralez is an Argentine player who currently plays for New York City FC in Major League Soccer (MLS). Standing at a modest 160cm, Moralez has proven that height is not a determining factor for success in football. He is one of the cult figures of MLS, having spent more than nine years in the league. Before joining MLS, Moralez tried his hand in Europe with FC Moscow, but was not as successful as expected.
Although the average height of MLS players is around 178cm, Moralez has still established a solid foothold in the league. His hard work ethic and excellent ball skills have made him a rare exception in the world of football. Moralez stands out for his ability to distribute the ball, create chances for teammates and lead the team's play. He has proven that, with quality and dedication, any player can overcome physical limitations to succeed.
3. Daniel Villalva - 5 feet
Daniel Villalva is a talented and skillful attacking midfielder from Argentina who plays for Ferro Carril Oeste in the Argentine second division. Despite his modest height of 1.55 meters, Villalva is known for his excellent ball skills and agility. He is known for his accurate passing and excellent dribbling ability, which makes him a formidable threat to defenders. Throughout his career, Villalva has troubled many defenses with his skillful ball handling and lightning speed.
Although he has never played in European leagues, Villalva has had an impressive career in South American leagues, where he has shown his outstanding talent. Over the years, he has become a key player for the teams he has played for, making a strong impression with his creative play and ability to create dangerous chances. Although he has not played abroad, Villalva is still a beloved player in his homeland.
2. Elton Jose Xavier Gomes - 5 feet
Elton Jose Xavier, a Brazilian footballer, stands out for his modest height of only 154 cm, but has had an impressive career in the Middle East. Although he hails from Brazil, which is famous for its Samba football, Elton has mainly played for clubs in the Middle East and is known by the nickname "Elton Arabia" due to his special connection to the region. His career began at Corinthians, one of the big clubs in Brazil, where he showed outstanding talent. However, Elton moved to Al-Nassr, starting his journey to conquer the tournaments in the Middle East.
Throughout his career, Elton has played for many top clubs in Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates (UAE), where he left his mark with his technical and fast playing style. He has become an important player in the teams he has played for, delivering impressive performances and helping to elevate the league he has played for.
1. Marcin Garuch - 5'0 feet
At just 153 cm, Marcin Garuch is the shortest professional footballer in the world today. Born in Poland, Garuch has spent his entire playing career in the domestic leagues, especially for Polish clubs. Despite his short stature, he has become a very talented midfielder, known for his excellent ball control and excellent technique. Garuch has used his short stature to dribble past taller players, creating space and advantages for himself on the pitch.
Garuch's career is not only the story of a talented player, but also a great inspiration for young football lovers, especially those who feel that height can be a hindrance. Garuch proves that, despite his modest height, if he has passion, skill and effort, anyone can succeed in the king of sports.
Conclusion
The shortest football player in the world is often recognized as Lionel Messi, standing at 170 cm (5'7"). While Messi is not the shortest in terms of height, he is undeniably one of the most famous footballers with a relatively short stature compared to his peers. However, when it comes to professional players with the shortest heights, Marcin Garuch from Poland, at just 153 cm (5'0"), holds the title as the shortest active football player. Despite his size, Garuch has proven that height is not a barrier to success in football, using his agility and technical skills to thrive on the pitch. Both Messi and Garuch exemplify how talent and determination can outweigh physical attributes in the world of football.
