This list will discuss the world’s shortest footballer and the other players in the top ten list. These players’ careers demonstrate that with talent, hard work, and dedication, anything is possible in football.
Shortest Footballer In The World: Full List Of Players
1. Marcin Garuch – 5 feet (153 cm)
Marcin Garuch is believed to be the smallest active professional footballer. Garuch, who stands 5 feet (153 cm) tall, plays for Miedź Legnica in Poland. He is a midfielder who uses his diminutive stature to confuse opposing players. Because of his low center of gravity, he is quick on the ball and can dribble his way out of difficult circumstances. He also has excellent technical ability and can get the ball to his team’s forwards fast.
2. Elton Jose Xavier Gomes – 5 feet 1 inch (155 cm)
Élton José Xavier Gomes is a Brazilian footballer who stands 5 feet 1 inch (155 cm) tall. Although he is from a country with five World Cups to its name, he has spent the majority of his career in the Middle East. In fact, his fondness for performing throughout the Middle East has given him the nickname ‘Elton Arabia’.
He now plays attacking midfield for Al Qadsiah FC in Saudi Arabia. Although he started his career with Brazilian powerhouse Corinthians, he has since played for several Middle Eastern clubs in Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates.
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3. Daniel Alberto Villalva Barrios – 5 feet 1 inch (155 cm)
Daniel Alberto Villalva Barrios is a good Argentine offensive midfielder with a height of 5 feet 1 inch (155 cm). He now plays for Ferro Carril Oeste in Argentina’s second tier.
Villalva is well-known for his dribbling skills as well as his ability to make long passes. In 2009, he made history as the youngest River Plate player. However, despite his promising start, he has never played in Europe.
4. Maximiliano Nicolas Moralez – 5 feet 3 inches (163 cm)
The next Argentine midfielder on the list is Maximiliano ‘Maxi’ Nicolas Moralez, who measures 5 feet 3 inches (163 cm) tall. Maxi now plays for Racing Club de Avellaneda in the Argentine Primera Division, having formerly represented New York City FC in Major League Soccer in America.
He played in Major League Soccer for more than nine years and has become a cult figure. Maxi had also played in Europe with FC Moscow, but his tenure proved to be disastrous.
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5. Lorenzo Insigne – 5 feet 3 inches (163 cm)
Lorenzo Insigne is an Italian footballer who was a world-class winger in his time. Insigne challenged preconceived notions and myths about height, and he was a fantastic footballer with incredible technical ability.
Insigne is a modern-day icon at Napoli, where he lasted over 12 years, scoring 122 goals and assisting 95 times in 434 games. Insigne, who stands 5 feet 3 inches (163 cm), now plays for Toronto FC in the MLS.
6. Marco Verratti – 5 feet 5 inches (165 cm)
Marco Verratti is considered as one of the most brilliant midfielders of his generation, and he has been playing at his peak for quite some time. Verratti, who is at 5 feet 5 inches tall, is full of heart and grit and excels on the defensive side of the game with excellent last-ditch tackles.
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7. Mathieu Valbuena – 5 feet 6 inches (168 cm)
The next player on this list is French midfielder Mathieu Valbuena, who stands 5 feet and 6 inches (168 cm) tall. Valbuena, sometimes known as ‘Little Prince’, currently plays for Olympiacos FC in Greece. Valbuena is well-known for his performances in Ligue 1 with clubs such as Marseille and Lyon. He was a dynamic player with quick feet and excellent technical abilities.
8. Joe Allen – 5 feet 6 inches (168 cm)
Joe Allen, a Welsh midfielder, stands 5 feet 6 inches (168 cm) tall. Allen presently works as a trader for Swansea City in English football’s second division, the Championship. However, he has played for top clubs such as Liverpool and Stoke City, as well as 72 caps for his country.
Allen recently helped Wales reach the FIFA World Cup 2022 finals for the first time since 1958, and he is still regarded as one of the top midfielders in England’s lower leagues.
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9. Alexis Sanchez – 5 feet 6 inches (168 cm)
Alexis Sanchez was a fantastic player during his time, and he is recognized as a modern-day Arsenal and Chile great. The 5’6″ winger, who previously played for Barcelona, Manchester United, and Inter, was one of the finest in the world during his prime.
Alexis helped Chile win two consecutive Copa America titles in 2015 and 2016, breaking the country’s 99-year drought of silverware. Alexis presently plays for Marseille in France after previously representing Inter in Italy.
10. Xherdan Shaqiri – 5 feet 6 inches (168 cm)
Xherdan Shaqiri, nicknamed ‘Alpine Messi’ due to his diminutive size, dribbling ability, and eye for goal and final pass, is also a very popular football player.
Shaqiri started his career at Bayern Munich in a big way and rapidly became a household name. However, following his move to Inter, he began to lose his way until joining Liverpool, where he played three seasons and won both the Premier League and Champions League.
Shaqiri stands 5 feet 6 inches tall and now plays for the Chicago Fire in the MLS. He is also rather stocky for a player his size, weighing 72 kg.
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Conclusion
The best short soccer players are frequently inventive, team-oriented, and technically proficient – they are not always born with these qualities. That level of hard work and attention to a craft is something that any of us small men can aspire to.