Quick – think of a pro soccer player. Now tell me, who do you see?
Was it Lionel Messi (5’7″ and 159 pounds)?
Or Kylian Mbappé (5’10” and 161 pounds)?
Maybe Cristiano Ronaldo (6’1″ and 184 pounds)?
Chances are, you thought of a star player who fits into the average-sized bucket of players.
But if you’re anything like me, you’ve wondered about the players at the extreme ends of the spectrum — the shortest players of all time or the heaviest players to ever take the field.
Today, we’re talking about the latter.
Using data from Stathead on the big five European leagues (Premier League, La Liga, Serie A, Bundesliga, and Ligue 1) and Major League Soccer, we compiled a list of the heaviest professional soccer players – now and throughout history.
Heaviest Players in Pro Soccer History
Jan Koller, FW – 238 Pounds
Standing at 6’7½” and weighing in at 238 pounds, Jan Koller is the heaviest pro soccer player in the history of the Big 5 European Leagues.
After starting his career as a goalkeeper, Koller became an unconventionally large yet exceptional striker.
Known for his size and strength, the grizzled veteran is the all-time top scorer for the Czech Republic national team (55 goals in 91 appearances).
His height earned him the nickname “Dino” among teammates and the media once referred to him as a “human lighthouse”.
Peter Schmeichel, GK – 225 Pounds
Long-time Manchester United goalkeeper Peter Schmeichel ranks second all-time at 225 pounds.
Based on historical data, Schmeichel is the heaviest goalkeeper in the history of European soccer. In fact, he had to wear custom-made XXXL jerseys during his playing days.
He won 15 trophies during his time at Man U, including five Premier League titles.
Bill Hamid, GK – 225 Pounds
Hailing from Major League Soccer’s D.C. United, goalkeeper Bill Hamid weighed in at 225 pounds too.
According to the league’s data, Hamid is the heaviest player in MLS history.
In 2010, the Virginia native became the youngest goalkeeper to win a game in MLS history.
Upon his release from D.C. United in 2022, Hamid was the franchise record holder for saves (976) and shutouts (89).
Josh Wicks, GK – 225 Pounds
Born on a US Army base in Germany, goalkeeper Josh Wicks was no stranger to moving around the world.
After playing his college soccer at Cal State Bakersfield, Wicks entered the professional ranks with the USL’s Vancouver Whitecaps.
The 225-pound journeyman played for 12 pro seasons across 7 different clubs in various leagues.
José Manuel Pinto, GK – 220 Pounds
At 6’1″ and 220 pounds, Pinto played 16 seasons of professional soccer, primarily in La Liga.
The Spanish goalkeeper debuted with Celta before signing with Barcelona in 2008.
Throughout his career, Pinto was part of three national championship-winning squads.
Bright Dike, FW – 220 Pounds
Chinedu “Bright” Dike was one of the heaviest forwards in MLS history at 220 pounds.
After a successful college career at Notre Dame, Dike was chosen in the first round of the 2010 MLS SuperDraft. But he didn’t make the team and was released after the preseason.
The Portland Timbers picked him up on a one-year deal and he made his MLS debut in April of the same year. Two months later, he recorded his first hat trick, netting three goals against the Kitsap Pumas.
He went on to play 6 professional seasons and represent Nigeria on their national team. Not bad for a first-round “bust”!
More heavy players in soccer history:
- Aritz Aduriz, FW – 218 Pounds
- Marcus Hahnemann, GK – 218 Pounds
- Darren Randolph, GK – 216 Pounds
- Rob Elliot, GK – 216 Pounds
- Andoni Cedrún, GK – 214 Pounds
- Ed de Goey, GK – 214 Pounds
- Michael Esser, GK – 214 Pounds
- Claus Reitmaier, GK – 212 Pounds
Heaviest Active Pro Soccer Players
Evan Louro, GK – 225 Pounds
At 225 pounds, FC Cincinnati goalkeeper Evan Louro is the heaviest active player in professional soccer.
The South River, New Jersey native played three years at the University of Michigan before turning pro. In 2017, he signed a homegrown contract with the New York Red Bulls.
Three years later, Louro joined the Tampa Bay Rowdies where he won the USL Championship Golden Glove after posting 14 shutouts.
Ben Lundt, GK – 220 Pounds
After being chosen as the 37th overall selection in the 2019 MLS SuperDraft, Ben Lundt joined Louisville City FC on loan ahead before the season.
After a multi-year stint in the USL, the goalkeeper signed with St. Louis City SC of the MLS in 2023.
Jannik Vestergaard, DF – 216 Pounds
After a long youth career, Jannik Vestergaard left Denmark to sign with German club TSG 1899 Hoffenheim.
After starting as a substitute for superstar Ryan Babel, the 216-pound defender worked his way up to become an established starter.
Today, the Danish centre-back plays for Leicester City as well as the Denmark national team.
Jonathan Tah, DF – 216 Pounds
At 6’5″ and 216 pounds, Jonathan Tah is one of the largest defenders in Bundesliga.
The German centre-back started out with Hamburger SV before being loaned out to Fortuna Düsseldorf for a year.
Now a long-time veteran of Bundesliga, Tah also plays for the German national team.
Sean Johnson, GK – 216 Pounds
After growing up in Georgia, goalkeeper Sean Johnson played college soccer at the University of Central Florida.
With one season of USL Premier Development League experience under his belt, he was selected in the fourth round of the 2010 MLS SuperDraft.
After seven seasons with the Chicago Fire, Johnson played a long stint with New York City FC before landing in Toronto.
The veteran keeper also plays for the US National Team.
