“We’re not going to compete in the 5,000 meters at the Olympics, we have to play with our feet.” – Giovanni Trapattoni
Soccer is a rare sport where skill and talent can overcome physical size and height. Fans have witnessed players of every height dominate the league.
The sport does not discriminate.
However, the average height of an English Premier League player is 5 feet 11.9 inches. That’s about 2.85 inches taller than the average American male!
Roughly 75% of professional soccer players are 5’10” or taller. However, some outliers are far off that mark.
Here is our breakdown of the shortest soccer players – now and throughout history.
- Who is the Shortest Active Soccer Player?
- Who is the Shortest Soccer Player in History?
- Shortest Active Soccer Players
- FAQs
Who is the Shortest Active Soccer Player?
Standing at just 5 feet 1 inch (154 cm) Polish midfielder Marcin Garuch is the shortest active soccer player in the world.
Garuch plays for Miedź Legnica where he uses his low center of gravity to gain an advantage against taller players.
He is also known for his strong technical skills and ability to dribble the ball forward even when pressed. Garuch is currently the shortest soccer player in Europe and the shortest player to ever feature in the top division of Polish soccer.
Garuch is frequently listed as being just 5’ or 153 cm but he’s almost a centimeter taller at his official height of 5’ 0.6”.
Who is the Shortest Soccer Player in History?
Marcin Garuch is tied for the title of the shortest soccer player in history with both Jafal Rashed Al-Kuwari and Élton José Xavier Gomes (known as Élton Arábia among fans).
Al-Kuwari was a mere 5’1″ (154 cm) and weighed just 106 pounds. Meanwhile, Gomes weighed 130 pounds at the same height.
Like Garuch, Gomes played as an attacking midfielder, using his short stature to score a total of 81 goals across his career.
He was also famous for his combination of technique and style. He became a fan favorite thanks to his quick pace, precise dribbling, and long hair.
Shortest Active Soccer Players
In addition to Marcin Garuch, there are dozens of other pro soccer players well under the average 5’11”.
In fact, even Lionel Messi – widely regarded as the world’s best soccer player – is just 5’7” (170 cm).
The shortest women’s professional soccer player is Avell Chitundu of Zambia, who stands at 4’7” or just 140 cm. That’s almost 4 inches shorter than the shortest male player.
Here are the shortest active professional soccer players – sorted in descending order.
Joe Allen (5’7”)
This Welsh midfielder has spent most of his career with Swansea City, making a name for himself as a topflight player. The 5’7” midfielder also hasn’t let his height stop him from career achievements.
Allen represented Wales in the UEFA European Championship in 2016 and 2020, helped Wales qualify for the FIFA World Cup in 2022, and represented Great Britain at the 2012 Olympics.
Per reports, he came out of retirement in October 2024 to return to Wales.
Alexis Sanchez (5’7”)
This Chilean forwarder plays for the Chilean national team, Cobreloa, and Udinese.
At just 5’7” or 169 cm, he’s a full centimeter shorter than Lionel Messi. Despite being one of the shortest active soccer players in the world, he’s also regarded as one of the best players to ever come out of Chile.
Sanchez made a name for himself as a highly skilled soccer player, eventually becoming one of the highest-paid soccer players in the world.
Mathieu Valbuena (5’6”)
Mathieu Valbuena stands at just 5’6” or 167 cm. His short stature has earned him the nickname of “the little bike” in French (le petit vélo) – but he is famous for being an explosive player capable of taking on multiple opponents at once.
That comes down to his technique and dribbling skills. Despite his height, Valbuena is a highly sought-after player and has played on 9 teams, including the national French league and in the Olympics.
Marco Verratti (5’5”)
Verratti is just 5’5” but he’s widely regarded as one of the best midfielders in Europe.
He has been playing professional soccer since the age of 15 and has gone on to represent his country in international leagues four times.
The Italian midfielder is known for his agility, which, combined with a low center of gravity, makes him the ideal man to take the ball and set up scoring opportunities for his teammates.
Billy Gilmour (5’5″)
Billy Gilmour stands 5 feet 5 inches tall and weighs 130 pounds.
The Scottish midfielder represented his native country at every youth level – from under-15 through under-21 – before making his senior debut in 2021.
Now in the top flight of Italian soccer, the youngster is poised for a long and productive career.
“I just need to keep working hard and see what it takes,” Gilmour told Sky Sports.
Ryan Fraser (5’4”)
Fraser is a 5’4” left winger who plays for Southampton and the Scotland national team. He returned to Southampton F.C. on a permanent basis in August 2024, when the team announced his two-year extension.
Fraser has been playing professionally since the age of 16. Today, he’s known for his old-fashioned play style, using strength to power his way through larger-bodied players – making him an ideal winger with over 40 goals scored over his career.
Tariq Lamptey (5’4”)
At 5’4” or 163 cm, this up-and-coming right-back is making a splash.
Lamptey was born in 2000 and is now a player for the Ghana national team as well as the Premier League’s Brighton & Hove Albion.
He’s also represented the England national team four times and has been playing for the Ghana national team since 2022.
Lorenzo Insigne (5’4”)
At 5’4”, Lorenzo Insigne is a full inch shorter than his Italian national teammate Verratti.
But, this winger is well known for being hard-working, technically skilled, and tactical, leading to his selection for the national Italian team three times, where he scored a total of 18 goals.
Maximiliano “Maxi” Moralez (5’3”)
This attacking midfielder currently plays for New York City FC.
Maxi is just 5’3” or 160 cm tall, making him one of the shortest active soccer players out there.
Despite his height, he’s had a bright career across the Argentina national team, FC Moscow, New York City FC, and Racing and has taken multiple honors including the FIFA World Cup Silver Ball and Bronze Shoe in 2007.
Daniel Villalva (5’3”)
Daniel Villalva is a 5’3” attacking midfielder for Atlético La Paz.
The 159 cm player was also the youngest-ever player for River Plate but has since made a career across Argentinian soccer teams as well as the Argentinian national team.
Marcin Garuch (5’1”)
And back to Garuch.
At 5 feet and 1 inch, he’s the shortest active player in the world right now. And, another midfielder!
FAQs
There is an astonishing 20-inch (51 cm) height difference between Souleymane Touré (6’9”) – the sport’s tallest active player – and Marcin Garuch (5’1”).
Some of the best soccer players in the world are considered short by most people’s standards – Lionel Messi (5’7”), Andrés Iniesta (5’7”), Xavi Hernández (5’7”). Plus, with dozens of historical players under 5’6”, soccer is truly open to anyone.
If you look at our top ten list of the shortest soccer players right now, six are midfielders and three are wingers. Does that give a definitive answer? It certainly means shorter players are more likely to be placed in roles where dribbling and technical talent are key rather than height and power.
Editor’s Note: Is there a current or past player we missed? Let me know in the comments below and I’ll get them added.
