30+ shortest soccer player: who is the shortest soccer player 2024
Soccer is a physical game, therefore, features like weight, height and such play a significant role in the game as much as skill and intelligence. In the defense line, taller and stronger players are preferred, just as average-sized and creative players in the middle of the park. However, at the wings and the forward line, faster, witty and more precisely featured players are appealing, and in some of these cases, they are the shortest soccer players. So, we’re taking a quick peek and pondering questions such as: Are soccer players short? Who is the shortest soccer player in the world today? Who is the shortest soccer player in history? How tall is the shortest soccer player? Let’s find out about the 30 shortest footballers in 2024.
TOP 30 Shortest Soccer Players
Combined, there are tens of thousands of soccer players playing non-league football and in professional capacity today. Because of this, the scope of this article is the top thirty short soccer players found in recognized leagues and competitions around the world. One after the other, the 30 small soccer players list goes thus:
30. Morgan Gibbs-White (5 ft 7 in)
Name: Morgan Gibbs-White
Date of Birth: 27 January, 2000
Height: 5 ft 7 in
Nationality: England
About: The Englishman started his career in 2017 with Wolverhampton Wanderers football club, making up to 100 appearances for the outfit and winning the EFL Championship in the 2017/2018 as well as the FIFA U-17 World Cup. In 2022, he joined Nottingham Forest who were then newly promoted for a club record fee. He is among the 5’7 soccer players and the shortest pro soccer player number 30 on our list.
29. Lionel Messi (5 ft 7 in)
Name: Lionel Andres Messi
Date of Birth: 24 June, 1987
Height: 5 ft 7 in
Nationality: Argentina
About: The eight-time FIFA Best Player of the year among the 5’7 soccer players on our list and the shortest soccer player number 29. Messi has an array of personal and team achievements, which include winning the FIFA World Cup 2022 with Argentina, four Champions League titles with Barcelona, six European Golden Shoe awards and a host of others.
28. Xherdan Shaqiri (5 ft 7 in)
Name: Xherdan Shaqiri
Date of Birth: 10 October, 1991
Height: 5 ft 7 in
Nationality: Switzerland
About: Another among the 5’7 soccer players category is three-time Bundesliga winner, two-time UEFA Champions League winner, two-time Swiss Footballer of the year, Xherdan Shaqiri. He might be listed as one of the short footballers, but his CV is of a tall order.
27. Alexis Sanchez (5 ft 6 in)
Name: Alexis Alejandro Sanchez
Date of Birth: 19 December, 1988
Height: 5 ft 6 in
Nationality: Chile
Achievements: Our 27th smallest soccer player is in the category of 5’6 soccer players. The forward is known for skill and busting playing style, which he contributed to the success of his national team in 2015 and 2016 as they won the Copa America. He also won the Serie A twice with Inter Milan, the La Liga with Barcelona and even the FA Cup twice with Arsenal FC.
26. Joe Allen (5 ft 6 in)
Name: Joseph Micheal Allen
Date of Birth: 14 March, 1990
Height: 5 ft 6 in
Nationality: Wales
About: Allen shot to the limelight while playing for Swansea where he made his debut. The smooth passing style incorporated by his then manager Brendan Rodgers, placed him as the centre-man of the team. He was the Welsh Footballer of the year in 2012 and was among the Liverpool team that were runners up in the Europa League 2015/2016. Allen is in the category of 5’6 soccer players and our 26th smallest professional soccer player.
25. Mathieu Valbuena (5 ft 6 in)
Name: Mathieu Valbuena
Date of Birth: 28 September, 1984
Height: 5 ft 6 in
Nationality: France
About: The attacking midfielder is the smallest soccer player in his national team. However, his diminutive stature, just as some other 5’6 soccer players, is no hindrance as he has excelled by winning the Ligue 1 with Marseille, the Greek Cup with Olympiacos, providing the top assist in the Russian Premier League amongst other achievements.
24. Marco Verratti (5 ft 5 in)
Name: Marco Verratti
Date of Birth: 5 November, 1992
Height: 5 ft 5 in
Nationality: Italy
About: Going into the 5’5 soccer players group, Marco Verratti is the shortest player in soccer No. 24 on our list. This short soccer player has won the Ligue 1 title a massive nine times in a row with PSG and the UEFA European Championship in 2020 with his home country Italy.
23. Manor Solomon (5 ft 5 in)
Name: Manor Solomon
Date of Birth: 24 July, 1999
Height: 5 ft 5 in
Nationality: Israel
About: Manor Solomon has won the Ukrainian Premier League with Shakhtar Donetsk three times in a row alongside the Ukrainian Cup and the Ukrainian Super Cup.
22. Bobby Decordova-Reid (5 ft 5 in)
Name: Bobby De Cordova-Reid
Date of Birth: 2 February, 1993
Height: 5 ft 5 in
Nationality: Jamaica
About: Bobby De Cordova-Reid is in the 5’5 soccer players category. The Jamaican international won the EFL Championship with Fulham in the 2021/2022 season, and three years before that, he was named the Bristol City Player of the Year 2017/2018. Bobby is our shortest footballer No. 22.
21. Michael Obafemi (5 ft 5 in)
Name: Micheal Obafemi
Date of Birth: 6 July, 2000
Height: 5 ft 5 in
Nationality: Republic of Ireland
About: He was an integral figure in the Burnley team that won the EFL Championship in 2022/2023 season, and made his first start for Ireland’s senior national team in June 2022 versus Scotland at a Nations League match.
20. Rico Lewis (5 ft 5 in)
Name: Rico Lewis
Date of Birth: 21 November, 2004
Height: 5 ft 5 in
Nationality: England
About: With Manchester City, our 20th smallest pro soccer player, Rico Lewis, has won the English Premier League twice, FA Cup, FA Community Shield, UEFA Champions League, UEFA Super Cup and FIFA Club World Cup.
19. Tyrell Malacia (5 ft 5 in)
Name: Tyrell Malacia
Date of Birth: 17 August, 1999
Height: 5 ft 5 in
Nationality: Netherlands
About: In the 5’5 soccer players category, Tyrell Malacia is among the shortest footballers. Playing for Feyenoord, Tyrell won the KNVB Cup and the Johan Cryuff Shield in the 2017/2018 season. The left-back also lifted the EFL Cup in 2022/2023 with Manchester United.
18. Fred (5 ft 5 in)
Name: Frederico Rodrigues de Paula Santos
Date of Birth: 5 March, 1993
Height: 5 ft 5 in
Nationality: Brazil
About: Who’s the shortest soccer player? Well, it’s not Fred. While in Shakhtar Donetsk, the midfielder won the major titles multiple times, which got him a deal with Manchester United, where he won the EFL Cup 2022/2023.
17. Shoya Nakajima (5 ft 5 in)
Name: Shoya Nakajima
Date of Birth: 23 August, 1994
Height: 5 ft 5 in
Nationality: Japan
About: Shoya Nakajima is among the smallest soccer players in Japan and the world. Having had spells at Qatar, Portugal and recently Japan, the short soccer player has won the Emir Cup in Qatar, the Primeria Liga in Portugal and the AFC U23 Championship with his national side.
16. Lorenzo Insigne (5 ft 4 in)
Name: Lorenzo Insigne
Date of Birth: 4 June, 1991
Height: 5 ft 4 in
Nationality: Italy
About: On the list of 5’4 soccer players, Insigne is a top level footballer. The winger won the Coppa Italia with Napoli two times and the UEFA European Championship with his national team in 2020. So, who is the smallest soccer player? Further on, we’ll find out.
15. Ian Maatsen (5 ft 4 in)
Name: Ian Maatsen
Date of Birth: 10 March, 2022
Height: 5 ft 4 in
Nationality: Netherlands
About: The UEFA European U-17 Championship 2019 and EFL Championship 2022/2023 winner, is another in the 5’4 soccer players category.
14. Daniel Podence (5 ft 4 in)
Name: Daniel Pondence
Date of Birth: 21 October, 1995
Height: 5 ft 4 in
Nationality: Portugal
About: Daniel Pondence is one of the short soccer players who has played and won accolades at Sporting CP, Moreirense, and Olympiacos.
13. Diego Maradona (5 ft 4 in)
Name: Diego Armando Maradona Franco
Date of Birth: 30 Oct, 1960 – 25 Nov, 2020
Height: 5 ft 4 in
Nationality: Argentina
About: Maybe the greatest among the 5’4 soccer players, and even in the the footballing sphere. The iconic hand of God in the World Cup win over England in 1986, successful spells at Boca Juniors, Napoli and Barcelona makes the late arguably the best short soccer players ever to grace the game.
12. Maximiliano Moralez (5 ft 3 in)
Name: Maximilliano Moralez
Date of Birth: 27 February, 1987
Height: 5 ft 3 in
Nationality: Argentina
About: At Vélez Sársfield, Maximilliano Moralez won the Argentine Primera División Clausura in 2009 and 2011. As one of the 5’3 soccer players, he won the MLS Cup in 2021 and the Campeones Cup in 2022 with New York City FC. Moralez, who is the shortest professional soccer player No. 12 in this article, also won the FIFA U-20 World Cup in 2007 with his home country.
11. Tariq Lamptey (5 ft 3 in)
Name: Tariq Kwame Nii-Lante Lamptey
Date of Birth: 30 September, 2000
Height: 5 ft 3 in
Nationality: Ghana
About: Tariq Kwame Nii-Lante Lamptey switched his allegiance from England to Ghana, and debuted in 2022. He is one of the 5’3 soccer players making him one of the small soccer players in 2024.
10. Ryan Fraser (5 ft 3 in)
Name: Ryan Fraser
Date of Birth: 24 February, 1994
Height: 5 ft 3 in
Nationality: Scotland
About: Fraser won the Football League Championship in the 2014/2015 season with Bournemouth FC and was named the clubs Supporters’ Player of the Year 2018/2019.
9. Madson Caridade (5 ft 3 in)
Name: Madison Formagini Caridade
Date of Birth: 21 May, 1986
Height: 5 ft 3 in
Nationality: Brazil
About: The attacking midfielder has played for multiple clubs in South America. He is known, not only for being one of the 5’3 soccer players, but also for his free kicks.
8. Levi Porter (5 ft 3 in)
Name: Levi Porter
Date of Birth: 6 April, 1987
Height: 5 ft 3 in
Nationality: England
About: Levi spent most of his playing days in the lower leagues of English football. Even though he had been called up and played for the U-16 and U-17 sides. In this list, he is the shortest soccer player in the world No. 8.
7. Benedict Vilakazi (5 ft 2 in)
Name: Benedict Vilakazi
Date of Birth: 9 August, 1982
Height: 5 ft 2 in
Nationality: South Africa
About: Benedict had played for several clubs in his native land making some outstanding number of appearances. This short soccer player made 170 appearances for Orlando Pirates, 37 for Memelodi Sundowns and a few more at different local clubs. Who is the shortest soccer player in the world? Benedict Vilakazi comes real close at 5’2 soccer player.
6. Rui Gil Soares de Barros (5 ft 2 in)
Name: Rui Gil Soares de Barros
Date of Birth: 24 November, 1965
Height: 5 ft 2 in
Nationality: Portugal
About: When he was actively playing, Barros won the Primeira Divisão, Super Cup and Intercontinental Cup with Porto, the Coppa Italia and UEFA Cup with Juventus, the Coupe de France with Monaco and was also named the Portuguese Player of the Year. Even though he is one of the short footballers, he was a stand-out player.
5. Joao Plata (5 ft 2in)
Name: Joao Plata
Date of Birth: 1 March, 1992
Height: 5 ft 2 in
Nationality: Ecuador
About: Joao Plata is currently the shortest MLS player standing at just 5 foot 2 inches. The forward however is a dread to other players due to his low gravity and deceptive runs. He won the Canadian Championship with Toronto FC and the MLS Western Conference Championship twice with Real Salt Lake. The shortest MLS player makes it more intriguing to find out who is the shortest soccer player in history.
4. Jafal Rashed Al-Kuwari (5 ft 1 in)
Name: Jafal Rashed Al-Kuwari
Date of Birth: 27 September, 1972
Height: 5 ft 1 in
Nationality: Qatar
About: Having the one-club man at number 4 makes us really wonder who is the shortest soccer player ever. Jafal played all his club career at Al Saad and is currently the team manager and spokesman.
3. Daniel Villalva (5 ft 1 in)
Name: Daniel Villalva
Date of Birth: 6 July, 1992
Height: 5 ft 1 in
Nationality: Argentina
About: With River Plate, Villalva in 2014 won the Torneo Final of the Argentine Primera Division and Copa Campeonato in the same year also. Daniel Villalva is the third shortest professional soccer player on our list.
2. Elton Jose Xavier Gomes (5 ft 1 in)
Name: Elton Joseph Xavier Gomes
Date of Birth: 7 April, 1986
Height: 5 ft 1 in
Nationality: Brazil
About: Elton Joseph Xavier Gomes is also known as the pocket man. Obviously, it’s not hard to see why some name him as the smallest professional soccer player. But now, it is but a matter of inches in concluding who is the shortest soccer player of all time.
1. Marcin Garuch (5 feet 0 in)
Name: Marcin Garuch
Date of Birth: 14 September, 1988
Height: 5 ft 0 in
Nationality: Poland
About: So,who is the shortest person in soccer? What is the shortest soccer player called? He is Polish midfielder, Marcin Garuch. He made 226 appearances for Miedz Legnica from 2007 to 2016 and 106 for Miedz Legnica II.
Who is the Shortest Soccer Player
Now, you want to know who is the shortest soccer player ever? Knowing who is the shortest professional soccer player or who is the shortest soccer player of all time will be based on historic records. If we are to scan through the nooks and crannies of the earth, we will likely realise that the smallest soccer players or even the best short soccer players might be completely unknown. Hence, this article gathers publicly documented information to arrive at the answer of either who is the shortest player in soccer or who was the shortest soccer player.
Marcin Garuch is the smallest soccer player presently, according to our findings. Elton Gomes is quite close as he is the shortest footballer in South America, but minimal inches above the world’s shortest soccer player.
Author’s Conclusion
Height and size plays a significant role in soccer, however it has not limited the smallest pro soccer player on this list. Most of them are largely successful players despite being diminutive. The shortest pro soccer player still in active football and the shortest soccer player who may have retired or passed on have been put together to give a good mix. So, questions such as: How tall is the shortest soccer player, who is the shortest player in soccer, who is the smallest soccer player ever, has been answered.
FAQ
Who is the shortest man in soccer?
The world’s shortest soccer player is Marcin Garuch.
Who is the 5 1 football player?
Elton Gomes, Daniel Villalva and Jafal Rashed Al-Kuwari are all 5 1 football players.
Who is the shortest active football player?
Interestingly, Marcin Garuch, who is the shortest person in soccer, is still in active football today in Poland.
What football players are 5-6?
Mathieu Valbuena, Joe Allen, and Alexis Sanchez are all 5-6 football players.