A low center of gravity gives the world’s shortest soccer players an advantage which can often outweigh their diminutive statures. Here are the shortest soccer players playing top-flight soccer today. Comparisons are included, such as a Lionel Messi height profile, Maradona height info and more.
List of Shortest Soccer Players Currently on the World Soccer Stage
Here are the shortest soccer players currently playing top-flight professional football:
- Élton Jose Xavier Gomes – Height 1.58m (5ft2in). Elton is a miniscule Brazilian attacking midfielder formerly of Corinthians, Steaua Bucharest and later Al Nasr. Quite possibly the shortest soccer player in world football.
- Madson – Height 1.60m (5ft3in). Madson Formagini Caridade, thankfully known as Madson, is a Brazilian attacking midfielder currently playing for Santos FC in Brazil.
- Maximiliano Moralez – Height 1.60m (5ft3in). Argentine attacking midfielder playing for Club Atlético Vélez Sársfield in Argentina.
- Diego Buonanotte – Height 1.60m (5ft3in). Young Argentine midfield playmaker currently playing for River Plate.
- Levi Porter – Height 1.60m (5ft3in). English midfielder contracted to Leicester City (on loan to Mansfield Town as of 11 September 2009).
- Elgabry Rangel – Height 1.61m (5ft3in). Mexican midfielder currently playing in Mexico with Tecos UAG.
- Christian Lara – Height 1.62m (5ft3in). An Ecuadorian midfielder who has played in South America and the Middle East. Currently playing for LDU Quito in Ecuador.
- Carlinhos Bala – Height 1.62m. Brazilian forward who plays for Clube Náutico Capibaribe in Brazil.
- Joãozinho – Height 1.62m. Joãozinho (“Little João”) is a versatile, quick and technically gifted Brazilian left back/left winger. He has enjoyed some success with Levski Sofia since signing for the Bulgarians in 2007.
- Franco Niell – Height 1.62m. Another Argentine striker, Niell currently plays for Deportivo Quito in Ecuador following an unsuccessful loan spell with DC United in the MLS.
- Juan Cuevas – Height 1.62m. A quick little Argentine forward who currently plays for Gimnasia y Esgrima de La Plata in Argentina.
Had he not retired in 2009, former Al Sadd (Qatar) club captain Jafal Rashed would have been the shortest soccer player on the list at just 1.55m (5ft1in).
World Cup Shortest Players South Africa 2010
England's Aaron Lennon is the World Cup's shortest player in South Africa 2010 – at 1.65m, he fails to make the list above. He is followed by four players, all of whom measure 1.66m. They are Clemente Rodriguez (Argentina), Arthur Boka (Ivory Coast), Walter Martinez (Honduras) and Danilo Turcios (also Honduras).
Shortest Soccer Players – Diego Maradona & Lionel Messi Height Comparison
To put these shortest soccer players into perspective they can be compared with two of the great players of the modern era. Argentina soccer star Lionel Messi measures just 1.69m (5ft5in), but is still some way off making the list of shortest soccer players.
Diego Maradona’s unstable body mass may account for his height being recorded differently depending on the source. He is generally put within the 1.65m range, give or take a centimetre or two. Both Messi and Maradona are definitely on the shorter end of the footballing scale – the tallest outfield soccer players in world football today measure in excess of 2.03m (6ft8in).
Shortest Soccer Players and Technical Ability
Like Messi and Maradona, many of the shortest soccer players have similar styles of play. A low center of gravity often makes these players quick on the turn and quick to accelerate. Control and technical ability often seem to go hand in hand with diminutive footballers. A reliance on ability rather than physical presence makes some of the world’s shortest soccer players also some of the most gifted.
For some more naturally gifted and highly technical soccer players, take a look at another South American legend: Carlos Valderrama.
Or check out these incredible goal scoring goalkeepers – true technical ability between the posts!
Tony Dunnell - Tony Dunnell is a freelance writer and a specialist in South American travel. He has two Peru blogs, howtoperu.com and tarapotolife.com
