Who is the shortest football player in history?
Who is the shortest football player? In the early days of football, the players who dominated the field were usually tall and physically strong. We mentioned the latter in our previous review of the tallest players. However, in modern football, shorter players often perform better on the field because many of them are technically better than taller players. In addition, many exceptional short players have successfully used their low center of gravity and agility to get past defenders. The legendary Argentinians Lionel Messi and Diego Maradona are the best examples. In this article, Premiumsoccertips.net will provide you with a list of the 10 shortest football players in history.
How tall is the shortest football player
10. Rui Gil Soares de Barros (5’3” / 160 cm)
The tallest football player on this list is the 5′ 3” football player—Rui Gil Soares de Barros. This Portuguese player, who is now a coach, is a formidable attacking midfielder. Barros is a hard-working and technically gifted footballer, known for his quick changes of pace and great agility.
He played for legendary football clubs such as Monaco, Marseille, Juventus and Porto in the late 80s and 90s. He did not let his short stature stop him from becoming a successful football player, and the numbers speak for themselves. Statistically, his peak playing days were at Monaco, where he scored 21 goals and provided 13 assists in 3 years at the club. His greatest achievement was winning the UEFA Cup with Juventus in 1990. Barros also played for the Portugal national football team, making 36 appearances and scoring four goals on the international stage for his country.
9. Levi Porter (5′ 3” / 160 cm)
Levi Porter is a prime example of how height doesn’t have to be a factor in being a good footballer. Standing at 5′ 3”, he is one of the best young left wingers in his country. Levi represented England at U16 and U17 level in 2003 and 2004.
He is also a product of the Leicester City youth academy, and even played for the national team from 2006 to 2010, in addition to a loan spell at Mansfield Town in 2009. During his time at Leicester City, he scored 3 goals and provided 7 assists in 45 appearances for the senior English club. Later in his career, he played for lower league clubs such as Histon, Oadby Town, Shepshed Dynamo, etc. At the age of 32, Levi retired in 2019 as a Melton Town player.
8. Maximiliano Nicolas Moralez (5′ 2.5” / 159 cm)
At 5′ 2.5″ (about 159 cm), Maximiliano Nicolás Moralez, nicknamed “Frasquito” or “Little Flask,” is the 8th shortest soccer player in history. Despite his diminutive stature, Moralez was an excellent attacking midfielder and was considered one of the top talents early in his career. He made his mark for the Argentina U-20 national team when they won the 2007 FIFA U-20 World Cup. In that tournament, Moralez scored 4 goals, the team’s second-highest scorer behind Sergio Agüero with 6 goals, and played a key role in Argentina’s success.
In terms of his club career, Moralez has played for many famous teams such as FC Moscow, Vélez Sarsfield, Atalanta and New York City FC. He achieved significant success at each stop thanks to his creativity, tactical vision and ability to lead the play. In particular, when joining New York City FC in 2017, Moralez quickly became a star not only for the team but also for the MLS, helping to raise the team’s level in the domestic arena.
7. Madson Formagini Caridade (5′ 2” / 157cm)
Madson, a Brazilian player with a modest height of 5′ 2″ (about 157 cm), has overcome all barriers to build an impressive football career. Despite his small stature, he is known for his skillful ball-playing skills, especially in set-piece situations, and his ability to pass the ball accurately. Possessing an intelligent and creative playing style, Madson was once considered one of the most promising young talents in Brazilian football.
Madson had the opportunity to play for big clubs in Brazil such as Vasco da Gama and Santos, where he clearly showed his talent. However, the most memorable period of his career came during his time playing for Al-Khor, a club in Qatar. Here, Madson became one of the brightest stars of the team, scoring 40 goals in 129 matches during his 6 years with the club. After leaving Al-Khor, he returned to Brazil and played for Sao Caetano, a smaller club, before retiring in 2020. Madson is a living testament to how talent can overcome any physical limitations.
6. Benedict Vilakazi (5′ 2” / 157 cm)
Benedict Vilakazi, a South African footballer nicknamed “Little Napoleon,” stands out as one of the shortest players in football history due to his 5′ 2″ (about 157 cm) height. Despite his small stature, he was not afraid to take on taller opponents, always showing a fierce fighting spirit and excellent leadership on the field. As a central midfielder, Benedict was known for his tough playing style, stamina and ability to control the game.
He played mainly for famous South African clubs such as Orlando Pirates, Mamelodi Sundowns, Black Leopards and Malanti Chiefs. He also spent a season with Aab Aalborg in Denmark, where he continued to prove his talent. Notably, despite playing as a midfielder, Benedict still became Orlando Pirates’ all-time leading scorer with 52 goals. At international level, he won 32 caps for South Africa, scoring two goals. Benedict retired in 2014, ending his career at Botswana Meat Commission, leaving a proud legacy in African football.
5. Samuel Peter Lee (5′ 2” / 157 cm)
Football fans like you will have probably heard of Samuel “Sammy” Lee, who had an illustrious career as a player and assistant manager for the giants Liverpool FC. The legendary 5′ 2” midfielder was an astute passer of the ball and an excellent marker. Lee’s time at Liverpool was filled with achievements as he won two European Cups and three league titles with the club. During his 10 years with the Reds (1976-1986), Lee made 287 appearances, scoring 19 goals and providing 45 assists.
After Liverpool, Lee played for clubs such as Queens Park Rangers, Osasuna and Southampton. He ended his football career as a player for Bolton Wanderers in 1991. Lee was also a member of the England national team and made three appearances. In terms of his coaching career, he was an assistant coach to famous Liverpool managers such as Rafael Benitez, Gerard Houllier and Graeme Souness.
4. Jafal Rashed Al-Kuwari (5′ 1” / 155cm)
Jafal Rashed Al-Kuwari, a Qatari footballer, is ranked fourth on the list of shortest footballers in history at 5′ 1″ (about 155 cm). Despite his small stature, Jafal had an impressive career, especially as captain of the Qatar national team from 1992 to 2002. During his international career, he made 51 appearances and scored two goals, leaving a deep impression on his home fans.
Jafal stood out for his powerful and fast playing style, playing as a central midfielder. He spent his entire club career with Al Sadd, one of the top teams in Qatar, where he became an irreplaceable icon. In 2009, Jafal officially retired after an emotional farewell match against AC Milan, a team rich in Italian tradition. After hanging up his boots, Jafal continued to contribute to football as the manager and spokesman of Al Sadd. Off the pitch, he also tried his hand at beach soccer, representing the Qatar national team, demonstrating his versatility and endless passion for the sport.
3. Marcin Garuch (5′ 1” / 155 cm)
Marcin Garuch, a Polish footballer, is known as the shortest player in Europe at just 5′ 1″ (about 155 cm). Despite his small stature, Garuch has built a solid career as a midfielder, distinguished by his accurate passing and exquisite distribution. He often makes sharp passes, setting up goals for his wingers and forwards. Not only is he an excellent “conductor” on the pitch, Garuch also scores goals himself when given the chance, scoring 33 goals in nearly 300 professional matches.
Garuch spent the majority of his playing career with Miedź Legnica and the Miedź Legnica II reserve team, but he also had short spells with Chojniczanka, OFK Grbalj, and GKS Bełchatów. A seasoned player With his experience, Garuch is living proof that small stature is no barrier to becoming a great footballer. His talent and dedication have inspired many football fans across Europe.
2. Daniel Alberto Villalva Barrios (5′ 1” / 155 cm)
The second shortest footballer in the world is Argentine footballer Daniel Alberto Villalva Barrios. He is mainly known for being an accurate passer and an excellent dribbler. Despite being just over 5 feet tall, the striker showed potential while playing for the youth club River Plate. At the age of 16, he made his debut for River Plate’s first team and became the youngest player in the history of the elite Argentine club.
After leaving River Plate, Barrios played for clubs such as Argentinos Juniors, Veracruz, Goias, etc. While playing for Veracruz, he was an essential part of the team, scoring 19 goals and assisting 12 times in his 5 years with the club. He represented the Argentina U17 team at the 2009 World Cup. In 2024, he moved to a Mexican football club called Atletico La Paz.
1. Elton Jose Xavier Gomes (5′ 0.63” / 154 cm)
Who is the shortest football player? Elton José Xavier Gomes, a Brazilian footballer, is considered one of the shortest players to ever play professionally, standing at just 5′ 0.63″ (154 cm). Despite his diminutive stature, Elton has proven that talent can transcend all limits. He is an excellent attacking midfielder, known for his impressive dribbling skills, easily overcoming taller defenders. Elton’s ball control and tactical vision make him a key player on the pitch, bringing creativity to his team’s play.
In addition to his dribbling skills, Elton is also an effective striker. During his professional career, he scored 71 goals in 331 matches, an impressive record. Elton has played for 15 different clubs, including Corinthians, Al-Nassr, Fortaleza, Al-Fateh and Al-Qadisiyah, experiencing many different playing environments. After more than a decade of fighting, he officially retired in 2021 at the age of 35, closing a unique and inspiring career journey.
Conclusion
Who is the shortest football player? Elton José Xavier Gomes, standing at 5′ 0.63″ (154 cm), holds the title of the shortest player in the history of professional football. Despite his modest height, he established himself as a talented attacking midfielder with impressive dribbling, ball control, and tactical vision. Elton played for 15 different clubs, scoring 71 goals in 331 matches before retiring in 2021. This list proves that short players, like Elton or Maximiliano Moralez, not only overcame all stereotypes about their size but also achieved success thanks to their agility, technique, and strong will, becoming a great inspiration for football fans around the world.
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