Top 10 Shortest Football Players in 2026: Skill Over Stature
Height is often seen as an advantage in football, yet many players have proven that talent and technique matter more. Names like Bernard, Lorenzo Insigne, and others show how short stature can come with unique advantages on the pitch. These players, ranging from 154 cm to 167 cm tall, have built impressive careers by using their agility, dribbling skills, and quick turns to outplay taller opponents.
Legends such as Lionel Messi, Diego Maradona, Pelé, and Roberto Carlos demonstrate that being shorter does not hinder greatness. Their low center of gravity helped them maneuver past defenders effortlessly. The following list highlights the 10 shortest footballers active in 2026 who continue to inspire fans worldwide.
Top 10 Shortest Footballers in 2026
- Rank: 10Name: BernardHeight (cm): 167Club: Atlético Mineiro
- Rank: 9Name: Marco VerrattiHeight (cm): 165Club: Al Duhail
- Rank: 8Name: Ryan FraserHeight (cm): 163Club: Western Sydney Wanderers
- Rank: 7Name: Tariq LampteyHeight (cm): 163Club: ACF Fiorentina
- Rank: 6Name: Lorenzo InsigneHeight (cm): 163Club: Pescara
- Rank: 5Name: Maximiliano MoralezHeight (cm): 160Club: New York City FC
- Rank: 4Name: Yeferson SoteldoHeight (cm): 159Club: Fluminense
- Rank: 3Name: Saliu PopoolaHeight (cm): 157Club: Amal Tiznit
- Rank: 2Name: Daniel VillalvaHeight (cm): 155Club: Boca Unidos
- Rank: 1Name: Elton José Xavier GomesHeight (cm): 154Club: Zumbi
The Shortest Footballer in Action
Bernard started his career gaining attention with three Ukrainian Super League titles at Shakhtar Donetsk. Moving to Everton, he played 84 games and scored a memorable winning goal in a thrilling 5-4 FA Cup victory over Tottenham. Standing 167 cm tall, Bernard’s skill proved height was no barrier. Now, he represents his boyhood club Atlético Mineiro.
- Height: 167 cm
- Notable Clubs: Atlético Mineiro, Shakhtar Donetsk, Everton
- Career Appearances: ~320
Despite his 165 cm stature, Verratti has been among the world’s best midfielders. After spending most of his career at Paris Saint-Germain with over 400 appearances and 30 trophies, he now plays for Al Duhail in Qatar. His success includes winning the European Championship with Italy.
- Height: 165 cm
- Notable Clubs: Paris Saint-Germain, Al Duhail, Pescara
- Career Appearances: 450+
Fraser’s low center of gravity and agility make him hard to mark. He accumulated over 365 appearances across clubs like AFC Bournemouth, Newcastle United, and Southampton. His highlight was 208 matches for Bournemouth with 24 goals and 31 assists. Currently, he plays in Australia.
- Height: 163 cm
- Notable Clubs: Bournemouth, Newcastle United, Southampton
- Career Appearances: 365+
Lamptey rose through Chelsea's youth ranks but flourished at Brighton with over 120 appearances. Known for his stamina and speed, this 163 cm defender now competes in Serie A with Fiorentina.
- Height: 163 cm
- Notable Clubs: Chelsea, Brighton & Hove Albion, Fiorentina
- Career Appearances: 200+
Insigne, one of Serie A’s top wingers, thrived at Napoli with his pace and technical ability. At 163 cm, he shone at Euro 2020, scoring a key goal in the quarter-finals and helping Italy win the tournament. Recently, he parted ways with Toronto FC after a successful MLS stint.
- Height: 163 cm
- Notable Clubs: Napoli, Toronto FC, Pescara
- Career Appearances: 600+
Moralez’s breakthrough came with Atalanta in Serie A despite coming from South American leagues. As an attacking midfielder, he impressed with 148 games and 20 goals for Atalanta. Now 39, he plays for New York City FC with 41 goals and 82 assists in 274 matches.
- Height: 160 cm
- Notable Clubs: Atalanta, New York City FC, Racing Club
- Career Appearances: 600+
At 159 cm, Soteldo stands out for his speed and creativity. Playing mainly as a winger for Fluminense, he’s known for versatility but inconsistent appearances. He’s played in Brazil, MLS, and Venezuela, winning the Venezuelan league title with Zamora FC in 2016.
- Height: 159 cm
- Notable Clubs: Santos, Toronto FC, Fluminense
- Career Appearances: 250+
Popoola, 157 cm, is a familiar name in African football. He currently plays in Morocco for Amal Tiznit. His career includes a stint at French club FC Metz and five international caps for Nigeria.
- Height: 157 cm
- Notable Clubs: Wydad Fès, Amal Tiznit, FC Metz
- Career Appearances: 120+
Villalva became River Plate’s youngest player at 16. This versatile forward has played mostly in Argentina with over 400 appearances. Despite being part of River Plate during their relegation, he remains a notable player at 155 cm tall.
- Height: 155 cm
- Notable Clubs: River Plate, Veracruz, Boca Unidos
- Career Appearances: 390+
The shortest footballer in the world at 154 cm, Elton excels as an attacking midfielder or winger. His career spans clubs like Corinthians and Al Nassr, with over 370 appearances, 82 goals, and 56 assists. Known for slipping through tight spaces, he continues to impress at Zumbi EC.
- Height: 154 cm
- Notable Clubs: Corinthians, Al Nassr, Al-Fateh, Zumbi
- Career Appearances: 370+
FAQs About Shortest Football Players
- Who is the shortest football player ever? Elton José Xavier Gomes holds the record at 154 cm.
- Is Lionel Messi among the shortest players? Messi is relatively short at 170 cm, but several players are shorter.
- Is Lorenzo Insigne one of the shortest footballers currently? Yes, he stands at 163 cm and is on the list.
- Who are the top 5 shortest football players in the world? They are Maximiliano Moralez, Yeferson Soteldo, Saliu Popoola, Daniel Villalva, and Elton José Xavier Gomes.
