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The Top 10 Shortest Footballers in the World: From Lionel Messi to Elton Jose Xavier Gomes

Football no longer favors just height and strength. Technical skill now steals the spotlight, as shown by many great players of smaller size. Here’s a rundown of the world’s 10 shortest footballers, including their heights and remarkable achievements.

  • 10. Xherdan Shaqiri (5 ft 7): Born in 1991, this Swiss player of Yugoslavian-Albanian roots is known for his quick pace and sharp skills. Shaqiri has played for Liverpool, Bayern Munich, Inter Milan, and the Swiss national team. FIFA praises him as "unpredictable," "ambidextrous," and "clinical," earning nicknames like "Alpine Messi." His 2014 World Cup hat-trick against Honduras highlighted his scoring ability.
  • 9. Lionel Messi (5 ft 7): Widely seen as one of football’s all-time greats, Messi captains Inter Miami and Argentina. His trophy shelf includes eight Ballon d’Ors, six European Golden Shoes, and eight FIFA Best Player awards. He led Argentina to Copa América victory in 2021 and the 2022 World Cup win. Most of his club success came at Barcelona, with 34 trophies including ten La Liga titles and four Champions League wins.
  • 8. Alexis Sanchez (5 ft 6.5): At 35, Chilean Alexis Sanchez continues to impress after spells across Europe, including Manchester United and Barcelona, where he was once La Liga's shortest player.
  • 7. Joe Allen (5 ft 6): This Welsh midfielder started at Swansea City, making his debut at 16. He experienced promotions from League One to the Premier League and represented Great Britain at the 2012 Olympics. Allen moved to Liverpool for £15 million in 2012, later joining Stoke City before returning to Swansea.
  • 6. N'Golo Kanté (5 ft 6): Known for relentless midfield work, Kanté rose from French lower leagues to win the 2018 World Cup with France. He helped Leicester City claim the 2016 Premier League and repeated the feat with Chelsea, collecting numerous individual honors along the way.
  • 5. Yuya Osako (5 ft 5): The Japanese forward scored a historic goal in the 2018 World Cup, helping Japan defeat Colombia—the first Asian team to beat a South American side in the tournament. Osako also shone in the 2019 AFC Asian Cup, leading Japan to the final.
  • 4. Marco Verratti (5 ft 4): The Italian midfielder began at Pescara before moving to Paris Saint-Germain, where he became a key player and amassed nine Ligue 1 titles. Internationally, he played in the 2014 World Cup and helped Italy win Euro 2020.
  • 3. Lorenzo Insigne (5 ft 3): Insigne’s creativity and speed made him a standout winger at Napoli and a vital figure for Italy, contributing to their Euro 2016 and 2020 campaigns. He's known for precise free kicks despite his small frame.
  • 2. Daniel Villalva (5 ft 0): Nicknamed "Keko," this Argentine attacking midfielder debuted for River Plate at just 16. Despite a serious back injury early on, he showed resilience and returned to compete, representing Argentina’s youth teams at major tournaments.
  • 1. Elton Jose Xavier Gomes (5 ft 0): The Brazilian, often called Élton Arábia due to his successful period in Saudi Arabia, stands as the shortest footballer on this list. He plays as an attacking midfielder and has made his mark with skill and agility on the field.

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