We all know that football is a physical contact sport and it requires tall and physically fit footballers to play the game. However, there are many footballing sensations who made a name for themselves through their football skills throughout the world. Here we bring you a list of some of the shortest football players in the world of football.
Alexis Sanchez: (5.54 feet)
Alexis Sanchez is a Chilean professional footballer who has played for many big football clubs across Europe. The Chilean forward is around 1.69 m of height and is 33 years old currently. He was born in 1988, in Chile. He’s often dubbed as “El Niño Maravilla” means The Wonder Kid.
The Chilean started his footballing career for Cobreloa, and later signed with Udinese in 2006, aged 18. He was then loaned out where he won consecutive league titles with Colo-Colo and River Plate. Later in 2011, Alexis Sanchez signed for Spanish giants Barcelona and became the shortest footballer to ever play in La Liga. He also played for the premier league club Arsenal FC.
Despite his height, Sanchez became a successful footballer and had a great career. By some football geeks, he’s considered to be the greatest Chilean footballer.
Joe Allen: (5.51 Feet)
Joseph Michael Allen known as Joe Allen was born in 14 March 1990 is a Welsh professional footballer who plays as a midfielder for the Wales national team.
Allen began his professional career with Swansea City, making his first-team debut in January 2007 at age 16. He showcased his skills and earned many applauds. He was one of the shortest football players to have ever played in the Premier League, the Welsh footballer was roughly around 1.68 m of height. Despite his short height he has played for many Premier League clubs including Liverpool where he spent four seasons and made 132 appearances at Anfield. After that in 2016 he signed for Stoke City for 13 millions.
He has also performed very well for Wales. Throughout his international career he has earned 70 caps and represented Wales in the Euro 2016 and helped his team in reaching to the semi-finals of the tournament. Joe Allen also helped Wales to qualify for the FIFA World Cup in 2022, for the first time since 1958.
Madson Formagini Caridade: (5.15 Feet)
Madson Formagini Caridade, was born in May 21, 1986 in Volta Redonda, he’s a Brazilian footballer who plays as an attacking midfielder. He is known for his small body and for his set pieces.
Madson was already considered as a football prodigy even before he started his professional career while playing for local youth clubs. Despite his short height of 1.57 m, he has played for many clubs throughout his career in Brazil. He played for the prestigious Vasco da Gama club and was loved by all the fans despite his irregular performances. In 2009, he signed for Santos Fc and played for seasons only marking 56 appearances in total.
The talented Brazilian currently players for Brazilian club Fortaleza Fc in Série A.
Levi Porter: (5.24 Feet)
Levi Roger Porter was born on 6 April 1987 is an English footballer who used to play in the premier league. With a height of just 1.6 m the Englishman showed his skills on the football pitch. He came from the Leicester City youth system. In 2006, Porter made his senior debute for Leicester City at 16 years old and later signed a one year extension contract. He earned many applauses while playing for the Foxes as the shortest football player in the Premier League.
In 2010 he was released by Leicester City along with many other, on September 2011 he signed for the Conference North Side Hinckley United for a year. In December 2012, Porter signed for Conference North side Histon Fc.
In the summer of 2014, Levi finally joined the Shepshed Dynamo in the Midland Football League.
At 35 year currently, Porter has most recently signed for Melton Town in 2018.
Maximiliano Moralez: (5.24 Feet)
Maximiliano Nicolás Moralez was born in 27 February 1987. He is an Argentine professional footballer who plays as an attacking midfielder for Major League Soccer club New York City Fc.
He started his career in 2003, He started playing football professionally with Racing Club in the Argentine Primer. He’s one of the shortest players in the Primers Division with a 1.6 m roughly around 5 feet, being much shorter than . With his efficiency and skills and his dribbling skills on the ball he was one of the most promising players in the world.
The 35 year old has played of many clubs throughout his career such as Atlanta, FC Moscow and Club León. On 15 February 2017, He signed for New York City FC.
Rui Gil Soares de Barros: (5.19 Feet)
Rui Gil Soares de Barros was born on 24 November 1965 is a Portuguese former professional footballer who played as an attacking midfielder for Porto FC. He has a height around 1.6 metres.
He began his senior career with S.C Covilhà in the second division. And later moved to Varzim S.C and helped them earn a promotion to the Second division in Primiera Liga. In 1987, Barros signed for the Portuguese club, Porto FC. He had an massive impact on the club as he scored 12 goals and won the Championship. He also won the Intercontinental Cup and European Super cup with Porto. He also won the Portuguese Player of the Year award.
Barros later went to Italy and signed for Juventus and helped the club in winning Coppa Italia and a UEFA Cup double. He also played for Monaco and Marseille during his time in France.
Barros was a gifted with technical skills and was graceful on the ball. He was a dynamic attacking midfielder, his quick bursts of pace allowed him to move past opponent defence with ease.
Jafal Rashed Al-Kuwari: (5.08 Feet)
Next up on the list is, a former Qatari Midfielder Jafal Rashed Al-Kuwari who used to play soccer for Al-Saad and the Qatari National team. He was 1.55 metres and was one of the shortest football players in the world football.
In 2009, he retired from World football and a farewell match was also held in his honour against AC Milan. He continued as the captian of the Qatari National team and even played beach football after retirement.
Marcin Garuch: (5.08 Feet)
Marcin Garuch was born in 14th March 1988. He is a Polish professional footballer who plays as a midfielder for Miedź Legnica in Puchar Polski. He’s around 1.55 metres which is nearly 5 feet.
Garuch started his senior career with Miedź Legnica. Later in 2012, he was loaned to Chojniczanka Chojnice. He has played for many clubs such as OFK Grbalij and GKS Belchatów in the Polish league ii. He was well known for his excellency in dead ball situations. Despite his small body, Garuch was a great football player and had excellent dribbling skills.
He was one of the best shortest football players in the world.
Élton José Xavier Gomes: (5.04 Feet)
Elton Jose Xavier Gomes, known as Élton Arábia was born on 7th April 1986, is a Brazilian footballer who currently plays as a left midfielder or attacking midfielder for UAE-based Al-Hamriya Sports Club. He’s the shortest football player with just a height of 1.54 metres.
Élton Arábia was bought by Romanian side Bucuresti at just 21 years of age. He had a short spell with the Romanian team, although he had and immediate impact. In 2007, he moved to Saudi side Al Nassr where he scored and provided many assists. The Brazilian attacking midfielder was loved by all the Al Nasr fans who found fell in love with his dribbling and quick feet.
Later on In 2007, In 2012–2013 season he played for Al Fateh where he scored 11 goals, helping the team win the first title in the history of the club.
Daniel Alberto Villalva Barrios: Shortest football players (5 Feet)
Last on the list we have, Daniel Alberto Villalva Barrios who was born on 6 July 1992 is an Argentine professional footballer who plays as an attacking midfielder for River Plate. In 2009, Barrios became the youngest player ever to play for River Plate at just 16 years of age. He has a height of 1.54 metres around 5 feet.
He was known for his exceptional skills and his ball control. Barrios has also featured for Argentina in the U-17 World Cup, in 2009.
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