The shortest football players of all time prove that height is not a requirement for a successful professional career. Marcin Garuch and Élton José Xavier Gomes are both listed at only 154 cm, while Jafal Rashed Al-Kuwari played for Qatar at 155 cm. Other small players built careers in Serie A, Juventus, Porto, Major League Soccer, River Plate, and international football despite being much shorter than the average professional player.
For this FootballerRank ranking, we checked documented professional careers and compared listed heights from clubs, federations, competition records, and established football databases. Height data can vary by one or two centimetres between sources, especially for older players, so we give priority to stronger first-party records and flag disputed measurements. This makes the ranking more reliable than lists that simply repeat an unsourced height from another website.
Quick Answer: Who Is the Shortest Football Player of All Time?
Among the well-documented professional players we could verify, Marcin Garuch and Élton José Xavier Gomes share the lowest listed height at 154 cm, or about 5 feet 0.6 inches.
Jafal Rashed Al-Kuwari follows at 155 cm.
There may have been shorter semi-professional or poorly documented players in football history. However, FootballerRank does not place someone at No. 1 without enough evidence of both the player’s professional career and listed height.
Key Takeaways
- Marcin Garuch and Élton share first place at 154 cm.
- Jafal Rashed Al-Kuwari is listed at 155 cm and captained Qatar.
- Benedict Vilakazi played international football for South Africa at only 157 cm.
- Daniel Villalva made his River Plate first-team debut at 16 despite standing only 158 cm.
- Rui Barros reached Juventus, Monaco, Porto, and the Portugal national team at 159 cm.
- Several players around 160 cm became major stars, including Sebastian Giovinco and Maxi Moralez.
- Height measurements can differ between official sources, so this ranking prioritizes documented data instead of viral claims.
Top 10 Shortest Football Players of All Time
| Rank | Player | Country | Height | Feet/Inches | Position |
| 1 | Marcin Garuch | Poland | 154 cm | 5 ft 0.6 in | Winger / Midfielder |
| 2 | Élton José Xavier Gomes | Brazil | 154 cm | 5 ft 0.6 in | Attacking Midfielder |
| 3 | Jafal Rashed Al-Kuwari | Qatar | 155 cm | 5 ft 1 in | Midfielder |
| 4 | Benedict Vilakazi | South Africa | 157 cm | 5 ft 2 in | Midfielder |
| 5 | Daniel Villalva | Argentina | 158 cm | 5 ft 2 in | Second Striker / Winger |
| 6 | Rui Barros | Portugal | 159 cm | 5 ft 2.6 in | Attacking Midfielder |
| 7 | Sebastian Giovinco | Italy | 160 cm | 5 ft 3 in | Forward / Attacking Midfielder |
| 8 | Maxi Moralez | Argentina | About 160 cm | 5 ft 3 in | Attacking Midfielder |
| 9 | Levi Porter | England | 160 cm | 5 ft 3 in | Winger |
| 10 | Diego Buonanotte | Argentina | About 160 cm | 5 ft 3 in | Attacking Midfielder |
Height is the ranking factor. Players with the same verified height share the same position.
How We Verified the Shortest Football Players?
Height rankings are surprisingly difficult to research.
Different websites can list the same player at:
- 158 cm
- 159 cm
- 160 cm
That does not necessarily mean someone is lying.
Several factors can cause differences.
Measurements can be rounded
A player measured at 159.5 cm may appear as either 159 or 160 cm.
Feet and inches can create conversion differences
A profile listed as 5 feet 3 inches converts to about 160 cm.
Another database may round that figure to 159 cm.
Player profiles can be outdated
Some measurements are entered when players are young and are never corrected.
Secondary websites copy each other
One incorrect height can spread across dozens of websites.
That is why FootballerRank gives more weight to official club, federation, league, FIFA, or established professional-player records.
1. Marcin Garuch — 154 cm
Marcin Garuch is one of the shortest verified professional footballers in our research.
The Polish winger is listed at only 154 cm.
That is approximately:
5 feet 0.6 inches.
Garuch spent most of his career with Miedź Legnica.
He also played for clubs including Chojniczanka, Grbalj, and GKS Bełchatów.
His height did not stop him from eventually appearing in Poland’s top division.
In May 2023, Garuch made an Ekstraklasa appearance for Miedź Legnica.
That gave him top-flight experience at the age of 34.
His low centre of gravity suited a technical wide player.
He could change direction quickly and operate in crowded areas.
Marcin Garuch Career Facts
- Height: 154 cm
- Country: Poland
- Position: Winger / Midfielder
- Miedź first-team debut: 2007
- Miedź had credited him with 279 first-team matches and 30 goals by May 2023
Why Marcin Garuch Ranks Joint No. 1?
Garuch ranks joint first because reliable football databases list him at 154 cm and his professional career is well documented.
He did not simply appear in lower amateur football.
He spent years in Poland’s professional system and eventually appeared in the Ekstraklasa.
That combination of verified height and professional evidence gives him a strong claim as one of the shortest professional footballers ever.
2. Élton José Xavier Gomes — 154 cm
Élton José Xavier Gomes shares first place.
The Brazilian attacking midfielder is also listed at:
154 cm.
Élton built a remarkably international career.
He played in countries including:
- Brazil
- Romania
- Saudi Arabia
- Qatar
- United Arab Emirates
His clubs included Corinthians, Steaua București, Al-Nassr, Al-Fateh, and several others.
His best-known period came in Saudi football.
Élton became an important player for Al-Fateh.
He helped the club win the Saudi league title in 2012/13.
His technical qualities made his size less important.
He played primarily as an attacking midfielder and wide creator rather than in a position that required aerial dominance.
Élton Career Facts
- Height: 154 cm
- Country: Brazil
- Position: Attacking Midfielder
- Al-Fateh league appearances: 121
- Al-Fateh league goals: 48
Why Élton Ranks Joint No. 1?
Élton shares first place because strong football databases list him at exactly 154 cm.
His long senior career also makes the evidence much stronger than the claims surrounding many obscure names on shortest-player lists.
He competed professionally across several countries and won major domestic silverware.
3. Jafal Rashed Al-Kuwari — 155 cm
Jafal Rashed Al-Kuwari stands only one centimetre above our joint leaders.
The former Qatari midfielder is listed at:
155 cm.
He spent his senior club career with Al Sadd.
That career lasted from around 1990 until 2009.
Jafal also represented Qatar internationally.
He became captain of the national team.
That leadership role is important.
He was not simply a small player who briefly appeared in professional football.
He became a respected figure for both club and country.
His technical ability and midfield awareness allowed him to compete despite being much shorter than most opponents.
Jafal Rashed Career Facts
- Height: 155 cm
- Weight listed by major databases: about 48 kg
- Position: Midfielder
- Al Sadd senior career: 1990–2009
- Qatar international appearances commonly listed: 51
Why Jafal Rashed Ranks No. 3?
Jafal ranks third because his 155 cm height is supported by multiple football records.
His long Al Sadd career and Qatar captaincy also provide strong professional evidence.
He is one of the clearest examples of a very short player succeeding at both club and international level.
4. Benedict Vilakazi — 157 cm
Benedict Vilakazi is listed at:
157 cm.
The South African midfielder built the most important part of his club career with Orlando Pirates.
He also played for:
- AaB Aalborg
- Mamelodi Sundowns
- Black Leopards
- Clubs in Botswana and Eswatini
Vilakazi was an attacking and central midfielder.
His technical game suited his physical profile.
He could move quickly in tight spaces and operate between larger defenders.
His Orlando Pirates years were particularly productive.
Career records credit him with around 170 league appearances and 58 goals for the club.
He also represented South Africa at senior international level.
Benedict Vilakazi Career Facts
- Height: 157 cm
- Country: South Africa
- Position: Midfielder
- Orlando Pirates league appearances: about 170
- South Africa senior caps: around 30
Why Benedict Vilakazi Ranks No. 4?
Vilakazi ranks fourth because his 157 cm height is consistently listed by established football sources.
He also had a substantial professional career and represented South Africa.
That makes his place much easier to verify than many internet claims involving unknown players.
5. Daniel Villalva — 158 cm
Daniel Villalva is listed at:
158 cm.
The Argentine attacker became notable long before height rankings began discussing him.
He made his River Plate senior debut when he was only:
16 years, 7 months and 2 days old.
That made him one of the youngest players ever to appear for River’s first team.
Villalva played as:
- Second striker
- Left winger
- Right winger
His small frame helped give him a low centre of gravity.
He could turn quickly and attack defenders with the ball.
After River, Villalva continued his career mainly in Mexico and Argentina.
He spent significant time with Veracruz.
Daniel Villalva Career Facts
- Height: 158 cm
- Country: Argentina
- Position: Second Striker / Winger
- River Plate debut age: 16 years, 7 months, 2 days
- Argentina U17 record: 5 caps and 3 goals in commonly used records
Why Daniel Villalva Ranks No. 5?
Villalva ranks fifth because reliable player databases consistently place him at 158 cm.
His professional career is also easy to document.
His very young River Plate debut provides additional evidence that his small size never prevented him from reaching elite senior football.
6. Rui Barros — 159 cm
Rui Barros may have the strongest European club résumé among the very shortest players on this list.
The Portuguese Football Federation lists him at:
159 cm.
Barros played for clubs including:
- Porto
- Juventus
- Monaco
- Marseille
That is an elite club list for a player standing well below 160 cm.
He was primarily an attacking midfielder.
His technical ability, acceleration, and movement helped compensate for his lack of height.
Barros also represented Portugal at senior level.
The Portuguese federation credits him with 36 senior caps and four goals.
His club career included major trophies in Portugal and Italy.
Rui Barros Career Facts
- Height: 159 cm
- Weight: 60 kg
- Portugal senior caps: 36
- Portugal senior goals: 4
- Senior international minutes: 2,650
Why Rui Barros Ranks No. 6?
Barros ranks sixth because his 159 cm measurement comes directly from the Portuguese Football Federation.
That is strong first-party evidence.
His career at Porto, Juventus, Monaco, Marseille, and Portugal also makes him one of the highest-level footballers in this ranking.
7. Sebastian Giovinco — 160 cm
Sebastian Giovinco became famous partly because of his small frame.
His official Sampdoria profile lists him at:
160 cm.
Giovinco developed at Juventus.
He later played for Parma, Toronto FC, Al-Hilal, and Sampdoria.
His nickname was:
The Atomic Ant.
That nickname reflected both his height and explosive attacking style.
Giovinco’s best individual period came in Major League Soccer.
Toronto FC records show that he produced:
83 goals and 64 assists in 142 appearances across all competitions.
In 2015, he won the MLS MVP and Golden Boot.
He later helped Toronto win the 2017 MLS Cup.
Sebastian Giovinco Career Facts
- Height: 160 cm
- Weight: 61 kg
- Toronto FC appearances: 142
- Toronto FC goals: 83
- Toronto FC assists: 64
Why Sebastian Giovinco Ranks Joint No. 7?
Giovinco shares seventh because his official club profile lists him at 160 cm.
His career also shows that a player of this height can succeed in Serie A, international football, MLS, and the AFC Champions League.
He is one of the most successful very short players of the modern era.
8. Maxi Moralez — About 160 cm
Maxi Moralez is officially listed by New York City FC at:
5 feet 3 inches.
That converts to approximately:
160 cm.
The Argentine midfielder has spent much of his career as an attacking creator.
His clubs have included:
- Racing Club
- Vélez Sarsfield
- Atalanta
- León
- New York City FC
Moralez became an NYCFC legend.
He played a major role in the club’s 2021 MLS Cup victory.
His 2019 season was particularly creative.
He reached 20 assists.
Only a small number of players in MLS history had achieved that mark.
Maxi Moralez Career Facts
- Listed height: 5 ft 3 in
- Approximate metric height: 160 cm
- Position: Midfielder
- NYCFC MLS appearances: more than 200
- 2019 MLS assists: 20
Why Maxi Moralez Ranks Joint No. 8?
Moralez shares seventh because NYCFC officially lists him at 5 feet 3 inches, or roughly 160 cm.
Some databases round his metric height differently.
FootballerRank therefore uses the club’s direct measurement and labels the metric conversion as approximate.
9. Levi Porter — 160 cm
Levi Porter is another professionally documented player at:
160 cm.
The English winger came through Leicester City’s system.
He reached the senior team and spent several seasons with the club.
Porter primarily played:
- Left wing
- Left midfield
- Attacking midfield
He also represented England at youth level.
His Leicester period included Championship and League One football.
Porter later played in England’s lower divisions.
Levi Porter Career Facts
- Height: 160 cm
- Country: England
- Position: Winger
- Leicester City senior period: 2006–2010
- Recorded Leicester league goals: 3
Why Levi Porter Ranks Joint No. 9?
Porter shares seventh because multiple established player databases list him at 160 cm.
His Leicester City career also gives him clearly documented professional senior football.
That meets the verification standard used throughout this ranking.
10. Diego Buonanotte — About 160 cm
Diego Buonanotte completes our Top 10 group.
His listed height requires a small explanation.
Olympic records from his 2008 Argentina squad list him at:
160 cm.
Some later football databases list him at:
161 cm.
That one-centimetre difference is exactly why height rankings need source notes.
We use the Olympic measurement because it comes from the official tournament record from a major point in his senior career.
Buonanotte developed at River Plate.
He made 122 official appearances for River and scored 26 goals.
He later played in:
- Spain
- Mexico
- Chile
- Greece
He also won Olympic gold with Argentina in 2008.
Diego Buonanotte Career Facts
- Olympic-listed height: 160 cm
- Later database height: 161 cm
- River Plate appearances: 122
- River Plate goals: 26
- Olympic gold medals: 1
Why Diego Buonanotte Ranks Joint No. 10?
Buonanotte enters the final place because a major Olympic record lists him at 160 cm.
We do not hide that later databases sometimes show 161 cm.
If a future first-party measurement clearly establishes 161 cm, his exact place in the table should be adjusted.
Why Yeferson Soteldo Is Not in the Main Top 10?
Yeferson Soteldo is clearly one of football’s shortest high-level modern players.
The problem is measurement consistency.
Different credible sources have listed him at different heights.
Examples range around:
159 to 160 cm.
Some older club material using feet and inches can produce an even smaller conversion.
Because the page is ordered by differences of only one centimetre, that matters.
FootballerRank prefers to explain the disagreement rather than place him at an exact rank based on whichever figure produces the most dramatic result.
Soteldo remains one of the strongest near-misses.
Why Madson’s Height Is Difficult to Rank?
Brazilian midfielder Madson Formagini Caridade creates the same problem.
Some records list him around:
158 cm.
Others list him at:
160 cm.
A two-centimetre difference could move him several places in this ranking.
Until one measurement can be given clear priority, we keep him outside the exact Top 10.
This is better than pretending height data is more precise than the evidence allows.
Is Lionel Messi One of the Shortest Football Players Ever?
No.
Lionel Messi is short compared with many professional footballers.
He is not close to the record.
Messi is generally listed at around:
170 cm.
That makes him approximately:
16 cm taller than Garuch and Élton.
His famous childhood growth-hormone treatment may be one reason people associate Messi strongly with short footballers.
But in professional football terms, dozens of documented players have been significantly shorter.
Who Is the Shortest Famous Football Player?
That depends on what we mean by famous.
Among internationally recognized stars, Sebastian Giovinco is one of the clearest examples at 160 cm.
Rui Barros is even shorter at 159 cm and played for Juventus, Porto, Monaco, Marseille, and Portugal.
Maxi Moralez is another major modern example at around 160 cm.
Players such as Messi, Lorenzo Insigne, Xherdan Shaqiri, and Alexis Sánchez are short compared with many professionals but are not record holders.
Who Is the Shortest International Footballer?
There is no reliable global database that proves one player is the shortest senior international ever.
Among the players verified in this ranking, Jafal Rashed Al-Kuwari has one of the strongest cases.
He stood at:
155 cm.
He also represented Qatar and became national-team captain.
Benedict Vilakazi and Rui Barros also played senior international football despite standing below 160 cm.
Who Is the Shortest Player to Play in a Major European League?
Several very short players reached major European competitions.
Rui Barros stands out at 159 cm.
He played in:
- Serie A with Juventus
- Ligue 1 with Monaco and Marseille
- Portugal with Porto
Sebastian Giovinco, at 160 cm, played extensively in Serie A.
Maxi Moralez, around 160 cm, played for Atalanta in Italy.
The answer therefore depends on the league and exact measurement source.
Does Being Short Help a Football Player?
Height can create disadvantages.
A shorter player may struggle with:
- Aerial duels
- Defensive headers
- Physical battles
- Set-piece marking
But being short can also support certain playing qualities.
Lower centre of gravity
A lower centre of gravity can help with balance.
This can make fast changes of direction easier.
Quick turning
Small attacking midfielders often turn quickly in tight areas.
Close control
Shorter strides can help some players make rapid touches while dribbling.
Agility
Several players in this ranking built careers around agility rather than physical power.
That does not mean short players are automatically more technical.
It means different body types create different advantages and disadvantages.
What Positions Do Short Footballers Usually Play?
Most of the players in this Top 10 were attacking players.
Common positions include:
- Attacking midfield
- Winger
- Second striker
- Central midfield
There is a logical reason.
Height is less important in these roles than it is for:
- Goalkeepers
- Centre-backs
- Target strikers
A 154 cm goalkeeper would face an enormous reach disadvantage.
A 154 cm attacking midfielder can instead build his game around:
- Passing
- Dribbling
- acceleration
- movement
- technique
That is exactly what many of these players did.
Shortest vs Tallest Football Players
The physical difference between football’s shortest and tallest documented professionals is enormous.
Our shortest verified leaders are around:
154 cm.
The tallest documented professionals can exceed:
200 cm.
That creates a difference of roughly half a metre.
Yet both body types can succeed because football contains many different roles.
Goalkeepers and centre-backs often benefit from height.
Wingers and attacking midfielders can succeed through balance, speed, and technique.
That is why height should be treated as a physical record, not a quality ranking.
Does Height Determine Football Ability?
No.
The list itself proves that.
Rui Barros played for Juventus and Portugal.
Giovinco became an MLS MVP.
Moralez won MLS Cup.
Jafal captained Qatar.
Garuch reached Poland’s top division.
Height can affect how a player performs certain tasks.
It does not set a ceiling on technical quality, decision-making, or professional success.
Why Height Rankings Online Often Disagree
There are four main reasons.
Different sources use different measurements
One club may list 159 cm.
Another database may list 160 cm.
Conversions are rounded
Five feet three inches is approximately 160 cm.
Some sites may round differently.
Old records are incomplete
Older players may not have had standardized measurements recorded every season.
Unsourced lists copy each other
This is the biggest problem.
A claim can appear on hundreds of websites without any of them linking back to an original player record.
FootballerRank does not treat repetition as verification.
Are These the 10 Shortest Humans Ever to Play Football?
We cannot prove that.
Football has been played professionally and semi-professionally in thousands of clubs around the world.
There is no central historical database containing verified heights for every footballer.
The more accurate claim is:
These are ten of the shortest well-documented professional footballers we could verify using reliable football records.
That distinction matters.
It prevents a data-ranking article from making a claim stronger than the available evidence.
Why We Exclude Poorly Documented Players
Some online lists include names listed at:
150 cm
152 cm
153 cm
but provide almost no reliable evidence.
Sometimes the player:
- Has no traceable professional career
- Appears only on list websites
- Has no official profile
- Has conflicting identity information
- Has no reliable height record
FootballerRank does not rank a player simply because an unsourced list calls him the shortest footballer in history.
Professional-career verification comes first.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is the shortest football player of all time?
Among the well-documented professional players in our verified ranking, Marcin Garuch and Élton José Xavier Gomes share first place at 154 cm.
How tall is Marcin Garuch?
Garuch is listed at 154 cm, or approximately 5 feet 0.6 inches.
How tall is Élton José Xavier Gomes?
Élton is also listed at 154 cm.
How tall was Jafal Rashed Al-Kuwari?
Jafal is listed at 155 cm.
Who is the shortest South African footballer on this list?
Benedict Vilakazi, at 157 cm.
How tall is Daniel Villalva?
Villalva is listed at 158 cm.
How tall is Rui Barros?
The Portuguese Football Federation lists Rui Barros at 159 cm.
How tall is Sebastian Giovinco?
Sampdoria listed Giovinco at 160 cm.
How tall is Maxi Moralez?
New York City FC lists Moralez at 5 feet 3 inches, which is approximately 160 cm.
Is Lionel Messi the shortest professional footballer?
No. Messi is around 170 cm, making him much taller than the players at the top of this ranking.
Is Yeferson Soteldo one of the shortest footballers?
Yes. Soteldo is around 159–160 cm according to different official sources, but the disagreement makes an exact all-time position difficult to assign.
Why can a player’s height differ between websites?
Measurements can be rounded, converted differently, recorded at different ages, or copied incorrectly between databases.
Are shorter footballers better dribblers?
Not automatically. A lower centre of gravity can support balance and quick changes of direction, but dribbling quality still depends on technique, coordination, decision-making, and practice.
What position do most short players play?
Many very short professionals have been attacking midfielders, wingers, or second strikers because these roles rely heavily on technique and movement rather than aerial reach.
Can a 155 cm player become a professional footballer?
Yes. Jafal Rashed played for Al Sadd and Qatar at roughly 155 cm, while players at 154 cm have also built professional careers.
Are there professional players shorter than 154 cm?
There are claims online, but many lack strong professional or height documentation. FootballerRank does not present them as verified record holders without reliable evidence.
FootballerRank Verification Method
This article is a physical-record ranking, not an opinion-based list.
We compared height information from:
- National football federations
- Official club profiles
- Competition records
- FIFA or Olympic records where available
- Established professional football databases
A player also needed a traceable senior professional career.
When sources disagreed, we did not automatically choose the smallest number.
Instead, we looked at the strength of the source and noted uncertainty where it could change the ranking.
This is particularly important for players around 158–161 cm because one centimetre can move a player several places.
The same verification method should be used whenever this page is reviewed in future.
Conclusion
Marcin Garuch and Élton José Xavier Gomes share first place among the shortest well-documented professional football players we could verify at 154 cm, followed by Jafal Rashed Al-Kuwari at 155 cm, Benedict Vilakazi at 157 cm, Daniel Villalva at 158 cm, and Rui Barros at 159 cm. Sebastian Giovinco, Maxi Moralez, Levi Porter, and Diego Buonanotte complete the ranking around 160 cm. FootballerRank treats these heights as a data record rather than a judgment of ability, and our verification shows why careful sourcing matters: official profiles can differ by one or two centimetres, so a trustworthy shortest-player ranking should explain uncertainty instead of copying an unsourced number and presenting it as fact.
