By There was a time when it was believed that football was a big man’s game where you had to be physically strong. Initially physical strength was given more importance than skills and technical ability. There have been some players in the history of football who have changed the definition of the Big man’s game with their skills and mental abilities. Players like Lionel Messi, Juan Mata and Santi Cazorla are amongst the shortest footballers known worldwide. In this article we’ll talk about the seven shortest player of all time.
1. Élton José Xavier Gomes (5 feet 0.63 inches)
Élton José Xavier Gomes, Brazilian footballer with the height measurement of 1.54 m (5 feet 0.63 inches) tall is the world shortest player of all time in the history of Football. Currently, Élton José Xavier Gomes plays for Saudi club Al-Qadsiah FC as an attacking midfielder. In 2007, Gomes was signed for Romanian team Bucuresti. Due to his top-class skill and football tactics, he’s one of the most loved midfielders in the world (Besides being the shortest soccer player). He has scored 11 goals while playing for his former side Al-Fateh FC, which solidified their victory in the league for the first time.
2. Daniel Alberto Villalva Barrios (5 feet 0.63 inches)
The Argentinian striker who plays for Mexican club Querétaro, Daniel Alberto Villalva Barrios is 1.54 m (5 feet 0.63 inches) tall. He is the second shortest player in our list followed by Élton José Xavier Gomes in the first position. Daniel Alberto Villalva Barrios is the shortest footballer in his club and he is one of the youngest players to represent River Plate. Currently, Villalva is just 21-years-old, he represented his country, Argentina in the 2009 U-17 World Cup. Besides being the shortest in the teams, he never hesitates to score for his team and nation.
3. Jafal Rashed Al-Kuwari (5 feet 1 inch)
Jafal Rashed Al-Kuwari is a 1.55 m (5 feet 1 inch) tall footballer and one of the shortest football players of all time. He has played as a midfielder for the Qatari side Al-Sadd.
And 2009 was the year of his retirement. Rashed played his farewell match against AC Milan, and throughout his career, he has been a promising player in football.
He has remained the captain of the Qatari national team and also played beach football for it. Despite his small height, he has proved himself as one of the greatest soccer players the world has ever produced.
4. Rui Gil Soares de Barros (5 feet 2 inches)
Rui Gil Soares de Barros with a height of 1.6 m (5 feet 3 inches) is a Portuguese player. He was recently added in the management of Portugal national team. Barros was known for his highly dangerous attacking midfielder. He played for numerous clubs and won plenty of awards and titles for his team. He represented Porto, Juventus, and Marseille, in the late ’80s and ’90s. With the determination in his eyes, he conquered the world of football and has made a name in the world of soccer. Rui Gil Soares de Barros’s playing style were far ahead from their generation, his ability to keep the ball away from the opponents is the major reason why he is highly respected football. He scored a total of 43 goals in 191 games.
5. Maximiliano Moralez (5 feet 2 inches)
Maximiliano Moralez aka. “Maxi,” is an Argentine Professional Footballer, who is around 1.6 m tall. He play for Soccer club New York City FC as an attacking midfielder in various leagues. Maximiliano Moralez made is debut in the year 2003, he named himself among the highly skilled players of all time with his impeccable football skills.
6. Levi Porter (5 feet 3 inches)
Levi Roger Porter, with a height measurement of just 5 ft 3 inches is a perfect example for the one who has insecurities with their heights. He showed how you can prove the entire world wrong if you are determined to do something exceptional. Porter is now 33-years-old, his career boomed with the one year contract extension with Leicester City. After that he never looked back, Levi in December 2014 joined Shepshed Dynamo and became the most dependable member in the team.
7. Madson Formagini Caridade (5 feet 3 inches)
Madson Formagini Caridade who has a height measurement of 5 feet 3 inches is the seventh shortest player in our list. He ruled the hearts of people for years because of his brilliant football skills. Madson started his career with famous clubs like Vasco da Gama club. He also played for Brazilian club Fortaleza FC.
