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

Height does not dictate success in football. This list highlights ten of the shortest players in the world who have left a lasting impact on the sport through skill and determination.

10. Xherdan Shaqiri (5 ft 7)

Born in 1991, Xherdan Shaqiri is a Swiss player with Yugoslavian and Albanian roots. Known for his speed and unpredictability, he has played for clubs like Liverpool, Bayern Munich, and Inter Milan. FIFA praises his two-footed ability, vision, and goal-scoring prowess, earning him nicknames such as "Alpine Messi" and "magic dwarf." His standout moment was a hat-trick against Honduras in the 2014 World Cup.

9. Lionel Messi (5 ft 7)

Lionel Andrés Messi, regarded as one of the greatest ever, stands at 5 feet 7 inches. The Argentine captain currently plays for Inter Miami in Major League Soccer. Over his career, he has won eight Ballon d'Or awards, six European Golden Shoes, and multiple FIFA Best Player awards. Messi’s trophy haul with Barcelona includes ten La Liga titles and four Champions League trophies. He also led Argentina to win the 2021 Copa América and the 2022 FIFA World Cup.

8. Alexis Sanchez (5 ft 6)

Chilean forward Alexis Sanchez measures 5 feet 6.5 inches and remains active at 35. His career includes time at Manchester United and Barcelona, where he was once the shortest player in La Liga. Sanchez’s experience across Europe keeps him competitive at the top level.

7. Joe Allen (5 ft 6)

Joe Allen, a Welsh midfielder standing 5 feet 6 inches, began with Swansea City and debuted professionally at 16. He moved to Liverpool for £15 million, appearing over 130 times before joining Stoke City and then returning to Swansea. Allen represented Great Britain at the 2012 Olympics and is known for his midfield control.

6. Ngolo Kante (5 ft 6)

N'Golo Kanté is famous as a relentless defensive midfielder. At 5 feet 6 inches, he rose from France's lower leagues to win the World Cup in 2018. He played a key role in Leicester City’s 2016 Premier League title and won consecutive league titles with Chelsea. Kante’s accolades include Premier League Player of the Season and UEFA Midfielder of the Year.

5. Yuya Osako (5 ft 5)

Japanese forward Yuya Osako stands 5 feet 5 inches. He scored a historic header against Colombia in the 2018 World Cup, helping Japan become the first Asian team to beat a South American side in the tournament. Osako also played a significant part in Japan’s run to the 2019 AFC Asian Cup final.

4. Marco Verratti (5 ft 4)

Marco Verratti, at 5 feet 4 inches, is a creative Italian midfielder currently at Al-Arabi in Qatar. Starting at Pescara, he won the Serie B title and earned comparisons to Andrea Pirlo. His move to Paris Saint-Germain saw him claim nine Ligue 1 titles. Verratti has represented Italy at Euro 2020, leading them to victory.

3. Lorenzo Insigne (5 ft 3)

Lorenzo Insigne, a winger known for his technical skills and free kicks, is 5 feet 3 inches tall. Beginning at Napoli, he developed through loan spells before becoming a key player. Insigne contributed to Italy’s successes at Euro 2016 and Euro 2020.

2. Daniel Villalva (5 ft 0)

Daniel "Keko" Villalva, measuring only 5 feet tall, started young at River Plate, debuting at 16. Despite a serious spinal injury early in his career, he showed resilience by returning to play in Argentina’s second division. He represented Argentina at U-15 and U-17 levels and played in major youth tournaments in 2009.

1. Elton Jose Xavier Gomes (5 ft 0)

The shortest footballer on this list is Brazilian Elton Jose Xavier Gomes, known as Élton Arábia. Standing 5 feet tall, he made his name as an attacking midfielder. His nickname comes from his successful spell in Saudi Arabia rather than any ethnic background.