Top 10 Shortest Football Players in 2026

Height has often been seen as an advantage in football, but many players have shown that skill and determination outweigh stature. From Elton José Xavier Gomes to Daniel Villalva and Marco Verratti, these players, standing between 154 cm and 167 cm, prove their worth on the pitch with agility, vision, and technical prowess. Their low center of gravity helps them maneuver quickly and maintain control under pressure, challenging the idea that only tall athletes can succeed in football.

Greats like Lionel Messi, Diego Maradona, Pelé, and Roberto Carlos also showed that being shorter doesn't limit a player's impact. Messi, for example, is a prime example of how a lower height can aid in dribbling past defenders. Here’s a look at the ten shortest footballers active in 2026 who continue to inspire fans worldwide.

Rank: 10 Name: Bernard Height (cm): 167 Club: Atlético Mineiro
Rank: 9 Name: Marco Verratti Height (cm): 165 Club: Al Duhail
Rank: 8 Name: Ryan Fraser Height (cm): 163 Club: Western Sydney Wanderers
Rank: 7 Name: Tariq Lamptey Height (cm): 163 Club: ACF Fiorentina
Rank: 6 Name: Lorenzo Insigne Height (cm): 163 Club: Pescara
Rank: 5 Name: Maximiliano Moralez Height (cm): 160 Club: New York City
Rank: 4 Name: Yeferson Soteldo Height (cm): 159 Club: Fluminense
Rank: 3 Name: Saliu Popoola Height (cm): 157 Club: Amal Tiznit
Rank: 2 Name: Daniel Villalva Height (cm): 155 Club: Boca Unidos
Rank: 1 Name: Elton José Xavier Gomes Height (cm): 154 Club: Zumbi

Profiles of the Shortest Footballers

10) Bernard (Atlético Mineiro & Brazil)

Bernard's career took off after winning three Ukrainian Super League titles with Shakhtar Donetsk. He later joined Everton, making 84 appearances and scoring a crucial winner against Tottenham in the FA Cup, helping Everton reach the quarter-finals. Standing at 167 cm, Bernard now represents his boyhood club Atlético Mineiro and has about 320 career appearances.

9) Marco Verratti (Al Duhail & Italy)

Marco Verratti, 165 cm tall, spent most of his career at Paris Saint-Germain, playing over 400 matches and winning 30 trophies. Currently at Al Duhail in Qatar, Verratti is considered one of the finest midfielders globally and was part of Italy’s Euro-winning squad. His career features 450+ appearances across clubs like PSG and Pescara.

8) Ryan Fraser (Western Sydney Wanderers & Scotland)

Ryan Fraser stands 163 cm tall and is known for his quick changes of direction and low center of gravity. With over 365 appearances, he made a mark at AFC Bournemouth with 208 games, 24 goals, and 31 assists. Fraser now plays in Australia for Western Sydney Wanderers.

7) Tariq Lamptey (ACF Fiorentina & Ghana)

Tariq Lamptey, another 163 cm player, started at Chelsea but gained prominence at Brighton & Hove Albion. Known for speed and stamina, he has accumulated more than 200 appearances and currently competes in Serie A with Fiorentina.

6) Lorenzo Insigne (Pescara & Italy)

Lorenzo Insigne, 163 cm, made his name at Napoli and shone at Euro 2020 by scoring a vital goal in the quarter-finals and lifting the trophy with Italy. After a stint at Toronto FC, he returned to Italy with Pescara. Over his career, he has made 600+ appearances.

5) Maximiliano Moralez (New York City & Argentina)

Maxi Moralez, 160 cm, gained attention during his time at Atalanta in Serie A. Now playing for New York City FC in MLS, he has scored 41 goals and delivered 82 assists in 274 matches. Across all clubs, he has surpassed 600 appearances.

4) Yeferson Soteldo (Fluminense & Venezuela)

At 159 cm, Venezuelan Yeferson Soteldo impresses with pace and creativity despite occasional inconsistency. Versatile in attack, he has played for clubs like Santos and Toronto FC and currently performs for Fluminense with over 250 career appearances.

3) Saliu Popoola (Amal Tiznit & Nigeria)

Saliu Popoola, standing 157 cm, is known in African club football and currently plays in Morocco. Though mostly active in lesser-known leagues, his career highlights include a spell at French club FC Metz and five national caps for Nigeria, totaling 120+ appearances.

2) Daniel Villalva (Boca Unidos & Argentina)

Daniel Villalva became River Plate’s youngest player at 16 and has played over 390 times professionally. Standing 155 cm tall, he mainly operates as a winger or attacking midfielder. Despite being part of River Plate’s relegation season, Villalva remains a respected figure in Argentine football.

1) Elton José Xavier Gomes (Zumbi & Brazil)

The shortest player on this list at 154 cm, Elton José Xavier Gomes plays as an attacking midfielder or winger for Zumbi EC. With a career spanning clubs like Corinthians and Al Nassr, he has over 370 appearances, scoring 82 goals and assisting 56 times, proving size doesn’t hold back talent.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is the shortest football player ever? Elton José Xavier Gomes, standing 154 cm tall.
Is Lionel Messi among the shortest football players? Messi is relatively short at around 170 cm but there are many shorter players.
Is Lorenzo Insigne one of the shortest footballers currently? Yes, he is among the shortest active professionals.
Who are the top 5 shortest football players? Maximiliano Moralez, Yeferson Soteldo, Saliu Popoola, Daniel Villalva, and Elton José Xavier Gomes.