10 Shortest Players in Football History

Size isn’t everything in football. Some of the greatest players in history, like Diego Maradona and Lionel Messi, weren’t the tallest, but their low center of gravity made them incredibly agile and difficult to stop.

But who are the shortest footballers of all time? In compiling a list of the 10 smallest-ever players, only those who played in a recognized league were considered, ensuring their official heights could be verified.

10. Bernard

Everton, 1.64m

Brazilian attacking midfielder Bernard joined Everton from Shakhtar Donetsk, where he won three Ukrainian Super League titles. During his time at Goodison Park from 2018 to 2021, he made 84 appearances and scored eight goals, including a memorable winner in a thrilling 5-4 FA Cup clash.

Everton led 3-1 at halftime, but Spurs fought back, with Harry Kane equalizing at 4-4 in the final minutes. The match went to extra time, where Bernard sealed victory with a decisive strike, sending Everton into the quarter-finals. Since leaving Merseyside, he has played for clubs including Panathinaikos.

9. Ryan Fraser

Newcastle, Bournemouth, Southampton - 1.63m

Scottish winger Ryan Fraser is approaching 400 career appearances, with 50 goals to his name. Known for his agility and quick changes of direction, his low center of gravity makes him a difficult player to mark.

Fraser is best remembered for his time at AFC Bournemouth, where he played over 200 games. His most prolific season came in 2018/19 when he scored seven goals, including a brace in a 4-2 victory over Leicester City.

Although Eddie Howe later moved him on while at Newcastle, he had high praise for Fraser during their time together at Bournemouth, stating: "Ryan is an incredible talent, he is a great lad."

8. Tariq Lamptey

Brighton - 1.63m

Tariq Lamptey emerged from Chelsea's youth academy, making three senior appearances before joining Brighton, where he has made a significant impact at right-back.

Born in England, Lamptey initially represented the Three Lions at the U21 level but later chose to play for Ghana, making his debut against Brazil.

With over 100 appearances for Brighton, he has attracted plenty of admirers. Known for his blistering pace, Lamptey has recorded speeds on par with Mohamed Salah and Adama Traoré, two of the fastest players in world football.

7. Lorenzo Insigne

Italy - 1.63m

Diminutive left-winger Lorenzo Insigne enjoyed his finest moment at Euro 2020, where Italy triumphed. He scored a crucial second goal in the quarter-final win over Belgium and started the final, which Italy won on penalties against England.

A key figure at Napoli for many years, Insigne made 434 appearances and scored 122 goals for the club. Unfortunately, he departed just a year before Napoli reclaimed the Serie A title in 2023. His best goalscoring season came in 2020/21, when he netted 19 times as captain.

6. Alan Wright

England - 1.63m

Left-back Alan Wright won the Premier League title with Blackburn Rovers in 1995, though his first-team chances were limited due to the presence of Graeme Le Saux. That summer, he moved to Aston Villa, where he quickly became a key figure at Villa Park.

Wright went on to make 327 appearances for Villa and was part of the team that won the 1996 League Cup final against Leeds. Reflecting on his time at the club, he said:

"If you work hard, people will take to you. I had a fantastic relationship with the Aston Villa supporters, and the bond was very strong. I look back fondly on my time there, and I'd like to think the fans enjoyed having me too. I feel like they did. They were great with me.”

5. Maxi Moralez

Argentina, 1.60m

Maxi Moralez left Argentina to join Atalanta in Serie A, where he made nearly 150 appearances. He made an immediate impact, scoring twice on his debut in a 2-2 draw with Genoa. Operating either as a left winger or an attacking midfielder, Moralez found the net 20 times during his time in Italy.

He later became a key figure in MLS with New York City FC, playing close to 250 games for the club. One of his standout moments at Atalanta came in 2015 when he set up the winning goal in a 1-0 victory over AC Milan—only Atalanta’s fifth away win against Milan in 35 years.

4. Jose Dominguez

Portugal, 1.60m

José Domínguez joined Tottenham Hotspur from Sporting Lisbon, but he was no stranger to English football, having spent a successful season at Birmingham City. During his time at St Andrew’s, he played a key role in helping the Blues win the League One title, scoring some memorable goals along the way.

A dynamic left winger known for his dribbling ability, Domínguez loved to take on defenders and weave his way toward goal. He was part of the Spurs squad that lifted silverware, making the bench for the 1999 League Cup final, where Tottenham edged past Leicester City 1-0. While his performances could be inconsistent, he always brought excitement to the pitch.

3. Madson

Brazil, 1.60m

Not to be confused with the Brazilian full-back Madson, who also played for Santos, Madson Formagini Caridade was an attacking midfielder for the club. Over his career in Brazil's top flight, he made more than 100 appearances for Santos, the team once led by Pelé. Some of these matches saw him play alongside Neymar, Brazil's all-time top scorer.

Madson and Neymar both found the net in a 2009 Campeonato Paulista semi-final victory over Palmeiras. Unfortunately for Santos and Madson, they were defeated 3-1 by Corinthians in the final, where Ronaldo Luís Nazário proved the difference, scoring twice to seal the win for his side.

2. Daniel Villalva

Argentina - 1.59m

Argentine Daniel Villalva was part of the same youth team as World Cup-winning goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez. A versatile player, he featured as both a winger and attacking midfielder during his five-year stint at River Plate, one of Argentina’s biggest clubs.

Unfortunately for Villalva, his time at River Plate coincided with the club’s most challenging period. In 2011, the team was relegated to Argentina's second division for the first time in its 110-year history, although Villalva was sidelined for much of that season due to injury. In 2009, at just 16 years old, he made history as the youngest player to ever feature for River Plate.

1. Rui Barros

Portugal - 1.58m

Rui Barros was named the 1988 Portuguese Player of the Year, following in the footsteps of previous winners like Luis Figo and Eusebio. His impressive performances for Porto earned him a move to Italian giants Juventus. During his time in Turin, Barros scored 19 goals in 95 appearances, showcasing his skill with some memorable finishes. He played a key role in helping Juventus secure both the 1989 Coppa Italia and UEFA Cup titles.

One of his standout moments came in the semi-final second leg of the UEFA Cup, where he scored a crucial goal against Cologne. He also started in both legs of the final. Despite his smaller stature, Barros was known for his determination and technical ability on the ball. His remarkable performance in the Coppa Italia final against European champions AC Milan, playing the full 90 minutes, highlighted his resilience and skill.