The professional soccer player size is not contingent on one being a large / tall person. For example let’s use the best in the world who play pro [male and female]: Messi, Mbappe & Ada Hegerberg are small in stature. The Mexican National team, Argentina, Brazil, USA, Japan – these teams’ players are mostly under 6′ and weigh 160 pounds.
Contrary to popular belief, pro players come in all shapes and sizes. While the average height among pro players is 5′ 10″, there are many players like the 5′ 3” Messi who demonstrate that size does not dictate success on the field. Size is not as important as skill and technique in soccer, and smaller players can use their height to their advantage when competing against larger opponents. Also, the agility and quickness of smaller players can increase their chance of success and the right physical training can help to boost performance on the field. Smaller players don’t need to be intimidated by their size and can become top pro players.
5 small professional footballers
If you start to name the best pro soccer players, you will end up naming more small players.
- Leo Messi 160 lbs, 5’7″
- N’Golo Kante 153 lbs, 5’6″
- Pablo Gavi 150 lbs, 5’8″
- Raheem Sterling 152 lbs, 5’8″
- Luka Modric 143 lbs, 5’6″
Average size for smaller players: 151.6 lbs – 5’7″
Some of the shortest footballers in history
I remember growing up and wishing I was bigger. Looking closely at the national team players my age, one of the first things I would notice is their size.
If you’re small and “skillful” don’t focus on getting stronger… Focus on getting even better technically.
In the end, you have to have skill and strong mindset.
10 big players who are stars
A player weighing 175 – 190 lbs is considered big for a pro soccer player.
- Cristiano Ronaldo is 185 lbs and his height is 6’2″
- Virgil van Dijk 203 lbs, 6’5″
- Zlatan Ibrahimovic is 209 lbs, 6’5″
- Marcus Thuram 174 lbs, 6’4″
- Olivier Giroud 193 lbs, 6’4″
- Paul Pogba 185 lbs, 6’3″
- Robert Lewandowski 178 lbs, 6’1″
- Raphael Varane 178 lbs, 6’3″
- Romelu Lukaku 210 lbs, 6’3″
- Sergio Busquets 168 lbs, 6’2″
Average size for big players: 188.3 lbs, 6’3″
I would bet that the average pro footballer in La Liga [Spain] weighs 160.
Either way the most important thing is that you play hard and don’t worry about size. It’s more about the size of your heart, belief and skill.
What position to bigger players play
Besides the goal keeper, center backs are usually the biggest players on the pitch. I also think of forwards as being big compared to center or outside mids.
Then you have big players playing center mid too, like Yaya Toure or Frenkie De Jong.
Outside mids are usually smaller players because they have to run up and down the field a lot, they don’t get into many tackles or battles with opposing players.
Soccer player size doesn’t matter
You can see that out of all the best players there’s a mix of players. Some are tall, short, skinny or built.
Romelu Lukaku [Belgium] is big and strong. He’s 6’3″ and 210 lbs. One of the best strikers in the world from 2015 – 2023.
Gavi [Spain] is small and quick. He’s 5’8″ and 150 lbs.
Messi [Argentina] small and elusive. Height 5’7″ – weight is 160 lbs.
Mbappe [France] is a fast goal scorer. Height 5’10” – weight is 170 lbs
Kevin De Bruyne [Belgium] Great 1st touch and passing. Height 5’11” – weight 160 lbs
In conclusion, all the top pros are magical with the ball, that’s the common attribute. Having a smaller body size can lead to advantages on the soccer field. Players who are shorter and smaller are able to maneuver quickly, have increased agility and balance, reach tight spaces, and maximize their field vision to anticipate plays more easily. These qualities make them extremely valuable and successful on the pitch. So contrary to popular belief, the idea that only tall players have a successful career in professional soccer is a misconception. Players of all sizes and shapes have the ability to succeed in the sport, and those on the shorter side have some distinct advantages.
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