Soccer as a contact sport is one where every physical feature matters. From one’s stamina, height, flexibility, and speed, ignoring any might be to the player’s own peril.
One very important feature not to neglect is the height of a player. The height of any soccer player can make or mar the end result of a game.
From the defense, attacking, and even to the goalie, having the right height in soccer cannot be overlooked. This article will provide answers to questions like what is the average height of soccer players? And discuss the average height of soccer positions.
What is the average height of soccer players?
On average, the height of any soccer player is estimated to be anywhere around 180 cm (5 ft 11″). Although there are variations according to the various positions, each player occupies on the pitch.
The 5 tallest soccer players in the world right now:
1. Simon Bloch Jorgensen – 2.10 m
2. Kristof Van Hout – 2.08 m
3. Tomas Holy – 2.06 m
4. Vanja Ivesa – 2.05 m
5. Yang Changpeng – 2.05 m.
The shortest soccer players in the world right now:
1. Marcin Garuch – 1.54 m
2. Elton Jose Xavier Gomes – 1.54 m
3. Daniel Villalva – 1.55 m
4. Saliu Popoola – 1.57 m
5. Madson Formagini Caridade – 1.57 m.
The average height of a soccer goalkeeper
Being the guardian of the goalpost, having the right height is crucial, amongst other skills, to protect shots going into the net.
An average goalie in most big leagues measures around 188 cm (6 ft 2″) or more, and this is vital for many reasons:
A long arm means a lot of saves.
Compared to a short goalie, it is easier for a tall Goalkeeper with requisite flexibility to deflect a ball meant for the net due to his height.
This, however, does not mean that most average goalies aren’t able to save balls at very long distances. A short goalie compensates for his height deficiency with speed and flexibility.
Simon Bloch Jorgensen is one of the tallest soccer goalkeepers in the world right now, with a 210 cm.
The two shortest soccer goalkeepers in the world right now are Tom Ikara (1.71 m or 5 ft 7 in), who currently plays for Uganda Premier League side Police FC, and Khairulhin Khalid (1.71 m), who plays for Hougang United in the Singapore Premier League.
Tottenham’s Fraser Forster is currently the tallest goalkeeper in the Premier League with a height of 202 cm.
The average height of a soccer defender
Most defenders measure about 183 cm or more in the English premiership league- reasons not far-fetched.
Intercepting an attacker geared at a defender’s goalpost is much easier for a tall player with the right body size than an averagely built defender. It becomes more daunting for the latter if the attacker is maybe of a tall physique.
A defender of a tall height can easily reach for a lone ball when a through the pass is made. This can only be easy for a short player if speed and agility are present.
Newcastle United and English defender Dan Burn is one of the tallest defenders in the world, standing at 6 ft 7 inches tall.
Lisandro Martínez has a height of 1.75 m. Despite his height, he is one of the best left-footed centre-backs in the world. He is great at timing his aerial duels and winning balls in the air.
The average height of soccer midfielders
Most midfielders rank, on average, at the height of about 180 cm (5 ft 11″) due to the role they play in the center.
Their responsibility in having the ball flow smoothly from their defense and maintaining possession at the center while also making forward passes for the strikers in the opponent half requires a player with accurate and swift footwork.
Thankfully, the reason most midfielders are relatively short or on the average side owes to the necessity of having the right height for such a position.
The shortest active soccer player in football is Polish player Marcin Garuch, a midfielder with a height of 1.54 m (5 ft).
One of the best midfielders in the world Marco Verratti, stands at 1.65 m (5 ft 4″) yet performs his role excellently.
Ryan Fraser, who players for Southampton, is one of the shortest players in England with a height of 5 ft 5″.
The average height of soccer players striker
A striker’s place in the field of play is highly versatile.
Whether it’s providing the right assist to net a ball, cutting through the defense, and dribbling a goalie, to finally making the goal, anyone below the average height is likely to flop.
The average height for most strikers ranges from 182 cm (6 ft) or more. This is due to the astuteness and thoroughness in scoring a goal.
It takes a quick foot and small body mass to cut through any formidable wall of defense, as being close to the center of gravity allows for such a feat.
One key takeaway is that whatever position a soccer player is on the field of play, having the right height would go a long way to meeting the aim of any game.
Chinese striker Yang Changpeng is one of the tallest strikers in football at the moment, standing at 2.05 m (6 ft 8″).
In contrast, Chilean forward Alexis Sanchez is one of the shortest soccer strikers in the world, with a height of 1.68 m (5 ft 6″).