Soccer, which is frequently referred to as the “beautiful game,” features players of all different heights and shapes. While agility, speed, and skill are essential components of the game, height can also offer a definite edge on the field.
Being a top player in professional soccer does not require being tall. It does, however, aid in some roles more than others. For goalkeepers and center-backs, for instance, being tall is unquestionably advantageous. Any midfielder would, however, choose agility over height.
Having said that, some of the best tallest soccer players have achieved great success in part because of their height. They have been able to make the most of their abilities, which has helped them perform at a better level.
The tallest soccer player in the world, both historically and currently, will be discussed in this article.
Top 20 Tallest Soccer Players of All Time
There have been some extremely tall players on the field ever since soccer was first introduced. In actuality, a few of the world’s tallest soccer players are also among the world’s tallest individuals.
Here is a list of the top 20 tallest professional soccer players in the world. Notably, a large portion of these players are goalies, the position that benefits the most from height. Some field players, though, have also towered over the competition.
1. Kristof van Hout (Belgium) – 6 feet 10 inches (208 cm)
2. Vanja Ivesa (Croatia) – 6 feet 9.5 inches (207 cm)
3. Yang Changpeng (China) – 6 feet 9 inches (206 cm)
4. Stefan Maierhofer (Austria) – 6 feet 7 inches (201 cm)
5. Peter Crouch (England) – 6 feet 7 inches (201 cm)
6. Costel Pantilimon (Romania) – 6 feet 8 inches (203 cm)
7. Lacina Traoré (Ivory Coast) – 6 feet 8 inches (203 cm)
8. Asmir Begović (Bosnia and Herzegovina) – 6 feet 6.5 inches (199 cm)
9. Abdoul Karim Yoda (Burkina Faso) – 6 feet 6.5 inches (199 cm)
10. Simon Bloch Jørgensen (Denmark) – 6 feet 6 inches (198 cm)
11. Thibaut Courtois (Belgium) – 6 feet 6 inches (198 cm)
12. Nikola Zigic (Serbia) – 6 feet 8 inches (203 cm)
13.Kjell Scherpen (Brighton & Hove Albion/Netherlands) – 6 feet 8.3 inches (204 cm)
14. Wout Weghorst (Netherlands) – 6 feet 5.6 inches (197 cm)
15. Fraser Forster (Southampton/England) – 6 feet 7.1 inches (201 cm)
16. Sasa Kalajdzic (Wolves/Austria) – 6 feet 7 inches (200 cm)
17. Paul Millar (Scotland) – 6 feet 9.9 inches (208 cm)
18. Tor Hogne Aaroy (Norway) – 6 feet 8.3 inches (204 cm)
19. Oyvind Hoas (Norway) – 6 feet 7.9 inches ( 203cm)
20. Samuel Adeniran (US) – 6 feet 5.1inches (196 cm)
1. Kristof van Hout
Kristof van Hout, who stands at a staggering 6 feet 10 inches (208 cm), is usually regarded as the tallest professional soccer player in history.
The majority of the Belgian goalkeeper’s playing career was spent with clubs like Racing Genk and Standard Liège.
Because of his height, he was able to cover more ground in the goal, which made it very difficult for opponents to score.
He graduated from the Lommel, Geel, and Willem II youth academies of the Belgian professional league. He played for notable Belgian pro league teams like Kortrijk, Standard Liege, and Genk from 2007 until 2014. Kristof van Hout traveled to India in 2014 to play for Delhi Dynamos.
He returned to the Belgian professional division to play for Westerlo a year later, though, and has been making club appearances ever since.
2. Vanja Ivesa
Croatian goalie Vanja Ives recently announced his retirement in 2021 at the age of 43. He made his senior debut in 1995, and during the course of a 26-year soccer career, he played for a number of Croatian football clubs as well as brief periods in Turkey and Australia.
He made history at the start of 2018 by turning into the oldest player ever to represent a Croatian football club in the top league. He has the distinction of being the tallest player to play professional soccer in leagues in Croatia, Turkey, and Australia.
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3. Yang Changpeng
Yang Changpeng also referred to as “Cao Cao,” is the tallest active soccer player in the world. Standing at 6 feet 9 inches (206 cm), this Chinese defender is a tower.
Yang is a strong asset for both club and the nation due to his height, which gives him a substantial edge in aerial contests.
Yang, a Chinese striker, gained notoriety in 2006 while playing for Bolton Wanderers. He was given the nickname “Chinese Peter Crouch” when he first arrived while undergoing a month-long trial in England.
But after failing to make an impact, he returned to his native country. Later, he played for a number of Chinese clubs, including Yinchuan Helanshan, Meizhou Kejia, Chengdu Blades, and Shenzhen Fengpeng.
He presently competes in the Chinese Super League for Henan Jianye.
4. Stefan Maierhofer
Veteran Austrian attacker Stefan Maierhofer is currently available for hire. During the 2020–21 season, the 39-year-old participated with Würzburger Kickers in the 2. Bundesliga.
In 2005, the former Austrian international joined Bayern Munich’s reserve team and made a few cameos with the senior group. He always had a journeyman career, though, and never stayed put at one club for an extended period of time.
With Rapid Vienna and Red Bull Salzburg, Stefan Maierhofer nevertheless won the Austrian Bundesliga. In 2009, he also signed with Wolverhampton Wolves of the English Premier League, although injuries limited his time there.
5. Peter Crouch
Peter Crouch, who is 6 feet 7 inches tall (2.01 meters), is well known for both his height and his extraordinary goal-scoring prowess.
Crouch had a prosperous career playing for different English clubs, such as Liverpool, Tottenham Hotspur, and Stoke City. Despite his enormous size, Crouch demonstrated an outstanding degree of talent, and his amazing bicycle kicks eventually became a signature move.
6. Costel Pantilimon
Costel Fane Pantilimon, a football player from Romania, most recently served as a goalkeeper for the Turkish team Denizlispor. Between 2011 to 2014, he played with Manchester City, where he received plaudits for his efforts.
He rose to the position of tallest Premier League soccer player while representing City. He played for Sunderland after leaving the Sky Blues. He presently occupies the seventh position, standing at 6’8″ (203 cm) tall.
He is renowned for his excellent performance and manners. Pantilimon has played for the Romanian national team since 2008 in addition to his club career.
7. Lacina Traoré
Lacina Traoré, an Ivorian football player, most recently competed for Varzim of Portugal. Traoré gained attention after Monaco acquired him in 2014. However, his time spent with Everton on loan from AS Monaco is what made him most famous.
He was the tallest soccer player in the English Premier League when playing as a striker for Premier League team Everton. Due to his 6 feet 8-inch height, Traoré is also known as “The Big Tree” and the “Gentle Giant.”
He also relies on his speed and power in addition to merely his height. Traoré also competed for Sporting Gijón, and on February 5, 2017, he made his La Liga debut against Alavés.
8. Asmir Begović
Premier League veteran Asmir Begovic plays for Everton in the top division. The Bosnian international’s early years were spent in Canada and Germany. He went to England in 2003 after signing a youth contract with Portsmouth.
Asmir Begovic played for a number of elite English teams in the Premier League, including Portsmouth, Stoke City, Chelsea, and Bournemouth. He also enjoyed a brief loan with Italian powerhouse AC Milan in the 2019–20 season.
9. Abdoul Karim Yoda
Abdoul Karim Yoda is a professional soccer player from Burkina Faso. Born on November 8, 1988, Yoda is known for his versatility and technical skills on the field. Primarily a midfielder, he has also played as a winger during his career.
Yoda began his professional career in Burkina Faso with ASFA Yennenga before making a move to Europe. He had stints with clubs in various countries, including Belgium, Turkey, and Greece. Yoda gained prominence during his time at Charleroi in the Belgian Pro League, where his impressive performances caught the attention of scouts.
At the international level, Yoda has represented the Burkina Faso national team. He has featured in several important matches, including FIFA World Cup qualifiers and Africa Cup of Nations tournaments. Yoda’s contributions to the national team have made him a respected figure among Burkinabe soccer fans.
Known for his agility, vision, and ability to create scoring opportunities, Abdoul Karim Yoda has earned a reputation as a skillful and dynamic player throughout his career. His technical abilities, combined with his tactical awareness, have made him a valuable asset for the teams he has played for.
10. Simon Bloch Jørgensen
Simon, a goalkeeper from Denmark, competes for Waltham Abbey in Division One of the Southern League. He is thought to be the tallest player playing soccer right now.
He played for a number of Danish clubs throughout his formative years, including Frem, FC Copenhagen, B.93, and B.1908. He has, however, been hopping about clubs in the lower echelons of English soccer lately.
11. Thibaut Courtois
Thibaut Courtois is the goalkeeper for La Liga club Real Madrid and the Belgium national team. He is regarded as one of the best goalkeepers in the entire globe. He was the first Belgian goalkeeper to play 100 times for his nation on December 1, 2022, in a scoreless draw with Croatia.
12. Nikola Zigic
Nikola Žigić, a Serbian professional soccer player, is best known for his remarkable height and aerial prowess. Standing at an impressive 6 feet 8 inches (2.03 meters), Žigić has made a name for himself as one of the tallest forwards in the history of the sport. Throughout his career, he showcased his ability to dominate in the air, posing a constant threat to opposition defenses.
Žigić began his professional journey in Serbia, playing for clubs such as Red Star Belgrade and FK Crvena Zvezda. His performances caught the attention of scouts, leading him to move to Spain, where he played for Racing Santander and Valencia CF. It was during his time at Valencia that Žigić experienced considerable success, contributing crucial goals and helping the team achieve notable victories.
Internationally, Žigić represented the Serbian national team, earning caps and making appearances in major tournaments such as the UEFA European Championship and the FIFA World Cup. He contributed goals and played an integral role in Serbia’s national team setup.
Although Žigić retired from professional soccer in 2015, his legacy as one of the tallest and most influential forwards in the game remains. His height, combined with his technical ability and goal-scoring instincts, made him a formidable force in the attacking third. Žigić’s contributions to the sport serve as a testament to the impact that a player with exceptional height and skill can have on the beautiful game.
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13. Kjell Scherpen
Dutch soccer player Kjell Scherpen competes in the Premier League for Brighton & Hove Albion. The 21-year-old, who graduated from FC Emmen’s development academy, was a regular in the team’s senior squad during the 2018–19 Eredivisie season.
He joined Dutch powerhouse Ajax in 2019 according to his accomplishments. However, during the 2020–21 season, Kjell Scherpen was able to make a few league appearances for Ajax.
He was acquired by Brighton And Hove Albion in the summer of 2021, an English premier league team. In the history of the Premier League, Kjell Scherpen is now the second-tallest soccer player.
14. Wout Weghorst
Wout Weghorst, a Dutch football player, plays for Beşiktaş in the Turkish Süper Lig and the Netherlands national team.
Weghorst has demonstrated his ability to hold up the play and head the ball well enough to serve as a “target man” while playing as a center-forward. Along with his ability to steal goals, he also has good box-to-box finishing skills.
15. Fraser Forster
In the Premier League, Fraser Forster is a well-known player. When he signed his first professional contract in 2005, at the age of 17, he joined Newcastle United. He remained with the club until 2012, although he was never able to make the senior team.
After a few loan transfers, he made a permanent move to Scottish powerhouse Celtic in 2012. He joined Southampton in the English Premier League in 2014 after capturing three straight Scottish championships. The veteran is this season’s tallest Premier League player, tied with Dan Burn.
16. Sasa Kalajdzic
Playing for the Austrian national team is Sasa Kalajdzic. He is the most recent addition to the EPL’s list of tallest players and now holds the title of tallest striker in all of Europe. The striker, who is 25 years old, is 200 cm (6 ft 7 in) tall.
The Austrian tore his ACL ligament on the day of his Wolverhampton Wanderers debut, keeping him out for the remainder of the campaign.
17. Paul Millar
For his time at Elgin City, Scottish forward Paul Millar is most known. The 2015–2016 season was his final campaign at Deveronvale. Additionally, Paul Leech-Flannigan, Millar’s birth name, is also used.
He was one of the tallest soccer players to quit fairly early in his career, but he was unfortunate to get a terrible cruciate knee ligament injury.
18. Tor Hogne Aaroy
Former forward Tor Hogne Aary left the game of professional football in 2014. Tor Hogne Aary was listed as the tallest soccer player in the 2015 FIFA video game. He played the majority of his games in Norway, primarily at Aalesund.
He also played for JEF United Chiba in the J2 League for a few seasons while living in Japan.
19. Oyvind Hoas
On our list of tallest football players from Norway is Oyvind Hoas. Hoas was a forward who played for a number of prestigious clubs in Norway, including Molde, Fredrikstad, Sarpsborg 08, and Honefoss.
The OBOS-ligaen, the second division of Norwegian soccer, is where Oyvind Hoas last competed for Kristiansund.
Hoas, who was 32 years old, announced his retirement at the end of the 2015 campaign.
20. Samuel Adeniran
In the US soccer pyramid, Samuel Adeniran is most likely the tallest forward. He began his career by playing for clubs in lower divisions in countries like Germany and Spain. In 2021, the 23-year-old joined Tacoma Defiance of the USL Championship.
Samuel Adeniran also spent a brief loan period with Seattle Sounders in 2021 and played in 2 MLS games because Tacoma Defiance serves as the team’s reserve team. He is presently scoring frequently while on loan to San Antonio FC for the 2022 season.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was the greatest football player ever?
In football history, who has received the most assists?
Who is the oldest footballer who is wealthy?
Who was the first football player to ever win the Ballon d’Or?
The first Ballon d’Or was won by Stanley Matthews of England. In the English language and most international media before 2007, the honor was commonly referred to as the Continental European Footballer of the Year award.
Does Pele have a Ballon d’Or?
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Conclusion
A ranking of the greatest players would almost certainly involve debates given the lengthy history of soccer.
Even though there will always be fans who prefer one player over another, the 20 players listed above all deserve accolades for their exceptional performance on the field.
Based on their performance both at home and abroad, these are the top 20 soccer players of all time. Success and game evolution only serve to further cement these people’s legacy.
References
- historyofsoccer.info/Tallest Soccer Player
- wonderslist.com/Top 20 Tallest Soccer Player of All-Time
- soccerprime.com/Tallest Soccer Players in the world
- sportsmonkie.com/Tallest soccer players
