The Shortest Female Soccer Players In The World

When you picture a soccer player, chances are height comes to mind as an asset — maybe an intimidating center-back towering over the field or a goalkeeper with an extensive reach.

Soccer is a sport that celebrates diversity, including in the wide range of body types and sizes of its players. Some of the world’s most successful female soccer players have defied height expectations, proving that skill, speed, and intelligence are often more critical than inches.

Today, we’re taking a look at five of the shortest female soccer players in history.

1. Crystal Alyssia Soubrier – 5’0″

Starting with the shortest of the bunch, Crystal Alyssia Soubrier stands at just 5 feet tall, making her one of the shortest female soccer players to compete at an elite level.

Playing for the Portland Thorns FC in the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL), Soubrier is the ultimate example of resilience and resourcefulness in a sport that often prioritizes physicality and height.

You’d think her smaller stature would be a hindrance right? Not for Soubrier. Her height, rather than being a setback, has actually enabled her to develop a unique style of play.

She relies heavily on agility, quick thinking, and clever positioning, allowing her to navigate around bigger opponents and avoid physical confrontations that could put her at a disadvantage.

Her low center of gravity also improves her balance, making her highly effective in one-on-one situations and giving her an edge when dribbling through traffic.

2. Nahomi Kawasumi – 5’1″ (155 cm)

Nahomi Kawasumi is not only one of the shortest players in women’s soccer but also one of the most technically skilled.

Standing at just 5’1″, she’s been a staple of the Japanese women’s national team and has spent much of her club career in the U.S. with teams like the Seattle Reign (now OL Reign) and NJ/NY Gotham FC.

She rose to international fame when Japan won the 2011 FIFA Women’s World Cup. She was a dynamic force in Japan’s lineup, known for her deft footwork, ability to create space out of thin air, and keen eye for threading passes that dissect defenses.

She’s the type of player who thrives in tight spaces, which comes in handy when weaving through defenders.

3. María José Rojas – 5’1”

Also known as Coté, is another dynamo in a small package. At 5’1”, Rojas is one of Chile’s most prominent female soccer players.

She has represented Chile at the international level and has played in several leagues around the world, including stints in the United States, Germany, Japan, and New Zealand.

Rojas is a forward with an impressive goal-scoring record, and her small size makes her incredibly nimble. She uses her quickness to find pockets of space, creating scoring opportunities where others might struggle.

Despite facing opponents who often tower over her, Rojas has developed a reputation for being fearless. Her ability to slip through defenses, combined with her deadly accuracy in front of goal, has made her an asset to every team she’s played for.

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4. Kellie Pickett – 5’2″

Kellie Pickett might not be as well-known as some of the others on this list, but her impact on the field is undeniable.

At 5 feet 2 inches, she has had to adapt her playing style to compete against taller and often physically stronger opponents. That hasn’t stopped her from shining as one of the most versatile players in the league.

Her game revolves around speed and technical skills. Her agility allows her to make sharp, quick turns, giving her an advantage when facing defenders one-on-one.

She’s known for her precise ball control and ability to maintain possession even when surrounded.

Coaches and analysts have often praised her for her “spatial intelligence” — an intuitive understanding of where her teammates are and where she needs to position herself to create scoring opportunities or defend effectively.

5. Shirley Cruz – 5’2”

If you’ve ever watched her play, you know that she’s a force to be reckoned with.

The Costa Rican dynamo has had a long and illustrious career, particularly in the French Division 1 Féminine, where she became one of the few Costa Rican players to make a mark in European women’s soccer.

Known for her role as a central midfielder, Cruz’s game is all about control, strategy, and the relentless pursuit of the ball.

Cruz has a keen sense of positioning that allows her to make the most of her height, maneuvering herself in the midfield to disrupt opposing play and initiate attacks.

Her low center of gravity makes her extremely hard to dispossess, and her stamina enables her to chase down the ball for the full 90 minutes.

Cruz is a workhorse, proving that smaller players are often the hardest to catch on the field.

6. Yuki Nagasato – 5’3″

Yuki might stand slightly taller than the others here, at 5 feet 3 inches, but she has also had to overcome perceptions about her height in order to reach the top.

Playing for the Japanese National Team and club teams like the Chicago Red Stars, Nagasato is known for her creativity on the ball and her clinical finishing abilities.

As a forward, she doesn’t fit the mold of a tall, towering striker, but her contributions are no less effective.

She has compensated for her lack of height with an impeccable first touch, incredible vision, and the ability to exploit gaps in defensive lines with precision passes.

Her smaller stature has arguably helped her avoid the attention that taller players often attract from defenders, enabling her to make dangerous runs and find space.

7. Shannon MacMillan – 5’4″

She might be the tallest player on this list, but compared to the average height of professional female soccer players, she still sits on the shorter side.

MacMillan was an integral part of the U.S. Women’s National Team, and her time on the team helped propel the U.S. to the heights of the women’s soccer world, including winning the 1999 Women’s World Cup and the 1996 Olympic gold.

She was never a towering figure on the field, but her tenacity and knack for scoring goals made her stand out. Her speed and positioning allowed her to anticipate plays and exploit defenses, and she was always a reliable asset in the attack.

She had a powerful shot and an uncanny ability to find space, even when surrounded by taller defenders.

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How Height Impacts the Game of Soccer

Soccer is a game that welcomes players of all body types.

While taller players often have an advantage in certain areas, such as aerial duels or defensive positioning, shorter players tend to excel in agility, balance, and speed.

This unique combination allows teams to utilize a mix of heights and skill sets, creating a dynamic and versatile squad.

For example, goalkeepers and defenders benefit from height, midfielders and forwards often leverage speed and maneuverability.

Smaller players can capitalize on their low center of gravity to dodge tackles and create space, while taller players dominate in headers and goalkeeping.

A Takeaway for Future Soccer Stars

If you’re a young player who doesn’t fit the mold, don’t worry! These athletes prove that height isn’t a barrier to success. Keep honing your skills, focus on your strengths, and take inspiration from these shorter stars who’ve left an undeniable mark on the game.

They’ve shown us that soccer is about heart and skill, not just physical attributes.

The next time you watch a soccer game, look out for the shorter players. Notice how they move, how they create opportunities, and how they make the game their own. They’re redefining what it means to be an athlete in a way that’s inspiring and game-changing.

To every aspiring player out there: embrace your unique attributes, whatever they are.