How Tall Is Lionel Messi Compared to Other World Cup Players?

Updated July 19, 2026, 2:40 p.m. ET

Editor’s note: You can follow our LIVE Argentina vs Spain World Cup final updates here.

The Shortest and Tallest Players in the 2026 World Cup

Imagine a big soccer tournament where players come in all shapes and sizes. In the 2026 World Cup (a huge soccer competition held every four years), the players’ heights were very different:

• The shortest player was Panama’s winger (a player who runs on the side) César Yanis, who is 5 feet 3 inches tall.
• The tallest player was Austria’s goalkeeper (the player who guards the net) Florian Wiegele, who is 6 feet 9 inches tall.

Where Does Messi Fit In?

You might wonder: how tall is the famous player Lionel Messi?

• Messi is 5 feet 7 inches tall (that’s about 1.7 meters).
• This makes him one of the shortest — maybe even the shortest — player on the field in almost every game he plays.

Important Point: Messi almost didn’t grow to be the greatest soccer player ever. When he was 11 years old, he was only 4 feet 4 inches tall and found out he had a growth hormone deficiency (his body had trouble making him grow). He had painful and expensive treatments to help him reach his current height.

Even at 5 feet 7 inches, Messi is 2 inches taller than another Argentina soccer legend he is often compared to: Diego Maradona.

Is Messi the Shortest Player on Argentina’s World Cup Roster?

No, he is not the only one that short on his team.

• Messi is one of four Argentina players at this World Cup who are 5 feet 7 inches.
• The others are:
  • Midfielder (a player in the middle of the field) Valentin Barco
  • Midfielder Thiago Almada
  • Forward (a player who tries to score) Julián Álvarez

Who Is the Tallest Player on Argentina’s World Cup Roster?

The tallest player on Argentina’s team is:

• Goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez, who is 6 feet 5 inches tall.

For players who run on the field (not the goalkeeper):

• Three are 6 feet 1 inch tall:
  • Defenders (players who protect their goal) Cristian Romero and Marcos Senesi
  • Midfielder Nico Paz

Summary

In the 2026 World Cup, player heights ranged from 5’3" to 6’9". Lionel Messi is 5’7", which is short for a soccer player but still 2 inches taller than Maradona. He is one of four Argentina players at that height, while the tallest on his team is goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez at 6’5". Messi’s height was not guaranteed—he needed medical treatment as a child to grow.

FAQ

1. How tall is Lionel Messi?
Messi is 5 feet 7 inches tall, or about 1.7 meters.

2. Was Messi always going to be that tall?
No. As a child, he had a growth hormone deficiency and needed treatment to reach his height.

3. Who is the tallest player on Argentina’s 2026 World Cup team?
Goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez, who is 6 feet 5 inches tall.

4. Is Messi the shortest player on his team?
No. He is one of four Argentina players who are 5 feet 7 inches.