The advantage of height in soccer can be significant, particularly in positions like goalkeeper and striker where physical dominance is crucial.
While taller players may sometimes lack the nimbleness of their shorter counterparts, they make up for it with aerial prowess and an imposing presence on the field. Here is a list of the top 10 tallest soccer players who have used their height to their advantage.
10. Peter Crouch (6’7″)
Peter Crouch, an English player known for his remarkable height, makes our list despite varying reports of his exact height. Standing at approximately 6’7″, Crouch is widely recognized as a talented big man. As a striker, he earned 42 caps for the English national team between 2005 and 2010, scoring 22 goals. His performance garnered attention from Liverpool, where he won the FA Cup in 2006 and was part of the team that reached the 2007 UEFA Champions League final. Crouch also played for Portsmouth and Tottenham Hotspur, helping the latter qualify for the UEFA Champions League. His Premier League stats are impressive: 467 matches, 106 goals, and 68 assists.
9. Jan Koller (6’8″)
Jan Koller, born on March 30, 1973, in Smetanova Lhota, Czechoslovakia, is a retired Czech footballer known for his exceptional height and goal-scoring ability. Standing at 6’8″, Koller primarily played as a striker, renowned for his aerial prowess. He began his professional career with Sparta Prague before making significant impacts at clubs like Lokeren and Anderlecht in Belgium, winning several league titles. At Borussia Dortmund, he became a fan favorite and helped the team secure a Bundesliga title in 2002. Koller earned over 90 caps for the Czech Republic, scoring 55 goals, making him the country’s all-time leading scorer.
8. Lacina Traoré (6’8″)
Lacina Traoré, born on August 20, 1990, in Abidjan, Ivory Coast, is a professional footballer known for his remarkable height. Standing at 6’8″, Traoré is one of the tallest outfield players in professional football. He began his career with Stade d’Abidjan before moving to CFR Cluj in Romania, where he won the Liga I and the Romanian Cup. Traoré’s talent led to transfers to clubs like FC Kuban Krasnodar, Anzhi Makhachkala, and AS Monaco. He also had loan spells with Everton, CSKA Moscow, and Sporting Gijón. Despite facing injury challenges, his height and strength have been significant assets.
7. Costel Pantilimon (6’8″)
Costel Pantilimon, born on February 1, 1987, in Bacău, Romania, is a professional footballer known for his impressive height and goalkeeping skills. Standing at 6’8″, Pantilimon is one of the tallest goalkeepers in professional football. He began his career with Aerostar Bacău and later joined Politehnica Timișoara. His performances caught the attention of Manchester City, where he joined in 2011 and was part of the squad that won the Premier League title in the 2011-2012 season. Pantilimon later played for Sunderland, Watford, and had loan spells with Deportivo La Coruña and Nottingham Forest.
6. Jason Mooney (6’9″)
Jason Mooney, a Northern Irish goalkeeper, had a notable career in Ireland. Standing at 6’9″, Mooney provided a commanding presence for several Irish sides. At his peak, he spent the 2011-2012 season on loan at Oxford City of the Southern League Premier Division, helping the team win promotion with a playoff victory over AFC Totton.
5. Kyle Hudlin (6’9″)
Kyle Hudlin, a British-born striker, is a valued commodity at 6’9″. At just 23 years old, Hudlin combines youth and height, which studies have shown can contribute to success in soccer. He played for Burton Albion on loan from EFL Championship club Huddersfield Town and is expected to rejoin Huddersfield in May 2024. Hudlin joined Huddersfield from National League side Solihull Moors, where he scored 15 goals in 62 matches.
4. Vanja Iveša (6’9″)
Vanja Iveša, a Croatian goalkeeper, showcased that tall players can maintain consistency well into their late athletic stages. Iveša remained active in professional soccer past his 44th birthday, demonstrating remarkable longevity in his career.
3. Jacob Samnik (6’9″)
Jacob Samnik, an American-born goalkeeper from Atlanta, Georgia, signed with a Romanian club in 2019. Standing at 6’9″, Samnik’s height made a notable impact, although his signing was seen by some as a publicity stunt. Nonetheless, his towering presence puts him high on the list of the tallest soccer players ever.
2. Kristof Van Hout (6’10”)
Kristof Van Hout, a Belgian goalkeeper, stands at an impressive 6’10”. Van Hout played at the top level of Belgian soccer and had a stint with K.R.C. Genk, participating in seven Europa League matches. From 2015 to 2022, he played for K.V.C. Westerlo in Belgium’s First Division A.
1. Simon Bloch Jørgensen (6’11”)
Simon Bloch Jørgensen, a Danish goalkeeper, is widely accepted as the tallest soccer player ever, standing at 6’11”. Jørgensen, who turns 32 in September 2024, has played for various clubs, including Waltham Abbey FC and Frem in Denmark. His extraordinary height sets him apart as a unique figure in professional soccer.
These towering athletes have demonstrated that height can be a significant advantage in soccer, particularly in key positions like goalkeeper and striker. While they may face challenges in agility, their physical presence and aerial ability make them formidable opponents on the field.
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