Soccer does not have the same advantages as other sports, but height does not give you the same advantage. Some top soccer players have enjoyed much success due to their height. They have been able to maximize their strengths, which has allowed them to play at a higher level.
These 15 tallest soccer players are playing at a professional level. Many of these players play in goal, the position that most benefits from height. Some field players, however, have towered above their opponents.
1. Peter Crouch – 6’7’’ / 201cm
While this list won’t include all the household names, it does contain some notable players. The 40-year-old star performer has performed at the highest level all his career. He just finished his career playing almost exclusively in English Premier League. He stood 6’7″ tall and was an impressive opponent.
His unique playing style is evident. He used his ability to get a good first touch on shots and passes. He was solid despite being relatively slim. Many tall field players worldwide were inspired by Peter Crouch, who showed they could achieve success at the highest levels.
2. Even Iversen – 6’8” / 203cm
Although height can be seen as an advantage sometimes, Iversen may have felt it has limited him in specific ways. He has never been an explosive defender, and this has kept him in relative safety as a Norwegian professional player. Although he has had some success, he has not been called to larger European clubs.
3. Lacina Traore 6’8’/203cm
It’s easy to see why this forward is called the Big Tree. Although he has 13 caps for his country, the Ivory Coast native is primarily a club player. Monaco was his most memorable club stint, but he has had a long career despite only being 31 years old. He’s not only tall but also a powerful player that can cause matchup nightmares. Because of his physicality, he can be particularly deadly in the box. His height gives him an advantage in headers, and his athleticism assists with that.
4. Kjell Petter Opheim – 6’8″ / 203cm
Although he hasn’t reached the top of the domestic league play, the Norwegian goalkeeper has made a good name for himself. He is now 39 years old, and his prime days are over, but he still wants to make a difference in other ways. Because he has long arms, it is almost impossible for goals to score if he is correctly positioned.
5. Costel Pantilimon – 6’8” / 203cm
Costel Pantilimon has been the Romanian national team’s goalkeeper for 27 matches. His height and reach have also allowed him to enjoy a successful run at the club level. He might not be the most athletic goalkeeper, but he does the job well and can handle a lot of balls. Although he is starting to show his age, most people feel he still has some solid years ahead of him.
6. Jason Mooney – 6’8.5″ 204cm
Jason Mooney has not had any professional success, but his height and ability in the net have helped him keep his professional dreams alive. He has reached League One at the highest level and is now playing for Tranmere and making a few appearances. As a result, he is mainly a backup player.
7. Yang Changpeng – 6’8.5″ / 205cm
Although there are many reports about his height, the Chinese soccer player has been very well-respected for his ability to play on the field. China’s Peter Crouch has been given his nickname because he’s nearly the same height as the English legend. Changpeng is a free agent and has not reached an elite level of play, despite a one-month trial with Bolton. His professional career is ending as he’s a free agent. Being a field player at this height is extremely difficult for a player to maintain his body, so his prime seems a little shorter than others.
8. Tor Hogne Aaroy 6’8.5’/204cm
Tor Hogne Aaron started his soccer career in 1985 as a forward for several clubs in Norway. His entire career was spent in his homeland, with 242 career appearances in the Norwegian First Division. His 90 goals during this stretch showed his versatility and ability to play up front.
9. Tonny Brogaard – 6’9” / 206cm
The Gentle Giant, a man known for his great promise, lived up to it during his prime. He was not able to put together anything. He had a poor career, despite his potential and agility. Many believed that he would revolutionize the goalkeeper role at 6’9″ tall. He could never keep his health and be consistent enough to make this happen.
10. Daniel Muller – 6’9” / 205cm
Although he didn’t have a memorable career, his height enabled him to become a professional goalkeeper for some clubs in Germany. Bayern Munich was attracted to his height and skill when he was younger. However, he never was able to receive consistent playing time with lower-level teams in this system. He played in the fourth-tier German soccer league, Augsburg II.
11. Vanja Ivesa – 6’9” / 206cm
Vendrell, a Croatian goalkeeper, is still playing professionally despite his age of 44. His solid goalkeeping skills helped him find work in many different leagues. Although he is no longer in his prime, he has proven that he can still get things done consistently to start matches.
12. Tomas Holy – 6’9’’ / 206cm
Czech goalkeeper Tomas Holy, 6’9″, is just starting another year for Ipswich Town in third-tier English football. He has been a very productive goalkeeper throughout his career. However, he hadn’t lived up to some people’s expectations when he was younger. He was once considered the future goalkeeper for the Czech Republic, but he hadn’t played since 2009 when he was part of the U18 team. He is still a goalkeeper and can be a strong force when locked down.
13. Paul Millar – 6’10” / 208cm
Paul Millar could have been a long-term professional player if not for the many injuries he sustained during his career. For most of Millar’s career, Elgin was his team in Scottish League Two. He was 6’10”, the tallest player in the league then, and the tallest in the entire world. After sustaining injuries, his speed began to drop to the point that it was tough for him to compete.