Soccer is a sport that requires a lot of skills, such as speed, agility, stamina, technique, and vision. However, sometimes, height can also be an advantage, especially for certain positions, such as goalkeeper, defender, and forward. Height can help a player to reach higher balls, win aerial duels, and intimidate opponents. In this article, we will look at the top 16 tallest soccer players ever, who have used their height to excel in their careers.
16. Jhon Chancellor – 1.97 m (6 ft 5.5 in) – Defender
Jhon Carlos Chancellor Cedeño is a Venezuelan professional footballer who plays as a center-back for the Liga MX club Necaxa. He was born on January 2, 1992, in Puerto Ordaz, Venezuela. Chancellor has also played for various other clubs, including Zagłębie Lubin, Coritiba, and Al Ahli. He has represented the Venezuela national team as well. Standing at 1.97 meters, he is known for his imposing presence in defense. As of the 2023/24 season, his market value is €400,000.
15. Peter Crouch – 2.01 m (6 ft 7 in) – Forward
Peter Crouch is a former English forward who played for many clubs, such as Liverpool, Tottenham Hotspur, Stoke City, and Portsmouth. He was also a regular member of the England national team, scoring 22 goals in 42 caps. He was famous for his height, which made him a formidable target man and a prolific scorer of headers. He holds the record for the most headed goals in the Premier League, with 53. He also had a trademark celebration, where he would perform a robotic dance. He retired in 2019, after scoring over 200 goals in his career.
14. Jan Koller – 2.02 m (6 ft 7.5 in) – Forward
Jan Koller is a former Czech forward who played for several clubs, such as Borussia Dortmund, Monaco, and Anderlecht. He was also a key player for the Czech Republic national team, scoring 55 goals in 91 caps. He was renowned for his height, which made him a dominant striker and a nightmare for defenders. He was also a skillful player, who could dribble, pass, and shoot with both feet. He retired in 2011, after winning several trophies and awards in his career.
13. Zeljko Kalac – 2.02 m (6 ft 7.5 in) – Goalkeeper
Zeljko Kalac is a former Australian goalkeeper who played for many clubs, such as AC Milan, Perugia, and Roda JC. He was also a part of the Australian national team, earning 54 caps. He was nicknamed “Spider” for his height, which helped him to cover a large area of the goal. He was also a reliable and experienced keeper, who won several titles and honors in his career. He retired in 2009, after playing over 500 games in his career.
12. Stefan Maierhofer – 2.02 m (6 ft 7.5 in) – Forward
Stefan Maierhofer is an Austrian forward who currently plays for SV Mattersburg. He has also played for other clubs, such as Wolverhampton Wanderers, Rapid Wien, and Millwall. He has also represented the Austria national team, scoring two goals in 18 caps. He is known for his height, which makes him a dangerous threat in the air and a useful outlet for long balls. He is also a hard-working and physical player, who can hold up the ball and create chances for his teammates.
11. Nikola Žigic – 2.02 m (6 ft 7.5 in) – Forward
Nikola Žigic is a former Serbian forward who played for many clubs, such as Valencia, Birmingham City, and Red Star Belgrade. He was also a regular member of the Serbia national team, scoring 20 goals in 57 caps. He was famous for his height, which made him a lethal finisher and a master of headers. He was also a skillful and intelligent player, who could link up with his teammates and score from different angles. He retired in 2017, after scoring over 150 goals in his career.
10. Costel Pantilimon – 2.03 m (6 ft 8 in) – Goalkeeper
Costel Pantilimon is a Romanian goalkeeper who currently plays for Denizlispor. He has also played for other clubs, such as Manchester City, Sunderland, and Watford. He has also been a part of the Romania national team, earning 29 caps. He is known for his height, which makes him a commanding and confident keeper. He is also a agile and reflexive keeper, who can make spectacular saves and deny opponents.
9. Øyvind Hoås – 2.03 m (6 ft 8 in) – Striker
Øyvind Hoås is a former Norwegian forward who played for several clubs, such as Molde, Fredrikstad, and Hødd. He was also a part of the Norway national team, making one appearance. He was known for his height, which made him a formidable striker and a specialist of set-pieces. He was also a versatile player, who could play as a center-forward, a winger, or a midfielder. He retired in 2017, after scoring over 100 goals in his career.
8. Even Iversen – 2.03 m (6 ft 8 in) – Centre-Back
Even Iversen is a former Norwegian defender who played for several clubs, such as Rosenborg, Viking, and Start. He was also a part of the Norway national team, making four appearances. He was known for his height, which made him a solid and strong defender. He was also a good passer and a leader, who could organize and motivate his teammates. He retired in 2013, after winning several titles and cups in his career.
7. Kjell Petter Opheim – 2.03 m (6 ft 8 in) – Goalkeeper
Kjell Petter Opheim is a former Norwegian goalkeeper who played for several clubs, such as Brann, Sogndal, and Hønefoss. He was also a part of the Norway national team, making two appearances. He was known for his height, which made him a imposing and brave keeper. He was also a consistent and reliable keeper, who could make crucial saves and keep clean sheets. He retired in 2012, after playing over 300 games in his career.
6. Lacina Traoré – 2.03 m (6 ft 8 in) – Forward
Lacina Traoré is an Ivorian forward who currently plays for CFR Cluj. He has also played for other clubs, such as Monaco, Everton, and Anzhi Makhachkala. He has also represented the Ivory Coast national team, scoring four goals in 14 caps. He is known for his height, which makes him a powerful and unstoppable striker. He is also a fast and skillful player, who can dribble, shoot, and score with both feet.
5. Tor Hogne Aarøy – 2.04 m (6 ft 8.5 in) – Centre-Forward
Tor Hogne Aarøy is a former Norwegian forward who played for several clubs, such as Aalesund, JEF United, and Sogndal. He was also a part of the Norway national team, making one appearance. He was known for his height, which made him a unique and remarkable striker. He was also a technical and creative player, who could score spectacular goals and assist his teammates. He retired in 2015, after scoring over 100 goals in his career.
4. Vanja Ivesa – 2.05 m (6 ft 8.5 in) – Goalkeeper
Vanja Ivesa is a former Croatian goalkeeper who played for many clubs, such as Eskişehirspor, Osijek, and Hapoel Tel Aviv. He was also a part of the Croatia national team, making one appearance. He was known for his height, which made him a towering and intimidating keeper. He was also a agile and reflexive keeper, who could make stunning saves and distribute the ball well.
3. Yang Changpeng – 2.05 m (6 ft 8.5 in) – Forward
Yang Changpeng is a Chinese forward who currently plays for Beijing BSU. He has also played for other clubs, such as Bolton Wanderers, Liaoning FC, and Guizhou Zhicheng. He has also represented the China national team, scoring one goal in six caps. He is known for his height, which makes him a rare and exceptional striker. He is also a athletic and talented player, who can score with his head and his feet.
2. Kristof Van Hout – 2.08 m (6 ft 10 in) – Goalkeeper
Kristof Van Hout is a Belgian goalkeeper who currently plays for Westerlo. He has also played for other clubs, such as Standard Liège, Delhi Dynamos, and Kortrijk. He has also been a part of the Belgium national team, making one appearance. He is known for his height, which makes him the tallest soccer player ever. He is also a commanding and confident keeper, who can dominate his area and catch high balls.
1. Simon Bloch Jorgensen – 2.10 m (6 ft 10.5 in) – Goalkeeper
Simon Bloch Jorgensen is a Danish goalkeeper who currently plays for Fremad Amager. He has also played for other clubs, such as Brøndby, FC Copenhagen, and FC Nordsjælland. He has also been a part of the Denmark national team, making one appearance. He is known for his height, which makes him the tallest soccer player ever. He is also a agile and reflexive keeper, who can make amazing saves and kick the ball far. He is also a calm and composed keeper, who can handle pressure and make good decisions.
These are the top 16 tallest soccer players ever, who have used their height to their advantage and achieved great success in their careers. They have also inspired and amazed many fans and players with their skills and abilities. They have shown that height can be a valuable asset in soccer, as long as it is combined with other qualities, such as technique, speed, and vision. They have also proven that soccer is a diverse and inclusive sport, where players of different sizes and shapes can excel and shine.
