Football Players Average Height & Weight by Position

Physical build plays an important role in football, but its importance varies widely by position. While certain roles favor height, strength, or mass, football history shows that technical ability and tactical intelligence often outweigh “ideal” physical stats. This article breaks down the average height and weight of football players by position, explores ideal body ranges, highlights players who succeeded despite not fitting the physical mold, and compares league-level trends across world football.

To avoid misleading conclusions, it’s important to clarify how body measurements are used in football analysis:

Heights and weights are based on official data
Averages reflect top-level players
“Ideal” stats represent common positional trends, not requirements

Footballers By Position: Average Height & Weight

Position	Avg Height (cm)	Avg Height (ft/in)	Avg Weight (kg)	Avg Weight (lbs)	Typical Body Profile
Goalkeepers	188–193	6’2″–6’4″	82–92	181–203	Tall, long reach, strong upper body
Centre-Backs	183–190	6’0″–6’3″	78–88	172–194	Tall, powerful, aerially dominant
Full-Backs	170–180	5’7″–5’11”	65–75	143–165	Compact, agile, high stamina
Defensive Midfielders	175–185	5’9″–6’1″	70–80	154–176	Balanced, strong core, mobile
Central Midfielders	168–178	5’6″–5’10”	65–75	143–165	Lean, agile, low center of gravity
Attacking Midfielders	168–178	5’6″–5’10”	64–74	141–163	Lightweight, quick
Wingers	168–178	5’6″–5’10”	65–75	143–165	Explosive, speed-focused build
Strikers / Forwards	175–188	5’9″–6’2″	72–85	159–187	Role-dependent

Goalkeepers:

Average height: 188–193 cm (6’2″–6’4″)
Average weight: 82–92 kg (181–203 lbs)

Ideal Physical Profile

Tall frame for reach and aerial coverage
Broad wingspan
Strong upper body and core

Goalkeepers are usually the tallest players on the pitch, as height directly impacts their shot-stopping range.

Players Who Defied the Ideal

Iker Casillas – Shorter than modern goalkeeper averages, but relied on reflexes and positioning.

Does size matter here?

Yes, more than in any other position. Height and reach increase coverage of the goal frame.

Centre-Backs:

Average height: 183–190 cm (6’0″–6’3″)
Average weight: 78–88 kg (172–194 lbs)

Ideal Physical Profile

Tall, strong frame
Aerial dominance

Centre-backs benefit from size when defending crosses and get into duels.

Players Who Defied the Ideal

Fabio Cannavaro – Below-average height, exceptional timing

Does size matter here?

Size is beneficial but not essential. Positioning and anticipation often matter more.

Full-Backs (Left-Back / Right-Back):

Average height: 170–180 cm (5’7″–5’11”)
Average weight: 65–75 kg (143–165 lbs)

Ideal Physical Profile

Compact, agile build
High stamina

Modern full-backs prioritize mobility over size.

Players Who Defied the Ideal

Roberto Carlos – Short, powerful, explosive

Does size matter here?

Very little. Full-backs rely more on acceleration, stamina, and agility than height or mass.

Defensive Midfielders:

Average height: 175–185 cm (5’9″–6’1″)
Average weight: 70–80 kg (154–176 lbs)

Ideal Physical Profile

Balanced strength
Core stability

Defensive midfielders act as physical and tactical anchors.

Players Who Defied the Ideal

N’Golo Kanté – Undersized but unmatched stamina

Does size matter here?

Moderately. Strength helps in duels, but mobility and endurance play a greater role.

Central & Attacking Midfielders:

Average height: 168–178 cm (5’6″–5’10”)
Average weight: 65–75 kg (143–165 lbs)

Ideal Physical Profile

Low center of gravity
Agility and balance

Players Who Defied the Ideal

Xavi – Small frame, elite control

Does size matter here?

Minimal impact. Balance, ball control, and decision-making outweigh physical dimensions.

Wingers:

Average height: 168–178 cm (5’6″–5’10”)
Average weight: 65–75 kg (143–165 lbs)

Ideal Physical Profile

Light, explosive frame
Speed-focused build

Players Who Defied the Ideal

Gareth Bale – Taller, more powerful winger

Does size matter here?

Speed, acceleration, and directional change are far more important than height or weight.

Strikers / Forwards:

Average height: 175–188 cm (5’9″–6’2″)
Average weight: 72–85 kg (159–187 lbs)

Ideal Physical Profile

Depends on striker type:

Target men: Tall, strong
Poachers: Compact, agile
False 9s: Lean, technical

Players Who Defied the Ideal

Lionel Messi – Short, low center of gravity

Does size matter here?

It depends on the role. Taller strikers benefit in aerial play, while shorter forwards often excel through movement and quick finishing. There is no universal ideal.

How Tall and Heavy Are the Best Footballers in the World?

Elite footballers span a wide physical range:

Cristiano Ronaldo – Tall, powerful, aerially dominant
Lionel Messi – Short, low center of gravity, balance-based
Erling Haaland – Extremely tall and strong modern striker
Kevin De Bruyne – Balanced midfielder frame

Average Height & Weight of Female Footballers by Position

Female footballers show clear positional trends, but with slightly narrower ranges than men’s football. Agility, endurance, and balance play an even larger role across most positions.

Female Footballers Position-Based Comparison:

Position	Avg Height (cm)	Avg Height (ft/in)	Avg Weight (kg)	Avg Weight (lbs)	Typical Body Profile
Goalkeepers	170–178	5’7″–5’10”	65–75	143–165	Tall, strong upper body, long reach
Centre-Backs	168–176	5’6″–5’9″	62–72	137–159	Solid frame
Full-Backs	160–168	5’3″–5’6″	55–65	121–143	Compact, agile, high stamina
Defensive Midfielders	165–172	5’5″–5’8″	58–68	128–150	Balanced strength and mobility
Central Midfielders	160–170	5’3″–5’7″	55–65	121–143	Lean, agile
Attacking Midfielders	160–170	5’3″–5’7″	54–64	119–141	Lightweight
Wingers	160–170	5’3″–5’7″	55–65	121–143	Speed-focused
Strikers / Forwards	165–175	5’5″–5’9″	60–70	132–154	Role-dependent (physical vs mobile)