In Reply to: Best soccer player in world? 5-7, 148 pounds posted by ClockBlocker on July 27, 2026 at 12:19:07
Messi isn't great because he is little, he's great because he is Messi.
In general the trend in club football at the elite level is for teams to get bigger. Bigger defenders and forwards, and usually at least one midfielder. The players still have to be skilled, but size is a big advantage in set pieces and aerial duels.
The prototypical striker is Erling Haaland who is 6-5. Rodri was the FIFA World Cup player of the tournament, past Balloon d'or player. Declan Rice is 6'4" as well. Centerbacks like Gabriel Marghaeles, Saliba, Bastoni, Van Dyke are 6-3 or taller. Fullbacks getting bigger too to match up better with big strikers.
American Football and basketball are not the typical body types that would thrive in European football, with some exceptions, guards in hoops and skill positions in football. Agility is prized over sheer size, but some positions do have players that fit profiles. A lot of baseball players have those skills.