Christiano Ronaldo stands six foot four inches tall as the list of tall men in modern football – Thierry Henry, Patrick Viera, Didier Drodgba, Michael Ballack – continues to grow.
But as professional football gets faster at the elite level, and more and more technical, isn’t it wonderful to see Lionel Messi, Xavi Hernandes, and Andres Iniesta, the smallest of the small, controlling the biggest game in domestic sport, the European Champions League Final.
You can kick them, tackle them, or try and break their leg, as United’s little fellow Paul Scholes did, but there is something wonderful about seeing the little fellas passing and moving at such a rate that they make a great United side look … well like Middlesboro!
So when you’re out around your sports fields and see a strapping thirteen or fourteen year old bulldozing his way through on goal, take a look at the player with all the skill and have a quiet word.
Tell him his day will come because, in football, the final today showed that once again the little fella can win.
David V.
Guest
Archie Gemmill, Gordon Cowans, Gianfranco Zola, Diego Maradona anybody????
Dario Simpatico
Guest
C Ronaldo is 6 ft 1. Lumping Henry, Ballack, Drogba, and Viera into the same category is a bit ridiculous. They all play very different types of game. The great thing about football is that there are many different body shapes and heights that can make is professionally. Crouch, Rooney, del piero, Toni, J S Park. The little v bigman is not as important as the quality of the individual and how he maximises his talent. Even Cannavaro, short for a centre back, was in his prime one of the worlds greatests.
Midfielder
Guest
It's basic physics the lower you are to the ground the lower your center of gravity and your ability to turn / balance and quickness of the mark.. but you lose out in strength and speed ... Balance combined with speed creates an awesome player ... interesting topic will add a bit more latter.
Michael
Guest
I'm pretty sure Ronaldo is 6'1". But it was great to see the "pint-sized" playmakers dominate in the final!
whiskeymac
Guest
fabreas aint that big either. or rooney. seem to be a few exceptions out there!
The Bear
Guest
Zullo has got a powerful head on him too.
whiskeymac
Guest
and for us cahill is a great header-er of the ball... maradonna, pele, beardsley etc were all short ars#s. must be something to do with centre of gravity and balance. always room in football for small and tall. and the fat kid gets stuck in goal.
The Bear
Guest
LOL, Messi rising to put his head on that second goal. Height IS no obstacle!!