When creating the team, the goal was to find the best vertically challenged players in the world, preferably under 1.70m. For the most part I was able to fulfill both requirements, yet there were certain situations, in the defense and goalkeeping positions, that required me to ignore the goal of 1.70m. So, without further adieu, the shortest, qualified, XI in the world.
Goalkeeper
This was the toughest spot to fill, as there is not a single relevant goal keeper below the requisite mark of 1.69m. Jeremie Janot, who has filled in between the posts for Le Mans for sixteen years, gets the nod at 1.76m
Defense
This also proved tough, however I had slightly better luck here. Both fullbacks come in right at 1.70m, where both centre-halves are slightly over. In the fullbacks department, both Leighton Baines and Philipp Lahm are world class additions. Jordi Alba also checks in at 1.70m, but I opted for the more defensive minded of the bunch in what is an attacking minded squad. When thinking of names of great, shorter, central defenders, Fabio Cannavaro comes to mind yet even he stood 1.76m tall. Therefore, the duo of Carles Puyol and Facundo Roncaglia of Fiorentina who stand 1.78 and 1.75m respectively, are about as short as they come.
Holding Midfielders
While the holding midfield lacks bite (most of the more defensive minded holding mids, and destroyers are much taller), there will be no lack of creativity when it comes to Santi Cazorla and Marco Verratti. Both masters of the pass, the diminutive maestros, standing 1.64 and 1.65m respectfully, will have no problem aiding the speedy line of attacking mids, despite the smaller targets. Jay Spearing was brought into consideration here as more defensive-minded player, but I opted for talent over role in hopes that the incredible ball-possession of the team will win out.
Attacking Midfielders
There was no lack of talent at this spot, as it was a tight race for the two places alongside Lio Messi (1.69m). In the end, Mathieu Valbuena and Emanuele Giaccherini (both 1.67m), the articles brainchild, get the nod, while Aaron Lennon, Bernard, and Lorenzo Insigne were relegated to the bench. While Giaccherini certainly doesn't have the upside as Insigne or Bernard, his current form certainly warrants a starting spot.
Striker
There was some contention for this spot as well, as some websites had Carlos Tevez on the inclusive side of 1.70m, but ultimately I had to go with the players who were batting 1.000, and Jermaine Defoe and Sebastian Giovinco take the cake here, with the lone starting spot going to Defoe as he is a slightly more well-rounded player, although an argument could certainly be made for the diminutive Italian.
---------Jeremie Janot----------
Lahm--Puyol--Roncaglia -- Baines
----- Cazorla------Verratti ------
Valbuena ----- Messi ----- Giaccherini
---------------- Defoe ----------------
Bench: Sebastian Giovinco (1.64m), Lorenzo Insigne (1.63m), Aaron Lennon (1.65m), Jay Spearing (1.68m), Bernard (1.64m), Jordi Alba (1.70m), Fabrizio Miccoli (1.68m)
Even the shortest place on this list, Lorenzo Insigne, possesses the potential to make him one of the best players in world, while Lahm, Messi, and Puyol are some of (or the absolute, in Messi's case) best in the world at their positions. While football is the one sport that has always allowed shorter players to hold their own, this is a squad that could compete in any of Europe's top five leagues, and sheds new light on the success of the short footballer.