Yes, Messi is 1 in a billion — an outlier, not the standard.

The average height in Europe’s top 5 leagues is around 1.82m, and it’s not just about height — it’s strength, build, and power. Our taller players? Often skinny and lack core strength.
Football at the top level is a contact sport, and we’re starting at a physical disadvantage.

Even Japan — highly skilled and fast — still struggle physically against the elite teams. They’ve made up for it with insane work ethic, tactical discipline, and a footballing culture that pushes players from young.

So while skills and speed are important, physical strength can often be the difference when the margins are tight. And that’s something we still haven’t caught up on.

They 1.70 m tall pun. You see their body structure wonot?

That Imano Machuca eventhough a midget at 1.7m, his body is quite big like wombat one.