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Even though stature is not a decisive factor in modern football, we cannot deny the fact that tall, intimidating players are indeed an asset for their respective teams.
While we realize a certain talented midfielder or forward can overcome his diminutive stature with the skillsets he possesses, we've also got to admit that the same can't often be the case if that player is a defender or a goalkeeper.
Height comes into question while addressing a lot of factors. Be it aerial abilities, intimidating the opposition or using physicality during the game, it certainly provides an edge.
The likes of Cristiano Ronaldo, Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Gianluigi Buffon, among others, are some of such players who have dominated the game with a combination of their skills and stature.
Former Stoke City striker Peter Crouch is the first name that comes to mind after hearing the term 'tall player'. Surprisingly, despite standing at a staggering 2.01 meters tall, he didn't make it to our list of tallest players to ever play the sport.
Find out below about some of the tallest players ever to play football. The criteria being — the player must have had a decent number of professional appearances for club and/or country. Without further ado, here are the
5 tallest footballers to have played the sport professionally
#5 Costel Pantilimon - 2.03 m
The Romanian international earned the limelight while guarding the goalpost for the national team's under-19 side.
Joining the Romanian team FC Politehnica Timișoara (now dissolved) as the second choice goalkeeper at a tender age of 19, Costel Pantilimon's prowess and build got him promoted as the club's first-choice goalie.
After playing about 115 games for Politehnica Timișoara over the course of six years, Costel Pantilimon arrived at the Etihad as a cover for Joe Hart. Despite majorly being second-choice, Pantilimon managed to win the Premier League, FA Cup and Community Shield titles with Manchester City.
#4 Lacina Traoré - 2.03 m
Nicknamed 'The Big Tree' for obvious reasons, Ivory Coast international Lacina Traore was a known figure during his youth days.
Over the course of his career, Lacina Traoré managed to feature for some of the reputed teams in Europe. This includes the likes of AS Monaco, Everton, CSKA Moscow and Sporting Gijón.
Traoré was also an important element in Ivorians' continental outings. He graced the role of a full-timer as well as of a cameo at both U-23 and senior levels during the early 2010s. The gigantic forward narrowly missed out on Ivory Coast's 2014 FIFA World Cup squad.
#3 Vanja Iveša - 2.05 m
The Croatian shot-stopper earned fame not just for being a humungous figure between the sticks, but also for being the oldest player ever to play in Croatia's top-tier football — the Croatian First Football League.
The 6-feet 9-inch goalkeeper achieved this feat in 2018 at the age of 40. Known for his reach and off-the-ball skills, Vanja Iveša played in various leagues across Croatia, Australia and Turkey. Notably, Sydney United was his only team outside Europe.
However, Iveša guarded the Australian side's goalpost for just one season. He then returned to Croatia to spend shorter stints at Žminj, Pula and Slaven Belupo. Signing for the Turkish club Eskişehirspor proved to be a game-changer for the Croat.
He found some stability with them and played 131 games for Eskişehirspor. In 2012, the former Sydney United goalie switched to a different Turkish team - Elazığspor - with whom he remained for the next three years before returning to Croatia.
#2 Paul Millar - 2.08 m
Standing at 6-feet and 10-inches, Paul Millar is one of the tallest players ever to play professional football. Starting off his career with Scottish side Kirkcaldy YM's youth setup, Millar earned fame during his prime with Scotland's League Two team — Elgin City.
The enormous forward is the only Elgin City F.C. player to have scored in the League Two playoffs. The Scottish forward hit a purple patch with the League Two team as he managed to find the net for Elgin City a total of 46 times off 65 games.
While his height favored his on-field performances, it also came at a cost. Millar sustained a cruciate knee ligament injury during his last days at Elgin City. However, the forward never managed to recover fully and had to hang his boots soon enough.
Paul Millar was inducted into his youth team - Kirkaldy YM's Hall of Fame.
#1 Kristof van Hout - 2.08 m
Recognized as the world's tallest goalkeeper, Belgian international Kristof van Hout occupies the top spot on our list.
Kristof began his professional career with Eredivisie club Willem II. Failing to kick-start his career the way it was expected, the Belgian returned to his home and played for Koninklijke Voetbalclub Kortrijk and Royal Standard de Liège in Belgian First Division A in subsequent seasons.
He bagged his first and only major trophy with Belgian heavyweight Genk after winning the 2012-13 Belgian Cup. Kristof van Hout signed for Indian Super League team Delhi Dynamos in 2014 as the franchise's marquee player.
