Lisandro Martinez and five legendary centre-backs who were considered 'too short'
Suraj Radia
- Updated: 27 Jul 2022 13:48 BST
- 4 min read
Manchester United have completed the signing of Lisandro Martinez for an initial €55 million from Ajax.
Martinez has been a long-time target of manager Erik ten Hag, who has finally managed to complete the deal following Man Utd's return from their pre-season tour of Thailand and Australia.
It is a transfer that has several talking points. Firstly, the price is considered to be elevated, while, ironically, the player is not. At just 5ft 9in, Martinez is set to be the shortest player in the Premier League, where centre-backs typically come in above 6ft.
Needless to say, this has caused some consternation amongst the club's support.
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While his height may be a cause for concern to some, Martinez won more aerial duels for Ajax last season than 6ft 4in Harry Maguire did for United.
History proves that a lack of height does not stop a defender from being elite and FootballTransfers takes a look at some of the best centre-backs who may have been considered ‘too short’.
Franco Baresi – 5ft 9in
Italian legend Franco Baresi is widely considered one of the greatest defenders to ever play the game having graced the heart of Milan’s defence for 20 years from 1977 to 1997.
Baresi was described as the complete defender despite his stature of just 5ft 9in and he excelled as a sweeper, allowing Milan to press with a high line, something that was unheard of during his era.
Milan won 18 major trophies during Baresi’s time at the club and he revolutionised defending under manager Arrigo Sacchi, as well as partnering fellow legends such as Paolo Maldini and Alessandro Costacurta.
Thiago Silva – 5ft 11in
Martinez can look towards a current Premier League star in Thiago Silva as a modern day player who has not let his height stop him from becoming one of the best defenders of his generation.
The Brazil captain has won titles across Europe with Milan, Paris Saint-Germain and Chelsea due to his ability on the ball and reading of the game.
In fact, he was so revered at Milan that Baresi labelled Silva as his ‘heir’ and the player most like him – perhaps the highest praise a defender can receive.
Javier Mascherano – 5ft 9in
Javier Mascherano was initially known as a tough-tackling defensive midfielder however it was at Barcelona that he excelled as a ball-playing centre back under Pep Guardiola.
The Argentine struggled initially at Barcelona after not possessing the attributes Guardiola wanted in a defensive midfielder but he eventually was moved into defence where he made his mark, winning 19 trophies with the club.
However, Mascherano later admitted his frustration at playing a ‘thankless’ role, with him often considering leaving as he never got to play in midfield during his prime.
Fabio Cannavaro – 5ft 9in
Fabio Cannavaro made history as Italy’s most capped outfield player as well as becoming the first defender this century – and the third overall – to win the Ballon d’Or in 2006.
The versatile defender was small by all accounts, at just 5ft 9 in, but was considered one of the best headers of the ball despite his size, due to his ability to out jump and win duels against taller players.
Cannavaro captained Italy to World Cup success in 2006 and won the Silver Ball at the tournament due to his side conceding just twice across the tournament, neither goal from open play.
Carles Puyol – 5ft 10in
One of the most iconic defenders of all time, Carles Puyol spent his entire career with Barcelona, winning 18 trophies in 15 years as well as earning 100 caps for the Spanish national side.
Puyol began his career at right back but he eventually moved into the middle and developed a reputation as a commanding defender in the air despite his height.
A vocal leader with tremendous work ethic and intelligence, Puyol won every trophy available to him for both club and country and was voted in UEFA’s team of the year on six occasions.
