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15 Strongest Soccer Players In The World

By: Author Connor Smith

Strength in soccer can really come in handy for players at the highest level. Strength plays a role that some overlook, whether it’s jockeying for position or getting power behind a shot.

Who are the strongest soccer players in the world right now? These 15 are a matchup nightmare for most teams trying to slow them down.

15. N’Golo Kante

  • Height: 5′ 6″ / 168cm
  • Weight: 154 lbs / 70kg

Starting out this list might be the most surprising of them all. Guys who are only 5‘6“ tall or not considered to be strong and intimidating, but Kante is the exception to the rule.

He has never backed down throughout his career, whether it be for Chelsea or the French National Team. He’s been one of the most consistent players for both teams, and as a central midfielder, he matches up with anyone.

Pound for pound, he might be one of the strongest soccer players in the game today. He has tremendous strength to hold his position and be one of the most dynamic players when he has the opportunity. He does a great job with possession, and is one of the best ball carriers in the game today.

14. Mamadou Sakho

  • Height: 6′ 2″ / 187cm
  • Weight: 183 lbs / 83kg

Since turning pro, Mamadou Sakho has been referred to by many as one of the strongest soccer players in the world. Currently, with Montpellier in Ligue 1, the center back makes it a tough matchup for any player.

He is tall, strong, and capable of helping any team with his leadership qualities. No matter where he plays, he usually ends up with many supporters due to his overall style.

13. Micah Richards

  • Height: 6′ 2″ / 187cm
  • Weight: 183 lbs / 83kg

English soccer fans know right-back Michael Richards is a strong matchup problem for any club. Even though he is not particularly tall, his strength allows him to stay strong and have a pretty solid career.

Most of his time was spent with Manchester City for over 10 years, but fans will always remember him as one of the strongest in the EPL.

12. Hulk (Givanildo Vieira de Sousa)

  • Height: 5′ 11″ / 180cm
  • Weight: 189 lbs / 86kg

If the name doesn’t sound particularly familiar, maybe his nickname will do the trick. The guy known as Hulk is a Brazilian forward who has had a very solid career at this point. He’s spent time with many different clubs, and has 48 caps for the Brazilian National Team.

He uses his size and strength to get to where he needs to be inside the box. That has allowed him to be a pretty consistent goal scorer, despite not having the typical attributes that some of the other forwards at the top of soccer have.

As far as his nickname, it came from looking a lot like Lou Ferrigno, the actor who played the Incredible Hulk.

11. Adama Traore

  • Height: 5′ 10″ / 178cm
  • Weight: 159 lbs / 72kg

This is a player who has one of the best combinations of size, strength, and speed. He can accelerate quickly, and at times looks like a physical specimen out there as a winger. That has allowed him to have success in the Premier League for Wolverhampton, and the Spanish National Team.

What’s frustrating is that now he is a bit of a seasoned vet, he still hasn’t been able to figure out the final ingredient to be one of the stars in soccer. With a little bit more knowledge of the game and composure, he could put it all together.

10. Christian Benteke

  • Height: 6′ 3″ / 192cm
  • Weight: 183 lbs / 83kg

The Belgian striker for Crystal Palace is one player who relies on a great combination of speed and strength. He has superior speed that allows him to find open spots, but his strength is what has propelled him to the top level of soccer.

At 6′ 3″ tall, he almost always has the size advantage over his opponents. This has allowed him to play well internationally for the Belgium National Team. Having that type of strength on the pitch makes a team that much more intimidating.

9. Yaya Toure

  • Height: 6′ 2″ / 189cm
  • Weight: 198 lbs / 90kg

Yaya Toure has always used his strength very well to give him a solid career overall. He spent a good amount of time as a senior player for Manchester City, but he’s had stints with other big clubs as well.

Every step of the way, the midfielder can play offensively, or defensively. He is a strong passer, has great field vision, and is very physical with and without the ball.

8. Zlatan Ibrahimovic

  • Height: 6′ 5″ / 195cm
  • Weight: 209 lbs / 95kg

In his prime, Zlatan Ibrahimovic could arguably be the strongest player on this list. At least, asking him would provide that type of answer. He’s starting to get up there in age now, but he almost always has a size and strength advantage over his opponents.

His tough build has allowed him to stay competitive throughout the years. Many are surprised that he is still going strong, but he has shown that it’s not all about speed and agility to be the best of the best.

7. Romelu Lukaku

  • Height: 6′ 3″ / 192cm
  • Weight: 207 lbs / 94kg

Lukaku has made a huge impact on Chelsea since coming over from Inter Milan. He played a total of 10 games with them as a youngster, but he is stronger now and more dependable on the pitch every single match.

This is another striker who has a size advantage over most of the players he goes up against. He’s the type of very physical player all around the pitch, always looking to push the limit when getting away with certain movements.

6. Chris Samba

  • Height: 6′ 4″ / 193cm
  • Weight: 220 lbs / 100kg

Samba is one of the more well-known players in the last few years for the Congo National Team. He spends a lot of time playing all over Europe at the professional level, and the defender has always found work thanks to his physical style of play.

He’s not afraid to push players around to gain an advantage, which will keep him employed while others age out of the game.

5. Victor Wanyama

  • Height: 6′ 1″ / 188cm
  • Weight: 191 lbs / 87kg

The Kenyan National Team has relied on Victor Wanyama to bring some of the muscle to help them on demand.

He has been a very consistent player for the national team, but he’s provided value at the professional level as well. He spent considerable time in the English Premier League, but recently moved to Major League Soccer in North America to play for CF Montreal.

Not only is he strong, but his height makes him a handful to deal with as well. He has caused a lot of trouble for opposing teams so far in Major League Soccer, as there are a few players who match his physicality.

4. Giorgio Chiellini

  • Height: 6′ 2″ / 189cm
  • Weight: 190 lbs / 86kg

When you are strong and consistent as a player, there’s always going to be an opportunity to play for a soccer team. Giorgio Chiellini is very strong and aggressive, but his composure on the pitch allows him to continually play at a high level.

Since 2004, he’s been a consistent face for Juventus. He’s also made a total of 112 appearances for Italy on the national team. He is not afraid to take chances at any time, and usually has an advantage over his opponent. When he is near the ball, he’s never afraid to take a shot at a header.

3. Danny Shittu

  • Height: 6’3″ / 190cm
  • Weight: 209 lbs / 95kg

Although he recently called it quits, Danny Shittu is without question one of the strongest soccer players to ever play the game. He is most notable for playing for Queens Park Rangers, but he was also a Nigerian National Team member for 32 matches.

At 6’3″, he almost always had a height advantage. He didn’t exactly look like a traditional soccer player either, as his size and strength almost made him appear like a football player instead.

His hard work and professionalism at the highest level of soccer allowed him to be a fan favorite every place he went. Even during his final stint with Millwall, they were very appreciative of his tenacity.

2. George Elokobi

  • Height: 5′ 11″ / 180cm
  • Weight: 185 lbs / 84kg

His professional career might be coming towards an end, but George Elokobi is one of the strongest players to ever play professional soccer at a high level.

It’s one of the reasons why he’s been able to have such a long career as a centre-back. Spending the most amount of time with Wolverhampton, he’s also suited up for several other clubs looking for a little more strength on defense.

Now playing for Maidstone United, he is used as more of an academy coach now than a player. It’s a smooth transition for the professional who has coaching aspirations after his career is finally over.

1. Adebayo Akinfenwa

  • Height: 6′ 1″ / 188cm
  • Weight: 220 lbs / 100kg

The strongest player in soccer right now is only playing in League One in England. Suiting up for the Wycombe Wanderers, the English native is still going strong at 39 years of age.

Playing as a striker, he has a pretty unusual build, but he’s found a way to score 47 goals in the last 185 appearances for his newest club.

One way that Akinfenwa has made a name for himself in the soccer world has been from the video game series FIFA. He has been named the strongest soccer player in the world based on ratings several times, and he seems to only get stronger with age.

The speed might not be there any longer to play at a high level, but the strength will always give him a bit of an advantage. Being a bit taller as a striker also helps him get the upper hand against defenders.

Akinfenwa is also regarded as one of the fattest soccer players ever, but I’m not sure if he really is that fat or if it’s all just muscles – I guess it’s a mix of both!