Are Big Feet Bad For Soccer? (Explained!)

Factors such as big feet can determine a player’s performance in soccer. So, are big feet bad for soccer? We have the answers.

Big feet are not bad for football, and in fact, they can be advantageous. This is because they enhance the stamina, speed, and performance of the player. In addition, big feet come in handy in football actions such as dribbling. However, a player with big feet could be vulnerable to an injury.

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Are Big Feet Bad for Soccer?

No, big feet are not bad for soccer, although they have some drawbacks. Soccer players have varying feet sizes, including wide and narrow feet. Still, others have both long and wide feet. Big feet are an indication of general athleticism, and players with a larger frame are more likely to be big-footed than their counterparts. While the shoe size is not indicative of skill, it may play a crucial role in the performance, speed, and overall stamina of soccer players.

In this article, you will learn everything that you need to know about big feet and whether it is good or bad for soccer.

Pros of Having Big Feet for Soccer

Soccer is a fast-paced sport and it involves short sprints, shooting, passing, and other irregular movements. In this case, big-footed soccer players are placed at an advantage because of the large foot surface. During play, the increased foot surface comes in quite handy to help a player kick, dribble, block, and roll the ball. 

Also, a greater foot surface tends to be in contact with the ground, increasing traction and the ability of the player to turn. This is a benefit that small feet are not able to offer. Furthermore, it is believed that soccer players with big feet have better traction with the turf. This makes it easier for them to turn while sprinting. 

Another notable advantage of big feet is that it increases the player’s ability to block opponents from accessing the ball. This is unlike players with smaller feet since they may not effectively barricade and block the soccer ball from an opponent. 

Although experience and skill contribute highly to a player’s success, big feet can also improve a player’s ability on the field. Big feet are believed to increase the strength, endurance, and speed of players during play, making it easier for them to deliver powerful shots. Moreover, the feet are structured to support the body weight and balance and help you move forward. Therefore, big feet can give players proper support and balance, which is crucial for contact sports like soccer, American Football, Rugby, and more. The feet act as a cushion to absorb shock and as levers to accelerate quickly in the field. Most importantly, soccer players whose big toe is longer than the shorter toe are an advantage of sprinting since it is firmly grounded. 

Cons of Big Feet in Soccer

Despite the many benefits of big feet in soccer, there are a few drawbacks that come with them. Soccer players with big feet are more prone to injuries than their small-footed counterparts. They are likely to sprain their big toe joint, resulting in an injury known as turf toe. This is a painful injury and it is not recommended for players to play on it during the pre or off-season of competitive tournaments like the US Open Cup. 

Injuries are very expensive to both the team and the player. On one hand, the team pays the player who is not working. On the other hand, the player may not face financial losses, but will miss the games. Just like the ship is made for the rough seas, the player feels satisfied when on the pitch. Some players go through a lot of emotional pain when they miss major games.

Other common foot problems that players with big toes are exposed to include callouses, bruises, broken toes, missing or bruised toenails, and plantar or tendonitis. In some cases, big feet place pressure on the lower body causing waist pain. 

In addition, a fair share of big-footed players also experiences difficulty finding well-fitting soccer shoes. Most cleats do not fit well and some soccer players with big feet have opted to custom-make their shoes to ensure comfort during play. Moreover, most people with big feet have flat feet. Strenuous activity like soccer can increase the risks of foot pain for people with flat feet, especially in the arch and heel. 

Soccer Players with Big Feet

Throughout soccer history, the world has witnessed soccer players with larger frames and big feet compared to regular people. These players have managed to surpass the cons of big feet and have made notable accomplishments and remarkable careers. Some known soccer players with big feet in the Premier League include:

Romelu Lukaku

Belgium player, Romelu Lukaku is arguably one of the professional soccer players with the largest feet in the UK Premier League. Lukaku wears size 14 boots or 13.5’ UK, which is far from the average soccer shoe size in the US of 10.5 medium width. He has also revealed that he would be open to moving to the MLS in the future and mentioned that his favorite destination would be in New York, Miami, or Los Angeles. 

Peter Crouch

During his time, Peter Crouch was among the big-footed professional soccer players. The former striker, who retired in 2019, wears size 12.5’ boots. The former striker announced his retirement in 2019 and is the highest goal scorer heading in the Premier League.

Fraser Forster

Forster is the other player in the 12.5 boots category. This England goalkeeper leverages his size of 12 feet to make a great distance of clearances. He measures 6’7” and has made a name for himself in the list of top England goalkeepers. 

Cristiano Ronaldo

Cristiano is a Portuguese professional soccer player and a Manchester United player in the premier league. Measuring 6’1”, Cristiano wears size 9 soccer boots when playing in the Premier League.

Paul Pogba

Like Cristiano, Pogba is not among the tallest soccer players in the Premier League as he is 6”3’ tall. Nevertheless, this Manchester United midfielder is big-footed and wears Adidas boots measuring 10.5. Although his feet are not very big, Pogba has a reputation for long limbs; hence, the nickname Octopus. 

Dele Alli

Alli is a Tottenham Hotspur midfielder in the Premier League. This soccer player measures 6’2” in height and wears different shoe sizes on both his left and right legs. He wears size 10.5 boots on the left foot and size 11 boots on the right foot.

Neymar

This list of soccer players with big feet would not be complete without mentioning Neymar. Standing at 5’9”, this Brazilian soccer player is a size 8. Although not very big, his quick feet do quite the talking when he is playing for PSG.

Kanu Nwankwo

Another worthy mention is former Arsenal forward and captain of the Nigerian National team. Although retired, Kanu will always be remembered for his 6’ 5” height and whooping size 15 boots. No doubt he had big feet, and they worked in his favor during play.

Key Takeaways:

• Big feet come with many potential benefits and slight disadvantages for soccer players.
• Some big-footed soccer players have combined their skills and experience with their big feet to deliver exceptional performance.
• While the size of feet matters, other factors like playing technique, experience, body mechanics, and overall body proportions are more crucial.
• Romelu Lukaku, who has the biggest feet in the Premier League, wears size 14 boots. 
• Soccer players with big feet need to choose appropriate shoes that offer both comfort and flexibility. Otherwise, they may be susceptible to pain and other conditions.