Top 10 heaviest footballers of 2022

The list has a lot of strikers and defenders who primarily need to be good physically to shrug off shoulder challenges.

Fitness is an essential part of any football player's ecosystem. Similarly, being overweight is their biggest demon. To keep up with the new age of players who can run like lightning, today's game requires extreme physical attributes. It is therefore crucial that all players maintain a healthy weight since it affects their agility, speed, strength, and balance. Maintaining the right weight, however, is a monumental challenge. A 24/7 commitment is required from players in all aspects of their lives. There have been some players who have defied this myth and have played at the top level despite not having an ideal weight. Footballers who have been on the list of the heaviest footballers have gone on to win the biggest trophies of the game.

Here we discuss the heaviest footballers in the world in 2022.

10. Romelu Lukaku - 94kg 

It is no secret that the Belgian striker is one of the strongest footballers on the planet, and he uses his natural physicality to perfection to fool defenders. However, his recent stint with Chelsea was a disaster and drew much attention. There was a widespread belief that his weight played a role in this. Thomas Tuchel reportedly warned Lukaku about his physical condition because the Belgian was slow and less agile for the Premier League. He can, however, be a real beast when it comes to one-on-one matchups with defenders because of his strength, and will be hoping to prove everyone wrong after his return to Inter.

9. Zlatan Ibrahimovic - 95kg 

Throughout his career, the 40-year-old Swedish striker has been known for his strength and aggression. When he is up against defenders, AC Milan's striker is a nightmare. At 40, Ibrahimovic has one of the craziest physiques, and despite weighing 95kg, he looks shredded. Last season, he led Rossoneri to the Serie A trophy after years of drought after showing no evidence of a decline in his physical condition. 

Also Read: Top 10 players to have played for AC Milan and Inter Milan

8. George Elokobi - 95kg   

Maidstone United's centre-back weighs 95 kg, which may be a little bit more than the average weight for a centre-back nowadays. The Cameroonian player loves heading to the gym and enjoys weightlifting. He currently plays in National League but previously, he also played for the Wolves for three seasons from 2008 to 2014, making 85 appearances. While his weight may not be ideal, his mentality is as strong as his strength and he never gives up despite his failings. 

7. Thibaut Courtois - 96kg 

As one of the best goalkeepers and possessing real heart-stopping reflexes, it may surprise you to learn that Courtois weighs 96kg. With a height of 6'7'', the weight is quite appropriate for the Belgian goalkeeper. Los Blancos’ keeper is one of the best in the world and has won many golden gloves in recent times. Last season, the Belgian shot-stopper led Real Madrid to their 14th Champions League title.

6. Lovre Kalinić - 96kg   

The Croatian is a 32-year-old Goalkeeper currently playing for Hajduk Split in Croatia. During the 2018 World Cup, he was also part of Croatia's historic campaign. The 32-year-old keeper weighs 96kg and has played for Aston Villa in past. However, over the course of his career, Kalinic has been inconsistent, and this has been largely attributed to his weight. 

5. Kim Shin-Wook - 96 kg  

The South Korean striker plays in Singapore's Premier League, where he is considered the strongest and heaviest player. Wook plays for Lion City Sailors and has an impressive record there. The Lion City star has 23 goals in 20 appearances since joining the club in 2021. Wook has been a nightmare for the Singapore premier league defenders and enjoys muscling out the defenders. 

4. Jannik Vestergaard - 98 kg  

Jannik Vestergaard is a Danish footballer who stands 6'6" tall and weighs 98kg. Vestergaard plays for Leicester City and has all the physical qualities needed to be a strong centreback. Despite this, he has struggled to keep up with the pace of the Premier League because of his big physique. The world has never been the same for the Danish footballer since he made the switch. Even many injuries have covered him in recent times. Vestergaard only played 13 games in all competitions for Leicester City last season and will be looking to make a strong comeback this season. 

3. Harry Maguire - 100kg  

Next on the list is the Captain of the Red Devils. Recently, Harry Maguire has been the focus of much hate in English football because of his weight. Although he was considered an essential member of United in recent seasons, he has lost his spot because of his slowness due to weight gain. At the moment, the English centre-back is the heaviest player in the Premier League. It’s clear that the 100kg centre-back needs to shed some weight in order to regain his place and gain respect back.

Also Read: Top 10 players who scored on their debut for Manchester United

2. Roman Torres - 99 kg  

Roman Torres is a big name in Panama football as he was the captain of the Panama National Team in their first-ever FIFA World Cup in 2018. Throughout the World Cup campaign, he led by example. The Panama Center back currently plays in Costa Rica and has plied his trade in MLS previously. Despite his short stature, Torres is a highly respected defensive player in North and South American leagues due to his strong leadership capabilities and strong defensive abilities.

1. Adebayo Akinfenwa - 103kg  

103 kg is a lot of weight, but can someone play professional football if they weigh so much? The answer is yes, as Adebayo Akinfenwa, weighing 103 kg, tops the list of the world’s heaviest footballers. Though he has received criticism for his weight throughout his career, he hasn’t let it slow him down. The Bulky Englishman last played for Wycombe Wanderers, where he scored 61 goals in 250 games and will go down as a legendary figure of English football.