To date, Puskas is a huge symbol in Hungary and a role model that any young player in this country dreams of reaching. Even coaches, when training young players, often bring Puskas out as a role model. Even though he plays on the offensive line, Puskas is only 1m72 tall. His strengths during his playing days were a low center of gravity like Maradona, a pair of extremely strong thighs and… small feet.

One of the players strongly inspired by the legendary Ferenc Puskas is Liverpool’s rookie, Dominik Szoboszlai.

Why does Dominik Szoboszlai have small feet?

With a height of 1m85, Szoboszlai’s body shape is basically different from Puskas. The only similarity between the two is their small feet. Both wear shoe size number 7 according to British standards, relatively small for professional players.

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As a child, Szoboszlai often wore shoes that were one size smaller than her feet. According to an acquaintance of this player, Mr. Zsolt (Szoboszlai’s father) was the one who made this decision. When he was young, Mr. Zsolt was also a professional player and he believed he was doing what was best for his talented son. This person recalled that they found Szoboszlai’s exercises as a child quite strange, such as holding a golf ball in his hand and running through plastic bottles.

Many people believe that if you use a small shoe size, your feet will stop growing. Since then, during practice, the player still maintains a good feeling on the ball.

A source close to the Szoboszlai family said: “That’s a tip for young players. When you have a big foot, you can’t control the ball well, unless you’re a player like Ibrahimovic.

To kick well, you need long legs and small feet. That’s why Dominik’s father was very strict with him from a young age. And look at him now.”

Another example that people often mention when discussing the story of small feet is Messi. El Pulga wears size 41 shoes and that is also part of the reason why the Argentine captain has better control of the ball and can easily change direction when dribbling.

Do small feet mean good football?

However, science may not agree with the above statement. There is no proof, according to some scientists, that having small feet will improve a soccer player’s performance. Furthermore, many coaches believe that athletes with large or medium-sized feet can play elite football without any problems.

Rene Meulensteen – Manchester United’s first team coach from 2007 to 2013 commented: “Does foot size really affect the ability to shoot? Not much, because the shot also depends on technique.” technique, position, arms and muscles.

Despite being 1m87 tall and wearing a size 42 shoe, you can’t argue that Ronaldo lacks shooting ability. Ibrahimovic is comparable. They are both excellent goal scorers, and in my opinion, they have good ball-handling and finishing skills. Does the size of your feet matter then?

Scott Chickelday, a striker coach who has worked with many international players, agrees: “Technique is the most important thing, not foot size. If you use the correct technique, your shot will generate more power.

Look at Kevin de Bruyne, he kicks incredibly hard, and he’s not the tallest guy, nor does he have small feet. But technically he is a top player.

To summarize, in the end, the issue of big or small feet depends on each individual’s beliefs. And for Szoboszlai, that no longer matters now. What he needs to do now is prove his ability at Liverpool and devote himself to the national team.