Mathieu Valbuena Is Still Short, as Images from France vs. Honduras Show

France's Mathieu Valbuena, according to UEFA, stands 1.67m tall (that's around 5'6"). He is, by football standards, quite short. 

But while the likes of Lionel Messi are just a couple of centimetres taller, Valbuena has an unfortunate knack of looking shorter than everyone else.

Mind-blowing photo of Mathieu Valbuena (France) against Belgium, 2013 pic.twitter.com/Bw9NSlOFAW

— Classic Pics (@ClassicPixs) January 20, 2014

First, there was the image above from a France-Belgium friendly last year, which went viral.

In France's opening World Cup game vs. Honduras, there were two fresh examples. First, a picture of him next to the corner flag:

Poor guy is also as tall as a corner flag! #FRA pic.twitter.com/vCpzi7XT80

— Mohammed Ali (@mohammedali_93) June 16, 2014

 And second, a picture of him underneath a France goal celebration:

Valbuena can't catch a break with his height #FRA pic.twitter.com/exFsuFKhZE

— Mohammed Ali (@mohammedali_93) June 16, 2014

No wonder fans made a spoof Panini sticker in his honour before the start of the tournament.

French fans troll 5' 6" (1.67 m) Mathieu Valbuena, creating fake Panini pic.twitter.com/QydKsgnjre

— GOLTV (@GolTV) June 5, 2014

But with Valbuena impressing during France's 3-0 opening win, the little man is making a big impression.

[Twitter]