Joaquín Lallana Wins ‘Tallest Man’ Contest, Fits First Proper Suit at 29

Argentine basketball player Joaquín Lallana has won a national contest to find the country’s tallest man, earning recognition not just for his height but for a deeply personal milestone: wearing a suit that fits properly for the first time in nearly 15 years.

The 29-year-old pivot, who plays for Belgrano de San Nicolás in Argentina’s Federal Basketball League (the third tier nationally), stands at 2.16 meters tall. His victory in the “hombre más alto” (tallest man) competition, organized by clothing brand Palacios&Palacios, was confirmed in mid-April 2026.

Lallana’s win brought him unexpected attention, not only for his athletic profile but for the candid reflections he shared about life at his stature. Speaking to Revista GENTE shortly after claiming the prize, he described the emotional significance of finally being able to wear a tailored suit.

“Desde la secundaria que no usaba traje. Tuve uno para mis 15 o 16 años. La genia de mi mamá me lo había comprado. Lo usé hasta que me recibí. Nunca más me lo probé,” Lallana said, translating to “I hadn’t worn a suit since high school. I had one for my 15th or 16th birthday. My mom’s genius had bought it for me. I wore it until I graduated. I never tried it on again.”

He continued: “Nunca había tenido un traje que me quedara bien… Porque aquel al principio me iba largo y ancho de torso, grande de hombros y corto de manga. Hasta que empecé a estirarme y ya no hubo manera de que me entrara.” (“I had never had a suit that fit me well… Because at first it was too long and wide in the torso, too substantial in the shoulders, and too short in the sleeves. Until I started growing, and then there was no way it would fit.”)

Lallana emphasized that while he had owned suits before, none had ever fit him correctly until now. “No puedo decir que este es el primer traje que tengo, pero sí el primero que me calza bien,” he stated. (“I can’t say this is the first suit I’ve ever had, but yes, it’s the first one that fits me properly.”)

The experience of seeing himself in the mirror in a well-fitting suit moved him deeply. “No puedo creer la imagen que me devuelve el espejo. Si hasta parezco serio,” he laughed, adding, “I can’t believe the image the mirror gives me back. I even look serious.”

His height places him among the tallest players in Argentine basketball history. According to the Infobae report citing league records, Lallana ranks fourth all-time in height in the Liga Nacional de Básquet, behind only Jorge Gigante González (2.30 m), Fernando Varas (2.20 m), and Glen Sudhop (2.18 m). Francisco Cáffaro, currently of Boca Juniors, follows at 2.15 m.

Lallana, a native of La Pampa province, debuted at the highest level with Atenas de Córdoba. His recognition through the Palacios&Palacios campaign also led to a planned meeting with former Argentine basketball player Fernando Borcel, who also stands at 2.15 meters and was sought by the brand for a separate challenge tied to the contest.

The brand’s initial call sought individuals who struggle with standard clothing due to height: “¿Tenés ese amigo que no entra en las fotos? ¿Tu primo que tiene que agacharse para pasar por las puertas? ¡Esta es su oportunidad!​ En P&P queremos encontrarlo y premiarlo con un Outfit de nuestra marca. Sabemos que el estilo no tiene límites, ¡y el talle tampoco!​” (“Do you have that friend who doesn’t fit in photos? Your cousin who has to duck to go through doors? This is your opportunity! At P&P we wish to find him and reward him with an outfit from our brand. We know style has no limits, and neither does size!”)

Lallana was tagged in the campaign’s social media comments by friends and family, which led to his entry and eventual win. The prize included a custom outfit from Palacios&Palacios, marking the first time he could wear clothing designed to accommodate his frame without compromise.

As of mid-April 2026, Lallana continues to play for Belgrano de San Nicolás in the Federal League. No further public appearances or events tied to the contest have been announced by the brand or the athlete in verified sources.

The story resonated beyond sports circles, touching on themes of inclusion, personal milestones, and the everyday challenges faced by individuals whose physiques fall outside standard sizing — a narrative rarely highlighted in mainstream sports coverage.

For now, Lallana returns to his team with a renewed sense of confidence, both on and off the court, knowing that for the first time in over a decade, he can dress not just for function, but for fit and feeling.

His next scheduled checkpoint remains Belgrano de San Nicolás’ upcoming fixture in the Federal League, though specific date and opponent details were not included in the verified sources consulted for this report.

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