Influencers of the great game of soccer!
Story by Judy Spaar
Guillem Balagué introduces us to the amazing world of Lionel Messi in the definitive biography Messi. He triumphed in the 2022 World Cup, delivering Argentina their third World Cup. Balagué had unprecedented access to Messi’s inner circle, including the player himself: his coaches, teammates, and family. From tracing the origins of this star’s precocious talent in Rosario, Argentina, to chronicling his peerless seventeen-season career at Barcelona, and his tumultuous Parisian adventure, Guillem takes us behind-the-scenes of Messi’s World Cup triumph and his move to the MLS.
The 2014 World Cup brought stardom to Tim Howard. In his book, The Keeper, this idolized goalkeeper and American icon discusses the psychological and professional challenges he has faced, and the enduring faith that has sustained him. He opens up about how a hyperactive kid with Tourette’s syndrome defied the odds to become one of the world’s premier goalkeepers. A look back over his career from becoming the youngest player to win MLS Goalkeeper of the Year, to his storied move to Manchester United and Everton, to his record-making performance with the USMNT.
Abby Wambach certainly understands the thrill of playing in the World Cup, as her team won the 2015 World Cup. At age seven, she was put on the boys’ soccer team, then at age 35, she became the highest goal scorer in the history of the USWNT at the World Cup! In Forward: A Memoir, she reveals that her professional success often masked her inner struggle to reconcile various parts of herself: ferocious competitor, daughter, leader, wife.
This Sir Alex Ferguson autobiography, Alex Ferguson, is a deep dive into his life as the man who helmed Manchester United for 27 years, leading them to 38 trophies. Ferguson addresses personal feuds, triumphs, and highlights of his life on the pitch, as player and coach, moving on to his managerial career with East Stirlingshire and St Mirren. As manager of Aberdeen, he achieved winning three Scottish league championships, four Scottish Cups, and both the UEFA Cup Winners’ Cup and the UEFA Super Cup in 1983. He briefly managed Scotland, taking the team to the 1986 World Cup.
Zlatan Ibrahimovic is truly one of soccer’s brightest stars! In his memoirish book, I am Zlatan, this top-scoring striker and captain of the Swedish national team has dominated the world’s most storied teams, such as Ajax, Juventus, Inter Milan, Barcelona, AC Milan and Paris Saint-Germain. Born to Balkan immigrants who divorced when he was a toddler, he learned self-reliance from his rough-and-tumble neighborhood with soccer as Zlatan’s release. Mixing in street moves and trick plays, Zlatan was a wild talent who rode to practice on stolen bikes and relished showing up the rich kids, opponents, and teammates alike.
Perhaps no player has won the hearts of young soccer players like Mia Hamm! Her book, Go for the Goal features personal anecdotes and pics, making for a great read. With her cheetah-like acceleration and lightning-bolt shot, Hamm broke nearly every record in her sport. In addition to being an inspiring story about how a tiny suburban sprite became a global terror, it is a readable guide for any youngster with the all-American dream of making the team and becoming a champ!
Carlo Ancelotti has the distinctive honor of being one of the greatest soccer team managers of all time, with five Champions League titles to his name. Yet his approach could not be further from the aggressive theatricals favored by many of his rivals. His understated style has earned him the fierce loyalty of players like David Beckham, Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Cristiano Ronaldo. In his book Quiet Leadership, Ancelotti reveals the full, riveting story of his managerial career, the result is both a scintillating memoir and a rare insight into the business of leadership.
