Best Soccer Books

This award-winning football classic captures the highs and lows of being a true football fan. Brimming with honesty and wit, it perfectly showcases what it means to be a fan and what it means to be a man. A must-read for anyone who wants to understand the power of sports in shaping our lives.

This riveting study explores the history of soccer tactics from its chaotic beginnings to modern times. Author Jonathan Wilson delves into the lives of iconic players and thinkers who have shaped the game. He also examines why the English have been resistant to abstract concepts. With its erudite and sweeping style, this modern classic of soccer writing is a must-read for any fan of the beautiful game.

Discover new insights about the world's favorite sport with this insightful read. Using powerful analytical tools, the authors take a fresh look at football and reveal surprising truths that go against conventional wisdom. From interesting data trends to hidden stories behind the game, 'Soccernomics' is a must-read for any football fanatic.

Explore the world through the lens of soccer, as Franklin Foer takes readers on an insightful and surprising tour across various continents. From the intersection of cultures to the global economy, How Soccer Explains the World sheds light on the joys and sorrows of modern society. Get ready for a unique and fascinating read that makes sense of our troubled times.

Follow Joe McGinniss as he travels to a remote Italian village to cover a minor league soccer team's unlikely success. Along the way, he develops a bond with an absurd yet irresistible cast of characters, all while introducing readers to an Italy that no tourist guidebook has ever described. Get ready for a sad, funny, desolating, and inspiring story that will keep you on the edge of your seat from start to finish.

This gripping novel follows the turbulent journey of football manager Brian Clough as he takes the reins of one of the country's most successful, yet despised, clubs. Leeds United's aging team proves a challenge for Clough and the battle could mean victory or ruin. Set in the gritty 1970s, the book explores the themes of fear, ambition, and success. You won't be able to put it down.

This book covers the 40-year history of the U.S. Women's National Soccer Team, including their four World Cup and Olympic wins. It explores the challenges the team faced off the pitch, such as poor pay and limited opportunities to play in professional leagues, and the rise and fall of U.S. women's soccer leagues. Featuring exclusive interviews with superstar players and coaches, this is an engrossing portrait of an enduring team.

Discover the way soccer embodies the spirit of Brazil in this classic read by Alex Bellos. Through skillful storytelling and interviews with locals, Bellos fully captures the essence of what makes Brazil's Beautiful Game so spectacular. Explore the role that soccer has played in the lives and history of Brazilians, as well as the country's flamboyance and innovation. In 2022, it still proves to be a must-read for soccer fans everywhere.

This book explores the fascinating story of soccer legend David Beckham's 2007 move to the Los Angeles Galaxy, with unprecedented access to the team and exclusive interviews with Beckham, his teammates, and manager. Author Grant Wahl delves into the inner circle of the experiment, revealing the clashes, gambles, and expectations that surrounded the high-profile player's move to American soccer. It's an engaging behind-the-scenes look at the cultural and professional sports collision that followed, with insights into Beckham's relationships with teammates and behind-the-scenes management.

Explore the global phenomenon of soccer with this definitive book. From chaotic folk ritual to the world's most popular sport, discover the cultural and social impact of soccer on modern societies. Delve into its universal rules and geographical scope, and learn about its role in political and social history. And at its heart, never lose sight of the beauty, joy, and excitement of the game itself.