Messi: The must-read biography of the World Cup champion (Guillem Balague’s Books)

‘I have seen the player who will inherit my place in Argentine football and his name is Messi’ Diego Maradona

FULLY UPDATED TO INCLUDE THE 2022 WORLD CUP TRIUMPH & MESSI’S TRANSFER TO INTER MIAMI

As Lionel Messi raised the World Cup triumphantly into the air, the world watched on in awe. Messi’s final peak conquered; his final dream achieved. It was the fairy tale ending to a glittering career. Yet despite delivering Argentina their third World Cup, Messi’s time at Paris Saint-Germain came to a dramatic conclusion, and Miami awaited the Argentinian legend.

Guillem Balagué has had unprecedented access to Messi’s inner circle including the player himself: his coaches, team-mates and family. From tracing the origins of Messi’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 long-desired move to the MLS. This is an epic, authoritative and compelling account of an enigmatic footballing genius.

‘I can tell my grandkids one day that I coached Lionel Messi’ Pep Guardiola

Review

You may know a lot of the Messi legend already, but his is still a fascinating backstory. ― Four Four Two

There’s certainly some interesting insight and information…particularly Balague’s understanding of Argentinian politics, culture and mores. …The book glows with extended testimonies from those who ever coached or mentored Messi. — David Stubbs ― WHEN SATURDAY COMES

Book Description

The story of one of the greatest footballers of all time, Argentina’s Lionel Messi. Updated to include the inside story of his dramatic transfer from Barcelona to PSG and his first season at the club.

About the Author

Guillem Balague is a Spanish football journalist, prizewinning author and pundit, first for Sky Sports and now for BBC Radio 5 Live. He is the author of A SEASON ON THE BRINK – A PORTRAIT OF RAFA BENITEZ’S LIVERPOOL (2006); the first biography of PEP GUARDIOLA (2012); MESSI (2013); CRISTIANO RONALDO (2015), the Football Book of the Year at the Cross Sports Book Awards; and the bestselling Brave New World – INSIDE POCHETTINO’S SPURS (2017). He is chairman of non-league Biggleswade FC, and lives in Hitchin in Hertfordshire.

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