The Ultimate Companion to A Beautiful Game

This new Rough Guide is the only soccer book of its kind. It uncovers the most amazing stories and the unlikeliest personalities on Planet Football, both past and present, that help to make soccer the greatest show on earth.

We reveal the stories behind the mavericks and cult figures who make up the real heroes of the game — from cultured midfielders to jailbirds, drinkers to straight arrows, local legends to international wanderers. The book showcases an amazing and unusual roll-call of talent that stretches from Ferenc Puskas to Stan Bowles, Eric Cantona to Jose Chilavert and Garrincha to Perry Groves.

Throughout, we run our eye over the special clubs — from the New York Cosmos to Berwick Rangers and Estudiantes; managers and football rivalries — from 'El Clásico' to the Faroe Islands derby; and recall extraordinary games from 'The Battle of Highbury' to underdog fixtures where the likes of Northern Ireland, Wimbledon, and Dynamo Kiev overcame the might of Spain, Liverpool, and the Nazis.

Post-match analyses of football culture, ephemera, science, and some strange statistics, complete this ultimate fiesta of football fun.

"Ain't it great to be alive' All you need is the green grass and a ball"

-Pele