Messi: The must-read biography of the World Cup champion, now fully updated (Guillem Balague's Books)

Grandson loved it

Excellent read

A great read which goes into a lot of details.

I was waiting for this book to go on sale and the moment it did I ordered it as I thought my son would love this for a Xmas present but I've just opened it and it feels as though the book was owned before. It doesn't feel like a crisp new book does. The photos don't do it justice really its battered all along the edges and doesn't look new. Bit disappointed 🙁

I bought this book to read on holiday. I'm a big fan of Messi on the pitch - not only his incredible talent but the way he conducts himself. No diving, no histrionics - that's what makes him the best for me. Ronaldo for example doesn't always set a great example with his conduct on the pitch. I knew Guillem Balague from his excellent punditry on the Sky Sports coverage of Spanish football but hadn't read his work as a journalist/author before. He expertly chronicles the story of Messi from a young age to the World's best footballer. It is clear Balague did incredible research and conducted many interviews to build the full picture of Messi's life with his family and as a footballer. The book is fantastically written and as much of a pleasure to read as it is to watch this incredible talent on the place he calls home - the football pitch. A must read for any fan of the wonderful game.

Spelling mistake on the first page! The whole book is littered with them, Guillem you need a better sub editor! The book is also rather long and meandering. You soon get bored of constant quotes from people talking about the first time they saw Messi play and how it took their breath away. I feel bad being so critical of this book - the author is an outstanding journalist with superb contacts and there's a lot of research in this book. I have read his book on Ronaldo which is far, far better.

was a decent kindle purchase for a few quid. glad to see content going up to the start of the '22 season. hope it gets updated with a qatar world cup chapter

Brilliant

I am real madrid fan and curiosity got me to read this more than anything. I was 16 when Messi made his debut and I remember watching it. I was nervous as I had just spent the last few months arguing on a Internet forum that was not going to amount to anything. That he was another Saviola. Oh how I was wrong. Anyway this is a superb read for any fan of football. This book gives you a look into the mind of Messi, you grow up with him getting kicked all round rosario. You get to feel the anguish an disappointment when he is forced to leave to europe. The journey takes you on through Europe starting as the foreigner nobody could talk to and finishing with the one of the greatest players to ever play. At one point in this book, Messi had been called up for a game for the first team. A lot of the senior players where away on international match. Messi was on the bench and I kept saying to myself 'please bring him on, please' it was surreal here I am a man of 27 who has never met messi but from this book I felt like I have know him all my life and I knew how upset he would have been and from hindsight how he was going to smash. Great read. Hala Madrid.

Good👍

Lots of info. Pictures. Interviews. Lots

Very thorough insite into the life of Messi. One of the greatest soccer players.

I’m a Messi fan and I loved this book.. so great.