Messi

Guillem Balagué has for a long time been the definitive voice on all matters involving Spanish football. This weighty, well informed, access all areas tome on Leo Messi probably the greatest player we have ever seen is nothing short of a masterpiece and every bit as good, if not better, than his superb, biography of Pep Guardiola. What stands out above all is the level of detail revealed by Balagué and the endless number of people, from Messi's first schoolfriends and teachers to his immediate family that were prepared to talk with him about the Argentinian maestro. That so many people were prepared to grant their time to talk about Messi is just tribute, to the trust and confidence placed in Balagué by both the player himself and his family. Unfailingly gripping, often moving, yet never sycophantic the book weighs in at around 650 pages and will unquestionably go down as the definitive assessment of the genius that is Leo Messi. Unquestionably one of the best sports books I have ever read

Immersing, gripping, behind the scenes account of arguably the greatest player in football history. His story is told in an honest and respectful series of first hand interviews from those closest to the man himself.Over 600 pages of well structured detail that's seamlessly written and flows off the pages. Worthy of the name and does justice for the genius that is Leo Messi.

Did this book in 2 separate attempts. Balague does some meticulous research and you feel that he is afraid not waste a quote/interview. That said it was worth persevering through some of the early chapters to the best parts of the book which were Messi's relationship with Guardiola and how the most successful Barca team depended on that and also his troubles with the Argentine national team. Heavy going at over 640 pages but worth it in the end.

this is brilliant easily the best sports biography i've ever read. The insight you get into Messi's early life is amazing and my favorite part of the book. Recommend it to any football fan young or old, and the same thing goes for the Ronaldo biography by Guillem as well, but if you had to choose one this is the better one far more expansive.

One of, if not THE greatest to ever play the game. Most certainly the greatest footballer I've ever seen play. This book is brilliant; informative from beginning to end, the rise of Lionel Messi is thoroughly engrossing. Much praise to Guillem Balague also for an exceptional book.

a good gift for a kid. motivating to work on yourself.

Balague's book contains pretty much everything you need to know about the mercurial little Argentine. It is generally well written and packs a number of entertaining stories about Leo. Readers will certainly not feel short changed, particularly if they are fans of Barca, for the recent history of the club is intertwined with that of Messi.While a good read, the book is often repetitive and flogs incidents in Messi's life to the extreme. This is reflected by Balague sometimes quoting a long list of characters telling the same story as the man/ woman before them. Furthermore, the book gives accounts of the most significant matches in the players career and while it is important to reference these in a biography, I feel it is a little tedious to list every kick, tackle and shot made in these matches (especially those not by Messi!). For these reasons Balague's book can bore a little at times.Despite its imperfections, this biography is a decent read and goes some way to helping you understand the character of this little legend! Buy it, but be prepared to flick through often.

I purchased this for my son who is an avid follower of football. It is a great book. Highly recommend!

une belle histoire au delà du fric et du football pognon un artiste du ballon qui a grandi grâce au ballon rondJean-Pierre Meylan Puplinge

Alles gut

Great book

As a mother of an eleven year old son who plays soccer on a competition soccer team and has for several years now. Messi is someone who was introduced to me because of him. This year in sixth grade he had an assignment for a production they have done for many many years at his school in sixth grade called the "Wax Museum". Each student needs to read a biography or auto biography on a person who has impacted their life and the world in a positive way. Then on the day the assignment is due all the students dress up as the person they chose and spend the day in the GYM hence "Wax Museum". All the other students in the school come in during their assigned times and get to ask questions from the students participating in the wax museum. This was our book for this assignment and we have enjoyed reading this together. My son learned many new things about Messi, but most of all it assisted him in seeing Messi as a real person and that with hard work, determination, and talent you can achieve your goals & dreams.

Excellent stuff. Its written in a queer style and it takes some time to getting used to But it goes deep into the life of Messi thru forensic research and interviews. Eye opening accounts on the insane struggles and hardships his family has gone thru.Best parts are on Guardiola and Messi Argentina days though. And it offers plenty of juicy anecdotes on his life tooFor instance, did you know that the greatest player on planet regularly vomits before matches?