Messi Paperback – December 1, 2014

Good book and need update on the 2022 world cup win.

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.

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.

I have not finished the book yet but the first few pages will leave you begging for more. Reading about Messi's childhood, his trials and humble beginnings will leave a trail of tears for each page you turn. You can't help but feel for Messi as a young child uprooted from his home in Rosario and the sacrifices he made to reach his dreams. I doubt even he knew the success he has now. It's amazing to know and watch a football genius rise to greatness. His reserve nature, his humility despite his accolades is just refreshing to witness. Seeing him succeed is like seeing a family or a close friend and thus you can't help but feel happy for the guy. And when he loses like the way Argentina lost in the world cup this year, it's heartbreaking and almost unbearable to witness Messi's sullen face. I love reading autobiographies and this by far would be one of my favorites.Oh and of course, amazon delivery is by far the best!

I have read through the first chapter and it is only the 20% of the book. Given the story in this chapter speaks about the struggle and disadvantage of a child that has to go through shots everyday, it doesn't look any different compared to other kids in latin-America. One thing out of question is the talent he has and all the people quoted in the chapter converge on this topic.I personally find the narrative too repetitive, it describes the same point in many different ways and always finishes with the same conclusion, so after two or three descriptions it gets boring. I guess removing them won't hurt and it'll be a slimmer book. Guillem is a good journalist I follow in his interventions on Radio and TV.

Captured the human angle of Leo and his family’s struggle in a very poignant manner. We all know the story yet learnt a bit more of the emotions here. Well done Gaillum

Ehhh, lots of minutia to read through. Lots of names and people to remember. Not enough talk about him actually playing in different games around the globe. Not what I expected. Messi is awesome and the best player in the world today. The book about him is just sort of ok.

What is the difference with the paperback book that says fully updated and hardcover that does not? I bought the hard cover and publication says March 1st and paperback says Dec 1st. There seems to be no fully updated hardcover. Is there much difference or should return the hardcover for a fully updated paperback? Thanks.

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.

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

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.

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.

Bought this for my son’s Christmas and he was delighted with it. Good price.