Americans call the game “soccer,” while the rest of the world dubs it “football.” Whatever it’s called, fans know their names: Maradona. Beckham. Ronaldo. Messi. Diego Maradona’s career formed while he was only a child kicking a ball in the slums of Buenos Aires. He became a legend during the World Cup tournament in 1986 and was named FIFA Player of the 20th Century. David Beckham dreamed of playing for Manchester United and England and grew into a worldwide sex symbol, style icon, celebrity husband and father, and international brand. Cristiano Ronaldo dos Santos Aveiro rose from poverty in Portugal to wear the number seven worn by Beckham. His speed, footwork, and skills as a forward and a winger made him one of the sport’s most respected players. One of the youngest ever to play the game professionally, Lionel Messi, proudly sporting the coveted number 10 worn by Maradona and Pele’ on his jersey, holds five Ballon d’Ors and a meritorious achievement award from FIFA. Their stories inspire us and teach us the meaning of hard work and dedication.

Soccer fans debate endlessly about which player is the GOAT, or the greatest of all time. Many fans argue over which modern-day superstar, Ronaldo or Messi, deserves to be called the best. Others insist that legendary players, such as Beckham or Pele, were the best to play the sport. Everyone has their favorite, but it is difficult to compare players from different teams and eras. Using basic and intermediate math principles, readers will explore statistics and compare each player's accomplishments. With these tools, readers will learn how to successfully use statistics to back up their favorite star.

A Financial Times Sports Books of the Year. Cristiano and Leo is the fascinating account of the lives and rivalry between two of the best footballers to ever play the game, Ronaldo and Messi, by Jimmy Burns the bestselling author of Maradona: The Hand of God. The rivalry between Ronaldo and Messi has defined football to a generation of fans – everyone has an opinion on who is the greatest. Do you prefer Ronaldo whose work ethic and physique have been honed for one purpose – scoring goals. Or Messi, whose superhuman natural talent means he can do the seemingly impossible with a football. Between them they have scored over 1300 goals, won the Ballon d’Or ten times, and taken the beautiful game to even greater heights. But statistics alone cannot do justice to their skill, athleticism and dedication to stay at the top for so long of one of the most competitive sports in the world. Cristiano and Leo tells their definitive story, from children kicking a ball halfway around the world from each other to facing each other in the epic clash El Clásico, between Real Madrid and Barcelona. This is the essential book to understand one the most compelling rivalries in sporting history.

UPDATED TO INCLUDE THE 2018 WORLD CUP The story of one of the greatest footballers of all time, Barcelona and Argentina's Lionel Messi. 'I have seen the player who will inherit my place in Argentine football and his name is Messi' Diego Maradona Despite all the fame and adulation, remarkably little is known about Lionel Messi, the modest and intensely private footballing genius. Just how did the boy from Rosario, Argentina, become the world's greatest player? Guillem Balague has had unprecedented access to Messi's inner circle: his coaches, team-mates and family. In addition, Pep Guardiola has provided exclusive analysis of the player. The result is an authoritative and compelling account of the wonderful mystery that is Messi. 'I can tell my grandkids one day that I coached Lionel Messi' Pep Guardiola

In this fact-filled biography, readers learn about the career of World Cup soccer start Lionel Messi, from his childhood and early sports endeavors to his establishment as a living legend, including all the trials and triumphs along the way.

Captain Stormy Daniels faces off against the forces of an alien civilization bent on destroying the Earth! Can Stormy and her companions, DAS, Miki, Cam, and Munch, save the United Republic of Earth from the diabolical and sexy Red Queen? And what's the secret behind President-for-Life OrDon's power? All will be revealed - if Stormy survives.

The definitive award-winning biography of Cristiano Ronaldo - fully updated to include the 2022 World Cup, Ronaldo's explosive exit from Manchester United and his record-breaking transfer to Al-Nassr As the Qatar World Cup opened to worldwide jubilation, Cristiano Ronaldo's second spell at Manchester United reached an abrupt conclusion. It was not to be the fairy tale ending to a glittering career. Instead, over the two seasons, it had snowballed into a toxic standoff between himself, the board and newly appointed manager, Erik ten Hag. The Theatre's dream was over. On 22 November 2022, Ronaldo's contract was terminated. In this compelling account, Guillem Balagué draws on impeccable sources, first-hand interviews and unprecedented access, taking us on a journey from Madeira to Manchester, and onto Spain, Italy and Saudi Arabia. From Ronaldo's tutelage under Sir Alex Ferguson to becoming the biggest galáctico of them all at Real Madrid, and captaining Portugal to the first silverware in their history at the UEFA Euro 2016, Guillem chronicles Ronaldo's career in its entirety. This is nothing less than the definitive portrait of a true icon of modern football, who has reached the very heights of the beautiful game and cemented his place as one of the greatest players of all time.