15 Best Football Books Every Fan Should Read
Today we bring you a new list of the best football books, a market that is much larger than one might initially think. We should also point out that biographies will not be included here (those will be covered another time), so we'll only have fiction, research, analysis, and other such works. We've prepared a list that mixes some well-known works with some personal recommendations that deserve a chance. The truth is, several great books didn't make the cut, but the books listed here are, in our opinion, among the best.
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Soccernomics by Simon Kuper and Stefan Szymanski
The full title of the first edition of the book, whose original version came out in 2009, includes "Why England Loses, Why Germany and Brazil Win, and Why the U.S., Japan, Australia, Turkey-and Even Iraq-Are Destined to Become the Kings of the World's Most Popular Sport," which perfectly describes the book's focus. Soccernomics seeks to explain football and why certain teams win, through various aspects such as economic, social, and even psychological factors.It is often said that the book is the football version of Moneyball. The way it delves into various topics related to the inner workings of the sport can generate enormous interest among football fans. The 2022 version adds other topics such as racism in football and the player transfer system, going into considerable depth on these and other elements that ultimately influence the fate of teams.
Goodreads rating: 3.95
Brilliant Orange: The Neurotic Genius of Dutch Football by David Winner
This is a fascinating book, to say the least, as it's written by an Englishman recounting a bit of the history of Dutch football. Brilliant Orange, published in 2000, tells the story of the explosion and internationalization of football in the Netherlands during the 1960s, when Rinus Michels implemented the style of play that would be defined as Total Football at Ajax and later with the national team, taking the country's football to unprecedented levels. The book traces the history of football in the land of tulips and how, in parallel, this gradually redefined Dutch culture itself.Goodreads rating: 4.05
How Football Explains the World by Franklin Foer
Published in 2004, within a different global context, the book draws parallels between football and various social, economic, and political phenomena on an international level. Topics such as sectarian conflicts, migration, and corruption in the handling of money, among others, are addressed by Franklin Foer throughout the work.Despite being over two decades old, the book contains several elements that remain perfectly relevant and applicable today, in addition to offering a new perspective on the sport and what it reflects about society. Perhaps the most general theme, and the one most frequently touched upon in the book, is globalization and how it manifests itself in football in a way that is not seen in any other field, at least not in such a well-known and public way.
Goodreads rating: 3.79
Åshöjdens BK by Max Lundgren
This is a slight exception since it is actually a series of four novels, the first of which was published in 1967, and tells the story of a small Swedish club that climbs the ranks of Swedish football, achieving something remarkable by reaching a very high level. It's a fictional story reminiscent of real-life football stories like those of Bournemouth, Wimbledon, or Leicester City.Goodreads rating: 3.59 to 3.82
The Miracle of Castel di Sangro by Joe McGinniss
The full book title is "The Miracle of Castel di Sangro: A Tale of Passion and Folly in the Heart of Italy" and to provide some context, Castel di Sangro is a small club that has spent its history bouncing around the non-professional leagues of Italian football. However, in 1996, they were promoted to Serie B, the highest level the club has ever reached. The author, Joe McGinniss, is an American who decided to spend that year in Italy to follow Castel di Sangro's season and, despite not being a football fan, became deeply involved in the club's history. McGinniss immersed himself in the culture of the team and Italian football, and he recounts his entire experience, both his own and that of the club, in the book. It is noteworthy that Castel di Sangro managed to avoid relegation that year.Goodreads rating: 4.22
Broken Dreams: Vanity, Greed and the Souring of British Football by Tom Bower
The book was published in 2003 and was the culmination of research by its author, Tom Bower, who, while not a sports journalist, decided to delve into the world of English football and expose many of the shady dealings that occur behind the scenes, ironically at a time when the Premier League was beginning to achieve global reach. The book features prominent figures in English football, such as Terry Venables and Harry Redknapp, among many others, and exposes many of these individuals and how they exploit the sport to make vast sums of money. The book shows a side of football that may arouse a lot of interest in both football fans and the general public.Goodreads rating: 3.59
Football Against the Enemy by Simon Kuper
Simon Kuper traveled to many countries to learn about local football through interviews with players, managers, fans, and others, exploring how the culture of each region influences the sport and vice versa. The book was written in the 1990s, during a very particular global political context (notably the Yugoslav Wars), and this had a significant impact on the football of each region. Examples of this include the religious influence on Old Firm, the Scottish derby between Celtic and Rangers, and how Barcelona is a kind of symbol of Catalan independence, reflected in many aspects of the club, including away kits that have featured designs based on the Catalan flag. Something that (unintentionally) enhances the book is its focus on football before the sport's globalization, allowing it to capture the essence of each country mentioned in the book, which is quite extensive and spread across 22 chapters.Goodreads rating: 3.95
The Ball is Round: A Global History of Football by David Goldblatt
Published in 2006, this book traces the history of football from its earliest days to its current status as a global phenomenon (or rather, the phenomenon it already was at the beginning of the 21st century), while simultaneously exploring how the world has changed. It's a fascinating overview, featuring some of the greatest players in history, such as Pelé and Maradona, and legendary teams like Hungary's Magical Magyars and Brazil's 1970s era. The book also explores other football-related topics, including stadium architecture and its evolution, as well as changes in boots and balls. While it may sound like an encyclopedia, Goldblatt also discusses how football is used in various ways, particularly in political contexts.Goodreads rating: 4.18
Calcio: A History of Italian Football by John Foot
Although the title suggests it, this book is a bit more than just a review of Italian football history; it goes further, exploring the entire football scene in the country. It greatly helps readers learn about many key figures in Italian football and understand what football represents for Italians, as well as explaining how it influences many aspects of the country. The book doesn't shy away from some of the darker episodes in Italian football, such as match-fixing or the role of ultras.Goodreads rating: 4.18
The Mixer: The Story of Premier League Tactics, from Route One to False Nines by Michael Cox
The birth of the Premier League in 1992 was a pivotal moment for club football worldwide, given the league's significance over the decades and its role as a leading force for other leagues around the globe. The book, published in 2017 (the Premier League's 25th anniversary), explores the evolution of tactics at the highest level of English football, tracing the progression from the classic 4-4-2 formation, route one style, and two tall strikers up front, to the styles that would later define teams like Keegan's Newcastle, Ferguson's Manchester United, Wenger's Arsenal, and Mourinho's Chelsea, to name just a few. It's a fascinating read for anyone interested in the tactical aspects of the game.Goodreads rating: 4.37
The Numbers Game: Why Everything You Know About Soccer is Wrong by Chris Anderson and David Sally
This is a very particular work, as its main focus is on the use of statistics for football analysis, especially since it was published in 2013, when this approach was less common than it is today, with Big Data playing a crucial role in the world's major football leagues and competitions. It's not a Moneyball novel-that is, it doesn't have an overarching plot-but neither is it a step-by-step guide to using statistics. It's simply a book that helps to understand certain parameters of this trend through chapters that explain specific points.Goodreads rating: 3.72
Inverting the Pyramid: The History of Football Tactics by Jonathan Wilson
Perhaps we're talking about the definitive football book, and I'm not exaggerating. Jonathan Wilson reviews the history of world football through the tactics of many of the greatest teams ever. The author uses images of tactical formations to make his already quite clear explanations more visual, especially for understanding the first chapters that cover football from the late 19th and early 20th centuries - an era little known to most football fans. However, Wilson doesn't focus solely on tactics; he also draws connections between the evolution of football and the global context, making this work, which is part of global football culture, even more captivating. Another noteworthy aspect is that the author explores a wide range of opposing tactics and ideas without taking sides or declaring one correct or better than another.Goodreads rating: 4.14
The Bottom Corner: A Season with the Dreamers of Non-League Football by Nige Tassell
While many football books focus on top-level football, The Bottom Corner takes us into the non-league, where the author visits several clubs in that category over the course of a season. The book offers insight into football at this level and is sure to change the perception of the non-league for those unfamiliar with it. Far removed from the glitz and glamour, the excessive professionalism, and even the lack of personal connection that can exist at the highest level, these non-league clubs have a more approachable and familial atmosphere, which is reflected in The Bottom Corner.Goodreads rating: 4.23
El 11 de América by Daniel Chapela
Here we present a title that is not widely known, but whose recommendation is worth highlighting here. It may be unfamiliar to many, but if given a chance, they may find it very interesting. The only limitation is the language (Spanish), as I'm not sure if an English version exists. Leaving that aside, El 11 de América (America's Eleven) takes us on a journey through the careers of eleven Latin American players, each from a different country, showcasing eleven personalities and stories. Each story comes from interviews conducted by the author with each protagonist, who, at the time, were arguably the biggest football stars in their respective countries.Goodreads rating: 4.00
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Nick Hornby
Fever Pitch by Nick Hornby
Finally, we are making a small exception to what we said at the beginning of this article when we made it clear that biographies wouldn't be included. This is, however, a unique case since it is not the biography of a player or manager, but rather that of a fan, and it is also written in a fictionalised form. Nick Hornby, the author, tells his personal story through his relationship with the football club he supports, Arsenal.The book is structured around a match per chapter, where Hornby recounts his connection to the club from the stands while simultaneously sharing his personal stories. It's a book that any fan can relate to (and perhaps that's why it has sold so many copies), as it shows the perspective of a fan of a club and how this shapes a person's life.
Goodreads rating: 3.78
The Books Ranked by Ratings
To close this list, we are listing the books with the highest Goodreads ratings. These are the five highest-rated books among the titles featured here:- The Mixer: The Story of Premier League Tactics, from Route One to False Nines by Michael Cox - 4.37
- The Bottom Corner: A Season with the Dreamers of Non-League Football by Nige Tassell - 4.23
- The Miracle of Castel di Sangro by Joe McGinniss - 4.22
- The Ball is Round: A Global History of Football by David Goldblatt - 4.18
- Calcio: A History of Italian Football by John Foot - 4.18
Please note that the Goodreads ratings are from the time this text was written and that they may change over time.