9 Great Soccer Books You Should Read

Soccer provides all the on-field drama an author should ever need to craft an exciting and thrilling piece of literature. 

By devising memorable characters or fascinating concepts around the beloved game, a writer has all the elements needed to create truly insight filled and impactful soccer reads. 

Here are 9 great soccer books you should read.

9. Blitzball

Receiving favorable reviews for its unique take on soccer, Barton Ludwig’s 2018 book Blitzball tells the story of a teenage boy who discovers he was cloned to be Hitler. Now he must fight his genes, family, and upbringing in order to choose a different path in a school where soccer symbolizes war! 

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8. How Soccer Explains The World 

American journalist Franklin Foer created How Soccer Explains The World in 2004. The book takes readers on a journey from stadium to stadium around the globe in an attempt to shed new light on today’s world events from both a political and economic standpoint. It also explores the connections of how Soccer explains the effects of globalisation on society as a whole.

7. Pele: The Autobiography

From the mind of perhaps the greatest soccer player to have ever graced the game comes Pele: The Autobiography. First published back in 1977, this work accounts the full story of the Brazilian legend’s unbelievable life and spectacular career. Pele’s writings cover all aspects of his playing time and diverse careers as a politician and international ambassador.

6. All Played Out: The Full Story Of Italia ‘90

All Played Out: The Full Story Of Italia ‘90 retells journalist Pete Davies’ first-hand experience of England’s heroic and famous World Cup campaign. It includes insight from the players themselves along with hooligans, agents and fans alike! The book follows a nine-month period in which Davies was granted full access to the England squad and their manager Bobby Robson.

5. Brilliant Orange: The Neurotic Genius Of Dutch Football

David Winner’s Brilliant Orange: The Neurotic Genius Of Dutch Football celebrates The Netherlands as one of the world’s most distinctive historic soccer teams ever. This work follows their birth as a soccer nation in the 60’s and through two decades of World Cup disappointments. This story explores a range of Dutch masters and the culture that ultimately created them.

4. Soccernomics

From the brains of authors Simon Kuper and Stefan Szyman comes Soccernomics. A book that tackles the range of questions every soccer fan has asked. Using insights and analogies from the world of economics to analysing statistics, psychology and business, it casts a light on how the game works and reveals the often surprising truths about soccer.

3. The Damned United

David Pearce’s amazingly inventive novel The Damned United tells the tale of eccentric soccer manager Brian Clough and his journey taking over at the country’s most revered and successful club in 1970’s Leeds United. The novel centres around his battle to make the ageing and head strong team click or face them breaking him instead.

2. Inventing The Pyramid

Inventing The Pyramid: The History Of Football Tactics is writer Jonathan Wilson’s exploration of the tactical intricacies of the beautiful game. Along the way, he delves into the lives of great players and thinkers who have shaped the sport and discovers why the English prove stubborn in trying new things tactically. 

1. Fever Pitch

First published in 1992, Fever Pitch is author Nick Hornby’s memoir about his relationship with soccer, in particular Arsenal. The story follows Hornby as a childhood fan through to his early thirties. Each chapter details a match he remembers watching and how it related to the events in his life at the time. Fever Pitch sold over a million copies in the United Kingdom!