Did you enjoy the spectacular summer of sport that played out between June and August across Europe? Love it or hate it, there was no getting away from professional sports with reports, reviews, and interviews online in newspapers and a popular topic in conversation. The Euro 2024 kicked things up back in June as the best teams arrived in Germany, dreaming of being crowned champions of the continent. England began as the early favorite with online sportsbook EveryGame, but the Three Lions lost to Spain in the final. Host nation Germany was eliminated by the eventual champions, who created a new record for European titles won.
As soon as Team Spain collected the trophy, attention turned to Paris for the Summer Olympic Games. The USA ended four weeks in Paris as the star attraction after topping the medal table with a return of 40 golds, 44 silvers, and 42 bronze medals. China was in second place with a combined 91 medals, and Japan was third with 45. Team GB posted 65 medals with 14 golds, ensuring another top-10 finish. The wheels are now in motion for the 2028 Olympic Games held in Los Angeles, known as LA28.
Did the Euros and Olympic Games inspire you to play a more active role in sports? You may have caught the bug and are ready to join a gym or a local sports team. If your playing days are firmly in the past, you could volunteer at a local gym, pledge to watch more sports live on television, visit a new stadium, or even target a profit by making predictions on the Premier League.
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With the English Premier League returning to our screens this weekend, football fans are on high alert. The coming campaign promises to be the most exciting and unpredictable in living memory, with at least five teams boasting a realistic chance of winning the title. Manchester United will host Fulham at Old Trafford from 20:00 GMT in a match you can watch live on television. Will the Red Devils beat the Cottagers?
While we await the curtain raiser at the Theatre of Dreams, our sports fans and guest content writer, Frank Monkhouse, share with you some football autobiographies worth reading ahead of the new season. Browse the list, find your favorite, and settle down with a good book while you enjoy behind-the-scenes access to the planet’s most popular sport.
We’ve got something to suit every football fan and reader, including a super-confident Swede with the skills to back it up and the game’s most celebrated coach, who rose from the hard streets of Glasgow to win a European trophy.
“I Am Zlatan Ibrahimović” by Zlatan Ibrahimović
“I Am Zlatan Ibrahimović,” the autobiography of the Swedish football superstar Zlatan Ibrahimović, is one of the most popular and best-selling soccer books of all time. Written in collaboration with the Swedish journalist David Lagercrantz, the book was originally published in 2011 and has since been translated into numerous languages, resonating with a global audience.
The autobiography is as unique and larger-than-life as Zlatan himself. Known for his confidence, charisma, and controversial statements, Zlatan’s book is an unfiltered look at his journey from the tough streets of Malmö to becoming one of the world’s most celebrated footballers. The book covers his time at some of the biggest clubs in the world, including Ajax, Juventus, Inter Milan, Barcelona, AC Milan, Paris Saint-Germain, and Manchester United.
What makes “I Am Zlatan Ibrahimović” stand out is its raw honesty. Zlatan talks openly about his struggles growing up in a rough neighborhood, his complicated relationship with his father, and his constant battle to prove himself in a sport dominated by more traditional figures. His candid reflections on his clashes with coaches, especially Pep Guardiola at Barcelona, provide a fascinating insight into the mind of a player who never shied away from controversy.
“My Life in Football” by Sir Alex Ferguson
Sir Alex Ferguson, the legendary manager of Manchester United, is one of the most respected and successful figures in football history. His autobiography, “My Life in Football,” was published in 2013 and quickly became a best-seller. It offers a comprehensive account of his remarkable career that spanned over four decades.
The book delves into Ferguson’s early life in Glasgow, his playing days, and his managerial career, most notably his 27-year tenure at Manchester United, where he won an astonishing 38 trophies, including 13 Premier League titles and two UEFA Champions League titles. Ferguson’s management style, characterized by his discipline, tactical understanding, and ability to rebuild successful teams, is explored in depth, providing readers with invaluable lessons on leadership and management.
One of the highlights of the autobiography is Ferguson’s candid discussion of his relationships with some of the biggest names in football, including David Beckham, Cristiano Ronaldo, Eric Cantona, and Wayne Rooney. He also offers his perspective on some of the most significant moments in Manchester United’s history, such as the dramatic 1999 Champions League final and his decision to retire in 2013.
“My Life in Football” is more than just a recounting of matches and trophies; it is a deep exploration of the man behind the legend, his philosophy, and the experiences that shaped him into one of the greatest football managers of all time.
“My Turn: The Autobiography” by Johan Cruyff
Johan Cruyff is widely regarded as one of the greatest footballers and most influential thinkers in the sport’s history. His autobiography, “My Turn,” published posthumously in 2016, offers an intimate look at the life and career of a man who revolutionized football as a player and as a coach.
Cruyff’s book takes readers through his early years in Amsterdam, his rise to fame with Ajax and the Dutch national team, and his legendary time at FC Barcelona, where he became a symbol of the club’s identity and philosophy. “My Turn” also delves into his time as a manager, where he laid the foundations for Barcelona’s success in the 21st century by developing the style of play known as “Total Football.”
One of the most compelling aspects of “My Turn” is Cruyff’s philosophical approach to football. He shares his thoughts on the importance of creativity, intelligence, and teamwork in the game, as well as how these principles shaped his career and his approach to coaching.