Okay, so I got really into football biographies lately. It wasn’t like a sudden thing, more like I watched a documentary, maybe it was about an old player, and thought, “Huh, I wonder what his real story was.” You know how documentaries can sometimes just skim the surface.
So, the first thing I did was just hit the internet. Typed in “best football biographies”. Obviously, tons of lists popped up. Like, way too many. Everyone has an opinion, right? Some lists were clearly just trying to sell books, others felt a bit random.
I realized I needed a better plan. Just reading random lists wasn’t getting me anywhere solid. I decided to think about what I actually wanted. Was I interested in specific players? Managers? Maybe certain clubs or eras?
Getting Specific
I figured starting with players I really admired or found intriguing was the way to go. So, I made a short list in my head: older legends, maybe a couple of controversial figures, and some modern guys.
Then, instead of just “best football biographies”, I started searching for things like “Roy Keane biography review” or “Johan Cruyff book honest”. This helped filter out the generic lists. I started reading actual reviews from regular people on book sites or forums. You get a better feel for whether a book is just PR fluff or actually digs deep.
I also asked a couple of mates who are big readers and football fans. One of them recommended a specific Zlatan Ibrahimović book, said it was brutally honest and funny. Another pointed me towards Sir Alex Ferguson’s stuff, saying you gotta read the manager’s perspective too.
Hitting the Books (Literally)
Armed with a few solid recommendations, I actually went looking for the books. Checked the local library first – saved some money that way. They had a couple I was interested in. For the others, I looked online, found some decent second-hand copies. Didn’t want to spend a fortune right away.
So I started reading. The first one I picked up, I think it was one about George Best, was brilliant. Really painted a picture of the time, the good and the bad. Another one, about a more modern player, felt a bit… polished. Like it was written by their agent. That’s the thing, you quickly learn what makes a good biography for you. For me, it’s the honesty, the insight you wouldn’t get anywhere else, and decent writing that doesn’t feel like a Wikipedia page.
My Finds So Far
It’s an ongoing process, really. But here are a few that I’ve gone through and genuinely thought were great, for different reasons:
- Andrea Pirlo – I Think Therefore I Play: Just cool, different. Not your typical footballer book.
- Fever Pitch by Nick Hornby: Okay, not strictly a biography, but man, it captures being a fan perfectly. Had to include it.
- Sir Alex Ferguson – My Autobiography: You just have to, don’t you? Loads of insight into managing at the top.
- Zlatan Ibrahimović – I Am Zlatan: Exactly what my mate said. Outspoken, funny, very Zlatan.
- Roy Keane – The Second Half (with Roddy Doyle): Brutally honest, doesn’t hold back. Really enjoyed his voice coming through.
So yeah, that’s been my journey into football biographies. Started messy, got a bit more focused, and found some real gems along the way. It’s all about figuring out what you like and digging past the obvious stuff. Still got a pile I want to get through.
