Men in Blazers Present Gods of Soccer - by Roger Bennett & Michael Davies & Miranda Davis (Hardcover)

About the Book

"From the hosts of the popular NBC Sports show Men in Blazers and one of the biggest soccer podcasts in the world, Roger Bennett and Michael Davies will profile the greatest male and female soccer players of all time. With the same signature humor as they brought to their New York Times Bestseller Encyclopedia Blazertannica, Bennett and Davis will feature a mini biography, fun facts and an illustrated or photographic portrait of both new and legendary soccer players, from Pelâe, Maradona, and Messi to Mia Hamm, Marta, and Megan Rapinoe. In their one-of-a-kind laugh out loud style and schtick, the guys will tell the stories of triumph, skill, and tenacity, experienced by household names like David Beckham and Alex Morgan, along with lesser-known icons such as Garrincha, the Brazilian star of the 1960's who was born with one leg six inches shorter than the other and Briana Scurry, who trail-blazed a path for young, black, soccer-playing women. Collectively, these stories will create a comprehensive history of soccer-its evolution and growth-as told by the lives of the legends of the game and the way their play transformed the world of soccer itself"--

Book Synopsis

From the hosts of the popular podcast and tv show Men in Blazers, comes their completely scientific, 100% definitive, defend-to-the-death list of the greatest soccer players of all time.

Every fan has their own list of the 100 soccer players they consider the greatest ever to play the game. A list based on triumphs, sublime moments of skill, superhuman tenacity, and telenovela-esque backstories. To the list-maker, that 100 feels objective. Unequivocal. An absolute truth.

This is one such list.

Written with the same signature Men in Blazers humor found in their New York Times bestseller Encyclopedia Blazertannica, and accompanied by Nate Kitch's iconic photographic illustrations, Men in Blazers share the stories of household names like David Beckham and Alex Morgan, along with cult icons such as Garrincha, the Brazilian star of the 1960s who was born with one leg six inches shorter than the other, and Briana Scurry, a trailblazer who paved a path for young Black soccer-playing women. Page by page, you will revel in the depictions of players you adore, discover tales you have never heard, and experience vivid stories of dreams, loyalty, perseverance, creativity, and luck. Together, they form an alternative telling of the history of soccer, tracing the evolution of the men's and women's games around the globe, one unlikely, unbelievable, unforgettable career at a time. Thanks to the transcendent career arcs depicted within, Gods of Soccer is rife with tales that will make readers' hearts soar. Encourage them to dream. And then quickly rush off to make their own lists.

FOR READERS OF: Complete Book of Soccer, The Baseball 100, Encyclopedia Blazertannica, and Reborn in the USA

A COMPANION TO MEN IN BLAZERS PODCAST AND SHOWS: This is the perfect companion for avid fans of the Men in Blazers podcast, one of the largest soccer podcasts in the world, and their weekly NBC show.

A GREAT GIFT: Surprise the soccer fans in your life or introduce someone to the sport with God's of Soccer. This will make a fantastic gift for both novice and die-hard players and soccer fans of all ages.

Review Quotes

"A richly entertaining love letter to the beautiful game and 100 of its most impactful stars." --Clive Gifford, journalist and author of The Complete Book of Soccer

"It's a truly spectacular gift for the soccer fan in your life--or, if you're the soccer fan, a way to get to know your sport of choice in an ever-more intimate way." --Werd

About the Author

Roger Bennett is a writer, broadcaster, filmmaker, and founder of the Men in Blazers Media Network. He is the New York Times bestselling author of (Re)born in the USA, and the coauthor of Encyclopedia Blazertannica. He lives in Bedford, New York.

Michael Davies is a multiple Emmy award-winning producer of many shows, including Who Wants to Be a Millionaire, the cohost of the popular NBC show Men in Blazers, and the coauthor of the New York Times bestseller Encyclopedia Blazertannica. He lives in Bridgehampton, New York.

Miranda Davis is a producer at Men in Blazers. She lives in Manhattan and reluctantly shares her birthday with fellow Pennsylvanian Christian Pulisic. She has a degree in Film and Media Studies from Columbia University.

Nate Kitch is an award-winning illustrator whose work has been featured by the Guardian, the Economist, the New York Times, the BBC, and many more. He lives in Oxford, England.