ONCE IN A LIFETIME

The story of the New York Cosmos, which brought the greatest players in the world to the grooviest city in the world. The book is published to coincide with the cinema release of the documentary of the same name, made by the Oscar-winning team behind One Day in September. In 1971, Warner Brothers bought a moribund soccer team, the New York Cosmos. In one of the greatest coups in the history of sport, this local team then signed Pele, the greatest and most famous player in the world. More huge signings would follow: Franz Beckenbauer, Giorgio Chinaglia and Brazil’s 1970 World Cup-winning captain, Carlos Alberto. Almost overnight, the Cosmos were the hottest ticket in town, with politicians and movie stars attending games. Cosmos players became mainstays of the hedonistic club scene at Studio 54. Once in a Lifetime is much more than a football book. It is a vivid evocation of the Cosmos at the height of their powers in 1977, and the razzmatazz and conspicuous expenditure that surrounded them. It is a story that embraces millionaires, superstars, groupies, alcoholic excess, drugs, and full-on .st.ghts. It also features some of the greatest footballers ever to play the beautiful game.

The story of the New York Cosmos, which brought the greatest players in the world to the grooviest city in the world. The book is published to coincide with the cinema release of the documentary of the same name, made by the Oscar-winning team behind One Day in September. In 1971, Warner Brothers bought a moribund soccer team, the New York Cosmos. In one of the greatest coups in the history of sport, this local team then signed Pele, the greatest and most famous player in the world. More huge signings would follow: Franz Beckenbauer, Giorgio Chinaglia and Brazil’s 1970 World Cup-winning captain, Carlos Alberto. Almost overnight, the Cosmos were the hottest ticket in town, with politicians and movie stars attending games. Cosmos players became mainstays of the hedonistic club scene at Studio 54. Once in a Lifetime is much more than a football book. It is a vivid evocation of the Cosmos at the height of their powers in 1977, and the razzmatazz and conspicuous expenditure that surrounded them. It is a story that embraces millionaires, superstars, groupies, alcoholic excess, drugs, and full-on .st.ghts. It also features some of the greatest footballers ever to play the beautiful game.