Luca Caioli

Mbappé Pasión por el fútbol Ya con 10 años, la gente hubiera pagado por verlo jugar. Los reclutadores se apiñaban alrededor de las canchas de fútbol infantil. "Desde su debut en AS Bondy, Kylian Mba

In 2009 Real Madrid paid 80m, a then record fee, to sign a ready-made superstar in an effort to keep pace with a Barcelona side that had won it all. In doing so, they sparked a rivalry like no other; Messi vs Ronaldo. The seasons that have followed have been truly spectacular, the battle for supremacy increasing in profile and intensity all the while. Their styles, personalities and footballing allegiances continue to divide opinion, but their dominance of the record books has now put one claim beyond debate - this is footballs greatest ever head-to-head. Acclaimed football writer Luca Caioli draws on invaluable testimonies from those closest to the two stars, with exclusive insights from friends, families, teammates and managers, to tell the inside story of this fascinating rivalry.

FROM THE BESTSELLING AUTHOR OF RONALDO AND NEYMAR. Prolific, cool-headed and unerringly consistent, Lionel Messi is one of the most revered footballers in history. But did you know that his transfer to Barcelona was first agreed on a paper napkin? Or that an x-ray of his hand was to thank for identifying his growth hormone deficiency? And do you know why he refused to collect his first ever Champions League winners medal? Find out all this and more in Luca Caiolis classic portrait of a footballing icon, featuring exclusive interviews with those who know him best and even Messi himself.

From the author of the bestselling Torres and Messi, a revealing new biography of Real Madrids Cristiano Ronaldo. When a young Portuguese player with sublime abilities arrived at Manchester United in 2003, Alex Ferguson put the no. 7 shirt once worn by Best, Cantona and Beckham on his back without hesitation. The expectation was clear, and Cristiano Ronaldo didnt disappoint. Ronaldo won the FIFA World Footballer of the Year in 2008, the first Premier League player ever to do so. Since his record-breaking 80m move to Real Madrid, his goal-scoring flair has continued and made his on-going rivalry with Barcelonas Lionel Messi even more intense. Luca Caioli tells the inside story of this global superstar both on and off the pitch, unveiling the life of one of modern footballs great players as never before.

Lionel Messi is the greatest player of his generation perhaps of all time. The talisman of a Barcelona team that has dominated Spanish and European football, and the winner of the FIFA Ballon dOr an unprecedented four times in a row, he is fast, elusive and mesmerising. Luca Caioli draws on numerous exclusive testimonies to tell Messis story, including his parents and extended family, his coaches, those who have played alongside him and even Messi himself. Messi is a revealing portrait of footballs most exciting star, updated to include the electrifying 2012/13 season in which the humble young sportsman rewrote the record books to the delight of fans across the globe.

When Manchester Citys owners appointed Roberto Mancini in late 2009, the message was clear: this was the man who would overtake the Blues illustrious neighbours and restore the club to the pinnacle of English football. The former Italy playmaker swiftly repaid their faith, following up an FA Cup triumph in his first full season with the Premier League title won in the most heartstopping fashion imaginable to continue a success story that had taken him from early stardom in Bologna to back-to-back league titles as Inter Milan manager. Now, renowned Italian sports writer Luca Caioli gives the full inside story of Mancinis rollercoaster life in football from his early days as a firebrand centre forward, through glory days with Sampdoria and Lazio, to his emergence as a charismatic, if controversial, pitch-side leader. Featuring insights from those who know him best including family members, former teammates and managers, as well as an exclusive interview with Mancini himself, it provides a unique and revealing portrait of the man behind the Blue revolution.

A three-time winner of the FIFA Ballon dOr, Cristiano Ronaldos status as a footballing superstar is unquestionable. His insatiable desire to succeed and to improve himself year-after-year has seen him win almost everything there is to win in the game, including his first international silverware: a Euro 2016 winners medal. Here, Madrid-based journalist Luca Caioli tells the inside story of the global superstar, featuring insights from those who know him best: coaches, teammates, girlfriends and even the man himself. Updated to include all the action from the 2016/17 season, the year after he claimed his third Champions League winners medal and became the tournaments all-time top goalscorer. Ronaldo lays bare the career of a modern footballing icon.

Having risen to the top of the game more than a decade ago, Lionel Messi has matured into the perfect team player, as likely to provide a superlative assist as a masterful match-winner. As the star of an exceptional Barcelona team, he has won more silverware than most football clubs. Messi is Luca Caiolis classic portrait of a footballing icon, now fully updated to include all the action from 2016/17. Featuring exclusive testimony from those who know him best, including coaches, teammates and even Messi himself, it offers an unrivalled behind-the-scenes look at the career of a sporting giant.

From a young age, Neymar was identified as a future great of world soccer. Since his move to Barcelona in 2013 he has progressed at an unstoppable rate, not simply coping but thriving under the pressure of expectation. Having established himself as a vital prong alongside Messi and Suarez in Barcelonas attack, 2015/16 saw him vying to take the starring role. His performances made his a serious contender for the Ballon dOr, an award long-dominated by the unfaltering Messi and Ronaldo. It now seems only a matter of time before he adds the accolade to his ever-growing trophy collection. Fully updated and drawing on exclusive interviews with those who have known and worked with him, Neymar paints a compelling picture of the life and career of a global icon.

Lionel Messi, Neymar and Cristiano Ronaldo have risen from humble beginnings in Argentina, Brazil and Portugal to rank among the most exciting talents football has ever seen. Now Luca Caioli, author of biographies of Messi, Ronaldo and Neymar, asks: Who is the greatest of them all? Comparing their contrasting styles, stories, records and awards, he gives you everything you need to decide who comes out on top. With exclusive insights from their friends, families, teammates and managers, Caioli presents a unique insight into what makes a modern player not just successful, but truly great.

FROM THE BESTSELLING AUTHOR OF MESSI AND RONALDO Quick, incisive and versatile, Antoine Griezmann is the ultimate modern forward. But did you know that he had to leave France in order to find a professional club willing to take a chance on him? Or that he wears the number 7 shirt as a tribute to his idol, David Beckham? Or that Real Sociedad fans came to affectionately refer to him as The Little Devil? Find our about all this and more in Luca Caioli and Cyril Collots tirelessly researched biography, featuring exclusive interviews with those who know him best.Includes all the action from the 2017/18 season and the 2018 World Cup

FROM THE BESTSELLING AUTHOR OF MESSI AND NEYMAR Strength, speed and dedication: Cristiano Ronaldo is known throughout the world as a colossus of the modern game. But did you know that he underwent laser heart surgery aged just fifteen to enable him to continue playing the game he loved? Or that Nacional, his first professional club, donated twenty balls and two sets of kits to his youth team in order to sign him? Or how he came to be known as abelhinha little bee a name he would later pass on to his Yorkshire Terrier? Find out all this and more in Luca Caiolis biography of the global superstar, featuring exclusive insights from those who know him best and even the man himself.Includes all the action from the 2017/18 season and the 2018 World Cup

Having long been hailed as a future star of world soccer, Neymar has thrived under the pressure of expectation. Already well on his way to becoming Brazils all-time top scorer and a leading light in one of the greatest Barcelona teams in history, his legacy is already taking shape. Updated to include all the action from the 2016/17 season and drawing on exclusive interviews with those who have known and worked with him, Neymar paints a compelling picture of the life and career of a global superstar.

Luis Suárez is one of the most brilliant and controversial players in world football. Signed by Barcelona in 2014 despite a lengthy ban for biting an opponent, he quickly became a central figure in their sensational treble-winning campaign, setting the seal on it with the decisive goal in the Champions League final. However, a history of violent on-pitch incidents has left supporters wondering whether the maverick centre forward can ever completely conquer his demons. This updated biography, featuring exclusive interviews with those who have known and worked with him, offers a unique behind-the-scenes look at the life and career of one of footballs most enigmatic stars.

FROM THE BESTSELLING AUTHOR OF MESSI AND RONALDO. Tipped for greatness from an early age, its easy to think that every moment of Neymars life has been played out under the glare of a spotlight.But did you know that Real Madrid were just 60,000 away from signing him in 2006?Or that a phone call from Pele stopped Neymar leaving Santos for Chelsea in 2010?Or that his move to Paris Saint-Germain in 2017 caused tension with his new teammates? Find out about all this and more in Luca Caiolis tirelessly researched biography, featuring exclusive interviews with those who know him best, including friends, family, coaches and teammates. Includes all the action from the 2018/19 season.

Neymar da Silva Santos Junior is the new global football superstar, already acclaimed as the next Pelé. He is the player everyone wants to watch in the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, his home country. With Santos, the team where Pele played, he has reached three national Championships and has twice been elected the best player in South America. With Barcelona, which signed him for 57 million euros, he will flourish alongside Leo Messi to become one of the most lethal partnerships in footballs history. Luca Caioli, author of bestselling biographies of Messi and Ronaldo, reconstructs Neymars life and career through exclusive private access to his friends, his family, his coaches, his teammates, his advisors, his fans. This is the first book about a new world footballing icon.

Neymar is the youngest Brazilian ever to reach 35 international goals and time is on his side as he closes in on Pelés long-standing record of 77. The Barcelona wünderkind has already scored more tim

Lionel Messi, Neymar Júnior and Cristiano Ronaldo have risen from humble beginnings in Argentina, Brazil and Portugal to rank among the most exciting talents football has ever seen. Now Luca Caioli, author of biographies Messi, Ronaldo and Neymar, asks: Who is the greatest of them all? Comparing their contrasting styles, stories, records and awards, he gives you everything you need to decide who comes out on top. With exclusive insights from their friends, families, teammates and managers including interviews with managers Luiz Felipe Scolari and Vicente del Bosque Caioli presents a unique insight into what makes a modern player not just successful, but truly great.

Lionel Messi is a mesmerising talent who has continued to astound the world of football ever since assuming his role at the heart of a star-studded Barcelona side in 2004. Overcoming a career-threatening growth hormone deficiency, he has won almost everything there is to win, including an unprecedented four FIFA Ballons dOr. Luca Caioli draws on numerous exclusive testimonies to tell Messis story, including his parents and extended family, his coaches, those who have played alongside him and even Messi himself. Messi is a revealing portrait of footballs most unassuming superstar, updated to include the dramatic 2013/14 season and the 2014 FIFA World Cup in which his match-winning performances finally began to win over his harshest critics his fellow countrymen.

Bestselling football biographer Luca Caioli tackles his most controversial subject yet - Barcelona, Uruguay and former Liverpool forward Luis Suárez. When in late September 2013 Luis Suárez returned from a landmark ten-match ban for biting an opponent, one in a long line of high-profile misdemeanours, it seemed unlikely that he would ever win over his critics. In the months that followed he scored an astonishing 31 times, propelling Liverpool back into the Champions League following a four-year absence. The World Cup in Brazil followed but Suarez saw his action-packed tournament curtailed after just two games, two goals and one moment of madness, with favourable comparisons to Messi and Ronaldo once again overshadowed by those with Jekyll and Hyde. Acclaimed football biographer Luca Caioli provides an in-depth look at one of footballs most enigmatic characters, from humble Uruguayan beginnings to his big-money move to Barcelona in July 2014.