Miguel Lourenço Pereira – författare

The Greatest journeys through the many lives of Real Madrid, arguably the most celebrated and supported football club in the world. From its unlikely beginnings – shaped by two Catalan brothers and a little-known Irishman – to its present global esteem, this is the definitive account of the legendary side from Spain’s capital. It explores the myths and realities of the ‘Franco’s club’ label, Madrid’s role in Spain’s political and social tensions, plus those unforgettable European glory nights. Along the way, we meet the people, places and moments that turned the famous white shirt into a symbol of greatness. Discover the intensity of El Clásico, the club’s influence on the modern commercialisation of football and the power struggles between Santiago Bernabéu and Alfredo Di Stéfano. The Greatest paints a vivid portrait of the life and identity of a club like no other. It is a story that is about much more than silverware and success.

Bring Me that Horizon is a fascinating quest into the heart and soul of Portuguese football.Journeying across its landscape, from old and forgotten bastions of invincibility to new, muscled industrial areas where dreams come true, the book uncovers the multiple identities of Portugal as a nation.Whether visiting historical clubs that were miraculously brought back to life or getting to grips with the complexity of Portugal's 'Game of Thrones' fight for supremacy, the book traces a route north to south, island to island, without forgetting the profound connection with Africa and Brazil.From Eusébio's glorious career to Cândido de Oliveira's adventures as a British intelligence agent, the book reveals a nation that already had fantastic tales to tell before it became the flavour of the month for football hipsters at the turn of the millennium. There's much more to Portugal's football heritage than Ronaldo and Mourinho.

Pasión journeys into the heart and soul of Spanish football, examining the rich diversity of the country’s footballing culture and how the game unites the nation.Follow-up to Pereira’s widely acclaimed study of Portuguese football, Bring Me That Horizon. If you loved that, you’ll love this!Taking you on a road trip through space and time, this immersive book:Will help you to understand what has made Spain the greatest continental football power so far this centuryBrings you exclusive insider views and insights on Spanish football, from World Cup-winning managers, to elite players, to renowned football writers and journalistsTakes you around dozens of cities and football grounds, presenting Spain as one of the most complex and diverse nations in EuropeTells of the love story between Real Madrid and the Champions League as well as fairy-tale triumphs involving footballing minnowsInvestigates the origins of Iniesta and the political and social struggles that left an imprint on Basque, Galician and Valencian footballExplores the cultural nature of vanguard managers such as Pep Guardiola and the social relevance of Spain’s sporting pressFrom European glory nights to the lower leagues, this compelling book celebrates the diversity of the nation’s cultural and footballing identity.