From Neymar to Rashford, via George Best, Megan Rapinoe, Leo Messi and Diego Maradona, fans all over the world have immortalised their footballing idols in paint. This is the first book to celebrate these towering works of art.
Andy Brassell Livres
The narrative follows Andy Brassell as he embarks on a journey across Europe during the 2003/4 Champions League season, exploring iconic cities such as Marseille, Moscow, Madrid, and Manchester. Through his travels, he delves into the essence of the world's premier club football competition, capturing the excitement and passion surrounding the matches and the cultures of the cities involved.
Set against the backdrop of a nation at war, this narrative intertwines the resilience of a football club with the broader struggles of its community. It explores the determination of players and fans to maintain their passion for the sport amid adversity, highlighting themes of hope, unity, and the power of sport to uplift spirits during tumultuous times. The story captures both the human spirit and the significance of football as a source of identity and solace in challenging circumstances.
The most important (thing) is to play,' Srna said, 'to show the world that we are still alive, that we are fighting, that we are living, that we will have a good future.' In 2014, the conflict in the Donbas region of Ukraine began - and top football club Shakhtar Donetsk has since been in exile. This book tells their story; inevitably a story of the conflict and the recent Russian invasion but also a testament to the power of the game and the will of the players. It is ultimately a footballing story, exploring the experience and meaning of being a Shakhtar player through the lens of a country in the shadow of a huge aggressive neighbour. There are moments of direct impact (such as when a youth coach was killed by Russian shelling earlier in 2022) but also what it means to just go out on the field and play, freely. Andy Brassell is a European football expert and has followed this story for years; he regards Shakhtar as the 'Barcelona of Eastern Europe'. This book celebrates the team and its achievements, while paying tribute to an occupied nation.