Before They Were Stars: How Messi, Alex Morgan, and Other Soccer Greats Rose to the Top

This guide follows fourteen of the best mens and womens players from their first childhood encounter with association football to their first appearance in a top-division match or their first international cap. It includes rare photos of stars-to-be on and off the field.

\n Format: Hardback
\n Length: 64 pages
\n Publication date: 09 May 2019
\n Publisher: Abbeville Press Inc.,U.S.
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Discover the incredible journeys of the top football stars of all time, from their humble beginnings to their rise to the pinnacle of the sport. Follow fourteen of the best men's and women's players as they navigate their way through the trials and tribulations of their youth, from their first encounter with association football to their first appearance in a top-division match or their first international cap.

For every one of them, the journey was a testament to their determination, resilience, and passion for the game. From practicing with makeshift equipment to overcoming personal setbacks, these players overcame every obstacle that came their way to achieve greatness.

Did you know that Pelé, the legendary Brazilian forward, practiced with a newspaper-stuffed sock or a grapefruit because he couldn't afford a proper football? Or that Mia Hamm, the iconic American soccer star, discovered the sport as a toddler in Florence, Italy, where her father, a U.S. Air Force pilot, was stationed?

At the age of ten, Messi was diagnosed with a growth hormone deficiency that threatened to end his football career. But it was his unwavering determination and the support of his club, Barcelona, that saw him through. Barcelona offered to pay for Messi's treatment, and he went on to become one of the greatest players of all time.

Illustrated with rare photos of stars-to-be on and off the field, Before They Were Stars is a captivating and inspiring read for any budding soccer legend. Fans can delve deeper into the lives of their favourite players with other World Soccer Legends series books, such as Stars of Women's Soccer: 2nd Edition, Stars of World Soccer, Neymar, Messi, and Alex Morgan.

So, join us on this journey as we celebrate the incredible stories of the top football stars of all time. From their humble beginnings to their ultimate triumphs, these players have proven that anything is possible with hard work, dedication, and a passion for the game.

\n Weight: 492g\n
Dimension: 286 x 216 x 8 (mm)\n
ISBN-13: 9780789213273\n \n