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Why Soccer Matters: A Look at More Than Sixty Years of International Soccer

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Arrives Sunday, Dec 29
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Format: Paperback, Illustrated


Description

Pelé—legendary footballer and humanitarian—explores the sport’s recent history and shares his most inspiring experiences, heartwarming stories, and hard-won wisdom. “I know in my heart that soccer was good to me, and great to the world....I saw, time and again, how the sport improved countless millions of lives, both on and off the field. For me, at least, that’s why soccer matters.” The world’s most popular sport goes by many names—soccer, football, the beautiful game—but fans have always agreed on one thing: The greatest player of all time was Pelé. Before Messi, before Ronaldo, before Beckham, Pelé had a stunning twenty-year career, where he was heralded as an international treasure. His accomplishments on the field proved to be pure magic: an unprecedented three World Cup championships and the all-time scoring record, with 1,283 goals. Since retiring, he has traveled the world as soccer’s global ambassador, relentlessly promoting the positive ways soccer can transform young men and women, struggling communities, even entire nations. This is Pelé’s legacy, his way of passing on everything he’s learned and inspiring a new generation. In Why Soccer Matters, Pelé details his ambitious goals for the future of the sport and, by extension, the world. Read more

Publisher ‏ : ‎ Penguin Publishing Group; Reprint edition (April 7, 2015)


Language ‏ : ‎ English


Paperback ‏ : ‎ 320 pages


ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0451468759


ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 58


Lexile measure ‏ : ‎ 1060L


Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 11.1 ounces


Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.98 x 0.64 x 9 inches


Best Sellers Rank: #51,010 in Books (See Top 100 in Books) #18 in Soccer Biographies (Books) #42 in Soccer (Books) #1,680 in Memoirs (Books)


#18 in Soccer Biographies (Books):


Frequently asked questions

If you place your order now, the estimated arrival date for this product is: Sunday, Dec 29

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Top Amazon Reviews


  • Great Book
Amazing Book.
Reviewed in the United States on November 28, 2023 by Bologi

  • Awesome
Have been a Pele fan for 50 years. A must read for anyone who has ever heard of Pele. A lot I didn't know. A very wonderful, humble man. RIP. I hope your legacy lives on for many years.
Reviewed in the United States on February 15, 2023 by toddieie

  • Excellent and Easy Read
While everyone knows Pele, it was interesting getting to know more about the person and also the love and affinity he has for not just Brazillians but people that he met through his many adventures - not just in football but in all aspects. My father was a professional soccer player in Ecuador around the same time so it brought a little bit of what was going on in South America at the time, while my father did not have the same degree of success - it helped me understand that deep love for the sport - that I still have for it and enjoy it to this day. Personally soccer does matter because I coached my two daughters soccer teams when they were little - I remember putting a couple of very shy, 'terrible players' as forwards and despite their own fear and their parents they had a great time....years later I was standing at a Baja Fresh restaurant and this pretty teenager approached me and said ' you coached me when I was around 6, and you put me up front even though I was scared, I wanted to thank you for that, let you know that now I am in league soccer and you helped me over come my shyness and awkwardness, my parents and I will always thank you for that'...which was nice but it was soccer she had to give thanks to not me. The 2014 World Cup in Brazil will be an awesome experience and yes soccer does matter! ... show more
Reviewed in the United States on April 24, 2014 by Erick Rendon

  • Great book about the life of Pele, the worlds greatest ever player.
Enjoyable story and an easy read which made it good for relaxing while reading.
Reviewed in the United States on February 1, 2023 by Adam

  • Pele
It was a Christmas gift for my father-in-law. He absolutely loved it.
Reviewed in the United States on January 30, 2023 by Weekes

  • Fantastic book
Absolutely a must for all soccer lovers . Very well written, it feels like you are there at the events ! Great read for kids and adults !
Reviewed in the United States on October 13, 2022 by Christine C.

  • Amazing book Rey Pele!
Great book that provides additional insight about the life of one of the greatest athletes that ever lived on this planet. It is a must for soccer real fans!
Reviewed in the United States on August 22, 2022 by Ivan

  • Excellent!
Just read the first 50 pages. Enjoying it so much I had to write a review. Love the way Pele weaves his story, the story of global soccer, and the history of his country, Brazil, together. Very well done!
Reviewed in the United States on April 7, 2022 by Amazon Customer

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