Over 500 colour photographs
Over 4 illustrations

• The essential illustrated guide to football, charting more than 100 years of the game worldwide: the teams, the triumphs, the tragedies of the world's number-one sport



• Fascinating profiles of the world's greatest players and personalities, with detailed biographies of star players past and present - from Alex James, Alfredo di Stefano and Stanley Matthews to George Best, Pele, Maradona, Marco Van Basten, David Beckham, Zinedine Zidane and Wayne Rooney.



• Includes in-depth features on the top international clubs and national teams, including the dream teams of Arsenal in the 1930s, Real Madrid in the 1950s and Brazil in the 1970s, and the major championships of Europe, South America, Africa and Asia



• Highlights the magic moments, games and goals from over a century of football



• Illustrated with over 450 colour photographs and original archive material, this is essential reading for all football fans



• Includes full results of the 2008-9 season.

This popular encyclopedia has been updated for 2009 to provide an up-to-the-minute profile of the world's number-one sport.

The book charts the history of the global game and relives some of the magic with flashbacks to dream teams such as Arsenal in the 1930s, Real Madrid in the 50s and Brazil in the 70s. There are features on the World Cup finals and the major championships of Europe, South America, Africa and Asia, including the Euro 2008 finals and also profiles of individual careers to show how stars such as Pele, Diego Maradona, Ronaldo, Luis Figo and David Beckham made their mark on the game.

Finally, the book looks at the world's leading club and international sides, and at the players and personalities that gave them their greatest eras.

Full results of the 2008-9 season and the 2008 European Championship finals are included. Illustrated with more than 400 colour photographs, this is the ultimate reference guide to the beautiful game and essential reading for football fans everywhere.

About the Authors

Tom MacDonald - Author

Tom MacDonald, the chief author, is a sports writer, editor and publisher. Expert contributions are also included from leading football writers and consultants.