This is Football

“A must read.” — This American Life, NPR

"One of the most beautiful books I have seen in a long, long time." — Roger Bennett, Men In Blazers

"I don’t think I’ve seen such a gorgeous collection of football photographs anywhere before. In this book, it’s truly the beautiful game. I ate it all up with a mixture of wonder and nostalgia." — Simon Kuper

"Feast Your Eyes. With contributions by the American soccer player Christian Pulisic and the former Jamaican-English player Robbie Earle, this is an homage to the sport in images - from iconic photographs of famous winning shots (and legendary blocks) and some of the largest stadiums in the world, to makeshift goals erected or even painted into public spaces in the mountains of Morocco or the streets of Buenos Aires." — New York Times Book Review

"This richly illustrated book takes you to the heart of the action, guiding football fanatics along a nostalgic path through the game’s history while revealing to the novice just what the fuss is all about with an entertaining Q and A on the world’s most popular sport. Hundreds of glorious photographs tell the story. Matches range from domestic leagues around the globe to World Cup finals; images of players relaxing away from the pitch and straining in the heat of combat give a comprehensive and insightful picture of the game. At various stages author Daniel Melamud and former player and now TV pundit Robbie Earle draw back from the imagery to discuss the fundamentals of the game and reveal what attracted them to it in the first place. Effectively they are asking: “What is football?” This wonderful book provides the answer: “This is Football”. And just like the game on its best day – it is absolutely beautiful." — Bill Edgar

"Daniel Melamud has put together a masterpiece." — Bowery FC

“Author Daniel Melamud has curated a collection of striking images taken by some of the most respected photographers in sport, featuring on pitch action, as well as candid dressing-room moments. Each chapter highlights some of the biggest names to have graced the pitch, as well as historic moments they helped create. This book illustrates why football is the most popular sport in the world and is loved by so many.” — The Guardian UK

"You can tell this is a quality product just by trying to pick it up…I doubt there is any global star from the last fifty years who doesn’t feature within the pages of this book. Every iconic image you have in your head right now: Maradona’s hand of God, Tardelli’s scream, Cruyff’s turn—they are all here. No fan will be able to resist picking this book up, assuming their back is up to it!" — William Hill Sports Book of the Year