⭐️ Messi’s American Dream: From LaLiga to MLS Sensation by Mark Jackson

This may be the worst written book I’ve ever read. I was offered this as an advanced reader copy but didn’t get around to reading it until nearly four months after it was published so I downloaded the fully published version to read and review. The amount of types and editorial mistakes throughout this book is astounding. It reads like a high school student’s C grade term paper.

The lack of explanation and detail in this book is disappointing. There are times I feel like the author makes assumptions about what we may know. For example, he mentions Pep Guardiola and Messi together but the explanation makes the reader think they are teammates. Later in the book it is explained that Guardiola is the coach. At about the 50% mark, there are many paragraphs and random one sentence paragraphs that sound either like headlines or copy and pasted from a newspaper article. For example, the author mentions that Messi signed his Miami contract on Wednesday. There was no timeline as to this random Wednesday. Also when it is discussed that Inter Miami’s ticket prices increased to $9,000, this same explanation was repeated word for word a few paragraphs later.

Well into Chapter 2, following a whole list of random accomplishments by Messi, comes this following paragraph: “This chapter delves into his playing style and how it has evolved over the years shaped by influences, injuries, and a relentless pursuit of excellence.” This is just poor writing and poor editing. Chapter 7 wraps up with a list of players who have benefited from watching Messi play, lacking any detail about what any of these players drew from Messi. For example, talking about Yunus Musah the author states, “Musah has talked about watching Messi’s humility and dedication and how it has shaped his approach to the game.” That’s it. No further detail. This gives no information about what Musah did to shape his approach…did he better his footskills, his ability as a teammate, leadership, reading of the pitch…?

This is 105 pages of redundancy and undetailed information written in a novice high school student style. Many times it reads like an outline for a paper, when the writer simply makes a list of what he/she wants to write about, prior to actually filling in the information. I was very disappointed in this book.

Thank you to NetGalley, the author, and the publisher for providing me with an ARC of this title for review.

My family, myself included, are HUGE.fans of Lionel Messi. I could NOT pass up then opportunity to.read this wonderful book. This book delves into his career in football (soccer) from a wife q young age to now and also talks very little about his personal life. Also talks about the Messing Foundation for kids. Its a great book and every "Messiholic* should read it. A little on the.short side but that is ok. Don' t need to delve in his life to much. Love the book!

I received a few copy of the book and is voluntarily writing a review

Honestly it's just a basic book about Messi's stats now that he is the MLS. That's it. Doesn't go into heavy details, just stats.

Thank you NetGalley for the e-arc version of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

My thanks to Books Go Social, Mark Jackson and Netgalley.
I truly just enjoyed this book. I'm a huge fan of Messi. When I found that he had turned down the HUGH money after retiring from the big leagues "Saudi money" and decided to go to Florida? Just imagine Snoopy when he does his happy dance! That was me! Even in Messi's "old age" I knew he would win heart's and also teach some newbies the ropes!
I discovered my love of football "futbal" back in 2010. I was recently laid off of work and was sitting in a bar with a friend and the World Cup was on. I'd never seen a football match in my life, and I was enthralled. Seriously! Since I'd never seen this sport before, I decided to pick my favorites. I figured that I liked Spain, Portugal and Croatia.
Hey, Cristiano Renaldo is a jackass, but he made Portugal look good! And if course Luka Modric was and still is a phenom! Come play in the U.S. Luka!
Anyhow.....long story short.
This book is for me. Maybe if you've been a long time fan then it may not be for you. For me? I learned some shit!
I think it's about time that we "the U.S.A. started getting serious and start paying bigger bucks for great footballers."
My team is Real Madrid. I'm also a sucker for Liverpool. I'd love to find a team here in the U.S. to love, but the level of play here compared to everywhere else is embarrassingly inadequate.
Here's to hoping Messi will pave the way.