The World Encyclopedia of Football 2004

This comprehensive guide to the world's most popular sport begins with football's 19th-centrury roots and traces its history right up to the present day, including up-to-the-minute information of the results at the end of the 2003-2004 seasons. In a line-up of the game's most inspiring players, individual careers are profiled to show how stars such as Stanley Matthews, Pele and Ronaldo made their mark on the game. The top 36 FIFA teams are covered, including the traditionally strong footballing nations such as Brazil, Italy and Germany, as well as emerging countries such as Japan and Nigeria. Fully illustrated, this reference guide to football, encapsulates the heady mix of nostalgia and passion for this beautiful game felt by fans around the world.