Wilson intertwines narratives following the history of Argentina's national team and domestic league, along with the country itself, to highlight how each relies on and informs the other. The author shows how politics and football have always been inextricably linked in Argentina, a country that lives and breathes the sport.

Wilson ( Inverting the Pyramid) lived in Buenos Aires next to the Estadio Tomas Adolfo Duco, the stadium of Huracán, and here describes the evolution of Argentinian football against the backdrop of the country's most turbulent political times: Peronism, the almost constant rotation of military juntas and dictators, and near economic collapse. Lionel Messi has followed in the footsteps of other giants such as Alfredo di Stéfano Daniel Passarella Gabriel Batistuta and Diego Maradona, one of the best and most controversial footballers of all time. His latest work is an integral read for those love the Argentinean style of play, its rich history and why football is the true soul of Argentina.” World Football Commentaries comprehensive, but immensely readable and wonderfully-researched history of a nation and its long-term love for the beautiful game After reading this excellent history, you'll be as convinced as Argentina's football-loving population that it won't be long before the Carasucias add to their two World Cup titles.Argentina has been at the pinnacle of world football for decades, consistently fielding the sport's best players. Few writers in his genre are on the same literary pitch. Wilson is the Lionel Messi of world football writing. He finds that the country's most celebrated moments and players are never as great as they seem.” ≻loomberg BusinessweekMr. What sets Wilson's book apart is the depth to which he goes to show how soccer weaves through Argentina's political and economic turmoil. ∺rgentina's narrative is complicated, and Jonathan Wilson mines all of it ANGELS WITH DIRTY FACES. The soccer book of the decade.' - Sunday Business Post 'Here, for the first time in decades, is a top-notch soccer book on how soccer is actually played on the field.' - Simon Kuper In Angels with Dirty Faces, Jonathan Wilson chronicles the operatic drama of Argentinian soccer: the appropriation of the British game, the golden age of la nuestra, the exuberant style of playing that developed as Juan PerÃ³ed the country, a hardening into the brutal methods of anti-fÃº, the fusion of beauty and efficacy under C'sar Luis Menotti, and the emergence of all-time greats.

Argentina's rich, volatile history - by turns sublime and ruthlessly pragmatic - is mirrored in the style and swagger of its national and club sides. Perhaps it's because the country lives and breathes the game, its theories, and its myths.

Lionel Messi, Diego Maradona, Alfredo Di St'fano: in every generation Argentina has uncovered a uniquely brilliant soccer talent. The Masterful, Definitive History of Argentinian Soccer

Angels with dirty faces book