This Is Football: The Beautiful Game is a lavish hardback that feels like a love letter to the world’s most popular sport. It combines powerful imagery with sharp, insightful storytelling that spans continents, generations, and playing styles.

Daniel Melamud curates the narrative with contributions from Robbie Earle and Christian Pulisic, bringing together a range of perspectives from players, pundits, and fans alike.

Organised by player position, the book flows through iconic eras—charting the rise of South American flair in the 1960s, Spain’s tactical evolution in the 1980s, and unforgettable moments like Dennis Bergkamp’s World Cup touch or Agüero’s last-minute title decider.

At 448 pages and 9 × 12 inches, it’s a substantial object—physically and in terms of content—designed to be pored over, whether slowly or in long, immersive sessions.

The visuals capture not just matches but the emotion and culture around the game: stadiums roaring, pre-match rituals, street games, and moments of quiet intensity off the pitch.

The book has been widely praised for its balance of storytelling and aesthetic—Roger Bennett called it “one of the most beautiful books I’ve seen in a long, long time,” and it’s anchored by legendary names from Pelé to Beckham, Hamm to Marta.

Published by Rizzoli, it’s a carefully assembled piece of football culture—built to last, built to be revisited, and built for anyone who truly loves the game.

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