La Roja


La Roja is bestselling author Jimmy Burns tremendous opus on Spanish soccer. From its early beginnings when the first soccer on the shores of Bilbao and Buenos Aires was played by British sailors and engineers, through to the influx of South American stars, and similarly inspirational Italians, Dutchman and Scandinavians, Burns show how the engagement of foreigners with home-grown Spanish talent overcame political adversity and produced football of sublime skill and passion that intoxicates fans around the world.

The book takes us on a journey through some of the extraordinary characters, classic matches, and brutal controversies that have defined Spanish football from the early days when a few enthusiasts developed their talent kicking a ball on a piece of industrial waste ground, to the emergence of rival giants, FC Barcelona and Real Madrid- the most powerful and successful football clubs in the world- to the Franco regime (that propped up the Madrid team) and democracy (where Barca has ruled), to and a national team that, encompassing all, became the world’s champion.

Comments

  1. Rich says:

    Got this book for Chrsitmas. Having read Barca, i had high expectations and wasn’t disappointed. More than just a football history, it tells the story of a country that many of us enjoy, and i learnt so much about the politics of the country.
    A great read. i look forward to future books.

  2. David McGaw says:

    Just finished La Roja which I found on the shelf of a classic second hand bookshop in my hometown here in Newcastle, Australia. It was such a page turner and after thirty years of following international football, I thought my knowledge of Spanish football was sound. Wrong. Now after this read, I understand the intricacies, feuds and passion that drive the Spanish provinces and the reason it took Spain so long to be crowned world champions. The characters and the history in this great nation of football fanatics is a book that will remain in my substantial football library forever.
    David from Australia.

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