Top Soccer Autobiographies: Must-Read Books for Fans

Soccer autobiographies are the closest thing fans can get to stepping inside the minds of the game’s greatest players and managers. These books capture the raw emotions of the sport, from the thrill of scoring in front of thousands to the struggles that shaped careers behind the scenes.

For anyone who loves the beautiful game, reading a soccer autobiography is like sitting down with your favorite star and hearing their story in their own words.

These stories go beyond the pitch. They reveal childhood dreams, sacrifices, rivalries, controversies, and unforgettable victories.

Alex Ferguson: My Autobiography

Sir Alex Ferguson is one of the greatest managers the game has ever seen. In My Autobiography, he takes us deep into the world of leadership, strategy, and the day-to-day realities of managing Manchester United through its golden era.

The book is packed with fascinating stories, his first steps in football as a player in Scotland, his philosophy of management, and his iconic years at Old Trafford, where he oversaw generations of stars like Ryan Giggs, David Beckham, Cristiano Ronaldo, and Wayne Rooney.

What makes this book remarkable is Ferguson’s honesty. He doesn’t shy away from discussing fallouts with players, rivalries with other clubs, or the immense pressure of building and sustaining success at the top. His sharp mind and relentless determination come alive on every page.

For fans of leadership as much as soccer, this book is a masterclass in what it means to demand excellence while keeping a team united.

You can grab a copy through Waterstones or Amazon.

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Arsène Wenger: My Life in Red and White

Arsène Wenger’s My Life in Red and White takes readers into the mind of one of football’s most innovative managers. Wenger transformed Arsenal and the Premier League, introducing new training methods, diets, and tactics that revolutionized English football.

He recounts the highs of leading the “Invincibles,” the frustrations of battling financial constraints, and the criticisms he faced during tough years. Wenger’s voice comes through as thoughtful, intelligent, and quietly passionate about the sport.

This is a book that teaches as much about perseverance and innovation as it does about football.

You can find it easily on Amazon or in major bookstores.

Andrea Pirlo: I Think Therefore I Play

Where Zlatan is fire, Andrea Pirlo is calm water. His autobiography, I Think Therefore I Play, is beautifully reflective, offering insight into the mind of a player often referred to as a football philosopher.

Pirlo’s writing feels almost meditative. He takes us back to his early days at Brescia, through his iconic years at AC Milan and Juventus, and ultimately to his World Cup triumph with Italy in 2006. His account of the dressing room, the moments of pressure, and his approach to the game show why he was admired not only as a midfielder but as a thinker of the sport.

This is not a loud book. It is a book of subtle genius, much like Pirlo’s passes that sliced through defenses. Readers come away with a deeper appreciation of football’s artistry and the intelligence that underpins its magic.

Copies are widely available online, especially on Amazon.

Luis Suárez: Crossing the Line – My Story

Luis Suárez has always been one of football’s most polarizing figures, and his autobiography Crossing the Line lives up to the intrigue. From his modest beginnings in Uruguay to becoming one of the most feared strikers in Europe, Suárez bares it all.

The book covers his relentless drive to succeed, his move to Europe, and his controversial moments, including the infamous biting incidents that dominated headlines. Yet, beyond the scandals, you meet a fiercely competitive man whose hunger to win often pushed him to the edge.

It is an honest, emotional, and sometimes uncomfortable read, but one that captures the complexity of a player whose career has been anything but ordinary.

Look for it at Barnes & Noble or Amazon.

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Pelé: The Autobiography

Few names resonate in soccer the way Pelé’s does. For many, he is the embodiment of the sport itself. “Pelé: The Autobiography” is a heartfelt telling of his life, beginning from his modest childhood in Brazil, where he played barefoot with a makeshift ball, all the way to his rise as a three-time FIFA World Cup champion.

This book is not simply about goals and trophies. Pelé shares the challenges of living with the weight of expectation, the pressures of being a global icon, and his own struggles off the pitch. He gives readers an intimate view into what it was like to carry Brazil’s hopes on his shoulders, while also becoming one of the most recognizable figures on the planet.

Reading this, you feel the heartbeat of soccer at its most pure—joy, creativity, and resilience. Pelé’s story inspires not only as a record-breaking athlete but as a man who showed the world that greatness can emerge from humble beginnings.

Find it on Amazon or check your local bookstore.

I Am Zlatan: My Story On and Off the Field

If Pelé’s story is about joy and artistry, Zlatan Ibrahimović’s autobiography is about defiance, audacity, and self-belief. I Am Zlatan is written with raw intensity, pulling readers straight into his world. Growing up in Rosengård, a tough neighborhood in Sweden, Zlatan fought against poverty, prejudice, and the odds stacked against him.

His narrative is bold and unapologetic, much like his playing style. He speaks openly about his temper, his clashes with coaches, and his refusal to conform. But behind the bravado, you also discover a boy who just wanted to prove he belonged, who sharpened his craft on the streets and carried that streetwise flair into the biggest stadiums in the world.

Zlatan’s book is not just for fans of his football; it’s for anyone who wants to understand how grit, individuality, and fearlessness can carve out a place in history.

Available in multiple formats on Book Depository and Amazon.

Pep Guardiola: Another Way of Winning

Written by journalist Guillem Balagué, Another Way of Winning is a comprehensive look at the life and career of Pep Guardiola. This is less of a personal memoir and more of an analytical biography, but it remains one of the best resources to understand the man behind Barcelona’s golden era.

The book details how Guardiola reshaped modern football with his philosophy of possession, pressing, and tactical innovation. His four years at Barcelona yielded 14 trophies, but more than that, it changed the way football is played around the world.

You’ll also read about his challenges at Bayern Munich and beyond, gaining a sense of the relentless perfectionism that drives him.

Grab a copy through Waterstones or Amazon.

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Forward: A Memoir – Abby Wambach

Soccer autobiographies are not only about men’s football. Abby Wambach’s Forward: A Memoir is a powerful book that reaches beyond the sport.

Wambach, one of the greatest players in women’s soccer, opens her life to readers with refreshing honesty. She talks about her battles with addiction, her struggles with identity, and her triumphs on the field, including World Cup and Olympic glory.

Her story is about resilience, redemption, and the power of speaking one’s truth. Even if you are not a soccer fan, Wambach’s journey resonates because it speaks to the universal human struggles of failure, courage, and growth.

Available at most major bookstores and online platforms.

Red: My Autobiography – Gary Neville

Gary Neville, a one-club man for Manchester United, tells his story in Red: My Autobiography. It is a grounded, passionate, and often humorous account of life as a professional footballer in one of the most iconic teams in history.

Neville walks readers through his journey as part of the legendary “Class of ’92,” playing alongside Paul Scholes, Ryan Giggs, David Beckham, and others who formed the backbone of United’s success. His reflections on matches, teammates, and his own development as a leader are written with honesty and love for the game.

This book feels like sitting down with a friend who happens to have lived through football’s biggest moments. It is warm, candid, and deeply connected to the soul of Manchester United.

Widely available through major booksellers, including WHSmith.

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Carlo Ancelotti: Quiet Leadership

Carlo Ancelotti has managed some of the biggest clubs in the world, yet his style of leadership has always been understated. In Quiet Leadership: Winning Hearts, Minds and Matches, he shares how empathy, trust, and calm authority can be just as effective as fiery speeches.

The book explores his time at AC Milan, Chelsea, PSG, Real Madrid, and Bayern Munich. It includes testimonials from players like Cristiano Ronaldo and Zlatan Ibrahimović, offering a rich perspective on what makes Ancelotti a master of man-management.

It’s not only about tactics, it’s about people. Ancelotti’s story teaches us that leadership doesn’t always need to be loud. Sometimes, the quietest voices leave the deepest mark.

Order it from Book Depository or Amazon.

Leading: Learning from Life and My Years at Manchester United

Co-written with Michael Moritz, Leading offers another perspective from Sir Alex Ferguson, this time focusing more on leadership lessons than personal memories.

Ferguson reveals the mindset behind his management—how he dealt with pressure, how he motivated players, and how he handled success and failure. It is a fascinating companion to his autobiography, giving more insight into the principles that guided him both in football and in life.

Pick it up from Hachette Books or Amazon.

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