FROM THE BESTSELLING AUTHOR OF RONALDO AND NEYMAR. Prolific, cool-headed and unerringly consistent, Lionel Messi is one of the most revered footballers in history. But did you know that his transfer to Barcelona was first agreed on a paper napkin? Or that an x-ray of his hand was to thank for identifying his growth hormone deficiency? And do you know why he refused to collect his first ever Champions League winner's medal? Find out all this and more in Luca Caioli's classic portrait of a footballing icon, featuring exclusive interviews with those who know him best and even Messi himself.

Strength, speed and dedication: Cristiano Ronaldo is known throughout the world as a colossus of the modern game. But did you know that he underwent laser heart surgery aged just fifteen to enable him to continue playing the game he loved? Or that Nacional, his first professional club, donated twenty balls and two sets of kits to his youth team in order to sign him? Or how he came to be known as abelhinha -'little bee'- a name he would later pass on to his Yorkshire Terrier? Find out all this and more in Luca Caioli's biography of the global superstar, featuring exclusive insights from those who know him best and even the man himself.

On 1 September 2015, Anthony Martial completed his transfer from Monaco to Manchester United. At just 19 years of age, the fee of GBP36m (potentially rising to GBP58m) made the France international the most expensive teenager of all time. Eyebrows were raised at the landmark fee but a goal against Liverpool in his first game helped get the supporters onside, while a number of key strikes in his debut season soon won over the critics as he became integral to Manchester United's attack. Renowned sports biographers Luca Caioli and Cyril Collot talk to coaches, teammates and even Martial himself, to provide an unrivalled behind-the-scenes look at the life of the teenage superstar.

Mario Balotelli has a reputation like no other in football. Since exploding on to the scene at Inter Milan in 2007, he has won league titles in both Italy and England, moving between Europe's elite clubs. Yet for all his undoubted talent, he is better known for his off-field antics - not least his infamous run-ins with both the police and Manchester's firefighters. Once described by Jose Mourinho as 'unmanageable', match-winning performances at the highest level have continued to convince clubs such as AC Milan and Liverpool to give him a chance. With exclusive access to friends, teammates and coaches, acclaimed football biographer Luca Caioli talks to the people best placed to explain the mystery that is Mario Balotelli.

UPDATED TO INCLUDE HIS CONTROVERSIAL TRANSFER TO BARCELONA

Quick, incisive and versatile, Antoine Griezmann is the ultimate modern forward.

But did you know that he had to leave France in order to find a professional club willing to take a chance on him?

Or that he wears the number 7 shirt as a tribute to his idol, David Beckham?

Or that Real Sociedad fans came to affectionately refer to him as ‘The Little Devil’?

Find our about all this and more in Luca Caioli and Cyril Collot’s tirelessly researched biography, featuring exclusive interviews with those who know him best.

Includes all the action from the 2018/19 season

Lionel Messi is the greatest footballer of our time: a magician with uncanny ability to beat defenders, find space and score goals. 2016 saw him win the Ballon d'Or for a record fifth time, further emphasising his status as the greatest footballer in the world today, and possibly ever. Messi is Luca Caioli's classic portrait of modern football's undisputed superstar, now fully updated to include all the action from 2015/16. Featuring exclusive testimony from those who know him best, including coaches, teammates and even Messi himself, it offers an unrivalled behind-the-scenes look at the life of a football superstar.