The Complete Book of the World Cup is the most comprehensive history ever written about the quest for world sport's most coveted trophy.
First published in 1998, this is the first time Cris Freddi's masterpiece has been made available as an ebook. It describes every major action in the World Cup finals, on and off the pitch, from the first tournament in 1930 through to Spain’s victory in 2010. An ideal companion for the 2014 tournament in Brazil. Written in his sharp and uncompromising style, it includes match reports, line-ups, goalscorers, attendances, and much more for every game ever played in the World Cup finals.
Freddi’s research is meticulous. He has closely studied film and television footage and has scoured the world for previously untapped primary sources to separate fact from fiction. Freddi tells the story as he sees it. This is not an official history and he is not afraid to voice his opinion. Most people bow to FIFA's decision to credit Ronaldo with 15 goals in the finals. But Freddi points to Brazil’s opening goal against Costa Rica in the 2002 finals, where the video evidence clearly shows it to be an own goal. So Freddi lists Ronaldo only as the joint all-time leading scorer in the finals alongside Miroslav Klose and Gerd Muller. He also deprives Rio Ferdinand of his first goal for England!
In a major addition, this edition contains a whole new section recalling the five world championships played before the first World Cup finals in 1930. Long forgotten and ignored by modern histories, the football tournament at the Olympic Games prior to 1930 was the major event in the international football calendar, with the winners in 1908, 1912, 1920, 1924, and 1928 considered as the world champions. Uruguay achieved worldwide fame for their two Olympic golds in 1924 and 1928, and proudly wear four stars above their national team badge to celebrate these titles as well as their World Cup triumphs in 1930 and 1950.
On that basis, England have been world champions three times! Hence the three stars above the three lions on the cover of this book. Cris Freddi tells the story of the England Amateur team, which played as the United Kingdom when they won the first two Olympic titles, writing themselves into history as football’s first ever world champions.
The Complete Book of the World Cup was already an epic. Now it's even bigger and better. From the first Olympic football tournament in 1908 to the latest World Cup in 2010, it's the story of the century-old struggle to become champions of the world. It shines a light on how football has grown to become the most popular sport on the planet.
Praise for previous editions of the Complete Book of the World Cup
'The only World Cup book you'll ever need. Stylish, witty and knowledgable text...Freddi is the star of this World Cup.' The Times
'Freddi's willingness to express an opinion helps the book flow...a compelling read'. Sunday Times
'The word 'complete' is used cheaply in titles of books but on this occasion it is fully justified.' Sunday Express
'A fantastic complete history... deserves the utmost praise. You could wax lyrical about this book for ever. It really is that good.' Sport First
'A fab book...definitive sums it up.' News of the World
First published in 1998, this is the first time Cris Freddi's masterpiece has been made available as an ebook. It describes every major action in the World Cup finals, on and off the pitch, from the first tournament in 1930 through to Spain’s victory in 2010. An ideal companion for the 2014 tournament in Brazil. Written in his sharp and uncompromising style, it includes match reports, line-ups, goalscorers, attendances, and much more for every game ever played in the World Cup finals.
Freddi’s research is meticulous. He has closely studied film and television footage and has scoured the world for previously untapped primary sources to separate fact from fiction. Freddi tells the story as he sees it. This is not an official history and he is not afraid to voice his opinion. Most people bow to FIFA's decision to credit Ronaldo with 15 goals in the finals. But Freddi points to Brazil’s opening goal against Costa Rica in the 2002 finals, where the video evidence clearly shows it to be an own goal. So Freddi lists Ronaldo only as the joint all-time leading scorer in the finals alongside Miroslav Klose and Gerd Muller. He also deprives Rio Ferdinand of his first goal for England!
In a major addition, this edition contains a whole new section recalling the five world championships played before the first World Cup finals in 1930. Long forgotten and ignored by modern histories, the football tournament at the Olympic Games prior to 1930 was the major event in the international football calendar, with the winners in 1908, 1912, 1920, 1924, and 1928 considered as the world champions. Uruguay achieved worldwide fame for their two Olympic golds in 1924 and 1928, and proudly wear four stars above their national team badge to celebrate these titles as well as their World Cup triumphs in 1930 and 1950.
On that basis, England have been world champions three times! Hence the three stars above the three lions on the cover of this book. Cris Freddi tells the story of the England Amateur team, which played as the United Kingdom when they won the first two Olympic titles, writing themselves into history as football’s first ever world champions.
The Complete Book of the World Cup was already an epic. Now it's even bigger and better. From the first Olympic football tournament in 1908 to the latest World Cup in 2010, it's the story of the century-old struggle to become champions of the world. It shines a light on how football has grown to become the most popular sport on the planet.
Praise for previous editions of the Complete Book of the World Cup
'The only World Cup book you'll ever need. Stylish, witty and knowledgable text...Freddi is the star of this World Cup.' The Times
'Freddi's willingness to express an opinion helps the book flow...a compelling read'. Sunday Times
'The word 'complete' is used cheaply in titles of books but on this occasion it is fully justified.' Sunday Express
'A fantastic complete history... deserves the utmost praise. You could wax lyrical about this book for ever. It really is that good.' Sport First
'A fab book...definitive sums it up.' News of the World
