Morbo: The Story of Spanish Football

Name: Morbo: The Story of Spanish Football
Price: 23.00 USD
Availability: InStock
Rating: 4.4 (120 reviews)

4.4 of 5 Stars: Soccer - Morbo: The Story of Spanish Football

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$23.00

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Book Synopsis: English writer Phil Ball has put the history of Spanish football into the context of the epomymous Morbo. Hard to pin down in translation (though the author manfully spends a chapter trying to explain the term in its fullest sense), "morbo" encapsulates the fierce rivalry across a club scene fragmented by history, language and politics. The bitter feeling between Barcelona and Real Madrid has, of course, been well-documented elsewhere. Here that famous rivalry is only one component of a landscape of antagonism. In particular, the Basque country in the north-west and Seville in the south both provide breeding grounds for a healthy portion of "morbo", and receive Ball's attention accordingly. The narrative captures the essence of that feeling perfectly, without failing to inform on a historical basis. A splendid chapter traces the ancestry of football in Spain back to the labourers in the English-owned copper mines in Huelva, Andalucia. While Spanish club football has always had its stars, from Di Stefano to Cruyff and Butragueno through to Raul and Luis Figo today, Ball shows that there is a greater force running in its lifeblood. Yet still there remains a paradox; he analyses the historical under-achievement of the Spanish national side in major international tournaments. The new millennium has seen excellent books focusing on football culture in Holland and France--namely Brilliant Orange and Le Foot. At a time when the stock of Spanish club football has perhaps not been higher since the heyday of Real Madrid in the late 50s and early 60s, Morbo, a triumph in the same vein, thankfully allows us to add Spain to the list. --Trevor Crowe

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Discover the captivating history of Spanish football with Morbo: The Story of Spanish Football. Written by renowned English author Phil Ball, this book delves into the fierce rivalries, fragmented club scenes, and the essence of "morbo" that defines Spanish football. Through its engaging narrative, Ball explores the bitter rivalry between Barcelona and Real Madrid, as well as the breeding grounds of "morbo" in the Basque country and Seville.

Morbo takes you on a captivating journey of the Spanish football landscape while providing a historical perspective. Ball skillfully traces the roots of football in Spain back to the English-owned copper mines in Huelva, Andalucia, painting a vivid picture of its evolution over time. From legendary players like Di Stefano and Cruyff to modern icons like Raul and Luis Figo, this book showcases the stars that have shaped Spanish football.

Despite its rich history and talented players, Morbo doesn't shy away from addressing the historical underachievement of the Spanish national side in major international tournaments. It offers a thought-provoking analysis that adds depth to the story of Spanish football.

Just like Brilliant Orange and Le Foot, which explore football culture in Holland and France respectively, Morbo allows us to journey into the heart of Spanish football. With Spanish club football reaching new heights, now is the perfect time to immerse yourself in its enthralling history. Don't miss out on the chance to experience the passion, rivalries, and triumphs of Spanish football. Order your copy of Morbo: The Story of Spanish Football now and join the ranks of avid football enthusiasts who've discovered the magic of Spanish football! Order here.

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