There’s nothing quite like the romance of South American football. I was inspired to learn Spanish in my teens because of the Argentine commentary I was seeing on Channel 4’s Transworld Sport in the 1990s. The crowds were effervescent, the players all had long hair and matches seemed combustible. The soundtrack to this fascinating world was the excitable commentary that was a million miles from the measured delivery of Brian Moore or John Motson that I was used to.
Many writers have aimed to articulate the social, political and sporting significance of football in South America. Here is a selection of the best writing about football in South America, excluding player and coach biographies.
General
¡Golazo! A History of Latin American Football, Andreas Campomar
Uruguayan Campomar perfectly articulates the history of the game on the South American continent. Imagine a tome as broad as David Goldblatt’s The Ball is Round, but solely about South America. Campomar gives us the big picture while delving deeper into the topics that matter most.
Football in Sun and Shadow, Eduardo Galeano
Another Uruguayan writer and not solely about South America, but there are enough stories in here about the South American game – such as the tragic suicide of Nacional’s Abdón Porte – that many outside Uruguay will not know, and all illustrated beautifully with Galeano’s unequalled way with words.
Tears at the Bombonera, Christopher Hylland
Hylland chronicles his groundhopping travels around South America. Hylland’s debut book is a tour de force as he enlightens his audience about the role of politics in South American football, the big rivalries, and general matchday experience.
For more, listen to my interview with the author here about groundhopping in South America.
When Two Worlds Collide: The Intercontinental Cup Years, Daniel Williamson
The first of two entries from Daniel Williamson is his second book, which looks back at the time when South America’s Copa Libertadores winners took on the champions of Europe – often with explosive outcomes…
Listen to my interview with the author as we discuss the Intercontinental Cup.
Futbolera: A History of Women and Sports in Latin America, Brenda Elsey and Joshua Nadel
How has women’s football in South America faired compared to the men’s game? Elsey and Nadel explore the women footballers from the arrival of the round ball game in the 19th century to the challenges of the present day.
For more, listen to my interview with the co-author on women’s football in South America.
Argentina
Angels with Dirty Faces: The Footballing History of Argentina, Jonathan Wilson
This is the definitive book on the story of football in Argentina, from the first kickabout at the grounds of the Buenos Aires Cricket Club in the 1860s to the turn of the 21st century. I imagine it needs an update after the 2022 World Cup. It’s Wilson, so it’s dense and fact-packed and there’s no one I’d rather have tell Argentina’s footballing story in English.
Blood on the Crossbar: The Dictatorship’s World Cup, Rhys Richards
The World Cup is no stranger to controversy and dubious host regimes, but Argentina ’78 is arguably the worst of the lot. Richards’ debut book tells the before, during, and after story of the tournament.
Listen to my interview with the author here as we discuss the Argentina 1978 World Cup.
Blue and Gold Passion: A History of Boca Juniors, Daniel Williamson
One of the great clubs of South America is certainly worthy of a book in English. Daniel Williamson was based in Buenos Aires so is perfectly placed to write about Boca Juniors.
Listen to my interview with the author here as we discuss the history of Boca Juniors.
Stephen Brandt also has a book out called Boca Juniors: A History and Appreciation of Buenos Aires’ Most Successful Fútbol Team.
Football and National Identity in Twentieth-Century Argentina, Mark Orton
A new book out in 2023 and one which I am yet to read, but it looks like a belter. An academic study of how football became the “key cultural signifier of national identity in Argentina” and how the game helped shape the perception of the nation at home and abroad.
Mark has another book coming out on River Plate called El Más Grande (The Greatest) in June 2023. I’ll be adding that to this list, for sure.
Brazil
Futebol: The Brazilian Way of Life, Alex Bellos
Futebol is one of those country-specific classics, like Calcio, Morbo, Tör or the above-mentioned Angels with Dirty Faces. The entire history of Brazilian football from its class- and race-divided origins to its glory years. Wonderfully easy to read, too.
Futebol Nation: A Footballing History of Brazil, David Goldblatt
Released in the same summer as the Brazil 2014 World Cup, Goldblatt explores the social and political elements of Brazil’s rich footballing history.
The Greatest Show on Earth: The Inside Story of the Legendary 1970 World Cup, Andrew Downie
Downie follows up on his brilliant biography of Sócrates with the story behind Brazil’s epic 1970 World Cup win playing arguably the greatest football ever seen, all under the backdrop of a military dictatorship back home.
Listen to my interview with Andrew Downie here as we discuss football in Brazil.
1982 Brazil: The Glorious Failure, Stuart Horsfield
The Brazilian Seleção that headed to the España ’82 World Cup is often cited as the greatest side never to have won the tournament. In his debut book, Stuart Horsfield dissects the story of how Zico, Sócrates, Eder et al failed to come home with the trophy, slipping up to a Paolo Rossi-inspired Italy in the quarter finals.
Listen to my podcast with the author here as we discuss Brazil’s 1982 World Cup campaign.
From Triumph to Tragedy: The Chapecoense Story, Steven Bell
Bell tells the story of how the small-town club of Chapecoense rose up through the Brazilian leagues all the way to the 2016 Copa Sudamericana final. On their way to Medellín for the first leg against Atlético Nacional, the team were tragically killed in a plane crash. Bell looks at the circumstances behind the tragedy and Chapecoense’s fortunes since.
Listen to my interview with Steven on the Chapocoense tragedy here.
Uruguay
From Beauty to Duty: A Footballing History of Uruguay 1878-1917, Martin Da Cruz
How did tiny Uruguay take up football and conquer the world within a generation? Martin Da Cruz’s book looks at the origins of the sport in Uruguay, when the foundations were laid for the successful years of the double Olympic wins in the 1920s, and the 1930 World Cup triumph.
Listen to my podcast with Martin here as we discuss the roots of Uruguayan football.
Chile
Citizens and Sportsmen: Fútbol and Politics in Twentieth Century Chile, Brenda Elsey
Her second entry in this list, Elsey looks at the role of football in Chilean society, tackling topics such as democracy, class, gender and ethnic identity.
Colombia
Football and Nation Building in Colombia: The Only Thing That Unites Us, Peter J. Watson
Dr Pete Watson from Leeds University is one of the preeminent experts on football and society in Latin America. In this book, he looks at the role football plays in Colombia, and how the game has been exploited by various governments for good and for bad.
Listen to my interview with Pete here as we discuss football’s role in Colombian society.
Venezuela
Red Wine and Arepas: How Football is Becoming Venezuela’s Religion, Jordan Florit
Venezuela has never really featured in South America’s football journey, but that is changing. Florit put himself among it to write this book, traveling around Venezuela – not the easiest or safest country to navigate – and the result is a fascinating insight into the Venezuelan game.
Jordan is my guest in this podcast, talking football in Venezuela.
Did I miss any books? Let me know on Twitter. I cover the roots of the game in Argentina, Brazil and Uruguay in my debut book, Origin Stories, and also the role of football in opposing the Cold War dictatorships in those countries and Chile in my second book, The Defiant: A History of Football Against Fascism. Check them out!