The Goalkeeper Who Scored 131 Goals

A goalkeeper really did score 131 goals. A dog named Pickles found the stolen World Cup under a hedge. A referee once sent himself off. Fog saved AC Milan from elimination on the way to a European Cup.

Football is full of true stories that sound invented, and this book gathers 230 of them. They range from World Cup miracles and scandals, the Maracanazo and the Hand of God included, to odd match incidents such as a 149-0 scoreline and a game with 36 red cards. There are record-breakers, great goalkeepers, managers who changed the game, derbies, superstitions, penalty drama and some very unlikely injuries, plus the women's game, MLS and the highs and lows of the USMNT.

It also has 23 original illustrations and a quick-reference Record Book, and it is updated through the 2026 World Cup, including Mbappé's new all-time scoring record.

For soccer fans, quiz-night regulars and anyone who likes a good story.