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Beneath the Waves
Complete your collection with these limited Ultimate Football Heroes International editions – now with a bonus World Cup chapter.
Lionel Messi is a legend - Barcelona's star player and the world's best footballer. But when was young, he was so small that his friends called him 'Little Leo' and coaches worried he wasn't big enough. Yet through bravery, talent and hard work, he proved them wrong. Messi tells the magical story of how the tiniest boy in South America grew up to become the greatest player on earth.
118 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 31, 2018
66 people are currently reading
212 people want to read
About the author
Lily Murray
85 books33 followersLily grew up in the wilds of snowy nowhere, spending much of her time talking to animals and making up stories. She has continued to do this in her adult life, and now writes both fiction and non-fiction books for children. Her titles include big books about dinosaurs, rhyming books about dinosaurs and stories about escapee hot dogs. Follow Lily on Instagram and Twitter @lilymurraybooks
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
May 9, 2019
Οι Matt και Tom Oldfield, επαγγελματίες συντάκτες, αθλητικογράφοι και συγγραφείς, πολύ αναγνωρισμένοι στον χώρο τους και με αρκετά βιβλία ποδοσφαιρικού ενδιαφέροντος στο βιογραφικό τους, ένωσαν τις δυνάμεις τους προκειμένου να συγγράψουν μία απ' τις κορυφαίες ποδοσφαιρικές σειρές που απευθύνεται τόσο σε μικρούς όσο και σε μεγάλους αναγνώστες και fans της στρογγυλής θεάς, που έχει τίτλο "Οι απόλυτοι ήρωες του ποδοσφαίρου".
Τα πρώτα τέσσερα βιβλία, λοιπόν, της σειράς αυτής κυκλοφόρησαν πολύ πρόσφατα από τις εκδόσεις Ψυχογιός και πραγματικά έχουμε να κάνουμε με μια εξαιρετικά προσεγμένη έκδοση. Μέσα σε κάθε ένα βιβλίο από αυτά ξετυλίγεται η ιστορία ενός κορυφαίου παίκτης της παγκόσμιας ποδοσφαιρικής σκηνής, από τα παιδικά του χρόνια μέχρι και σήμερα. Ιστορίες αληθινές, βγαλμένες μέσα από τη ζωή, με μικρές λεπτομέρειες που μπορεί να γνωρίζαμε για τους ανθρώπους αυτού και άλλες μεγαλύτερες που μας ξαφνιάζουν και μας κάνουν να συνειδητοποιούμε ακόμα περισσότερο το ενδιαφέρον που αυτοί παρουσιάζουν τόσο ως αθλητές όσο και ως άνθρωποι.
Τα κεφάλαια της ζωής των παικτών αυτών, που θα χαρακτηρίζαμε περισσότερο ως αφηγήσεις, διαθέτουν έναν χαρακτήρα σχεδόν μυθιστορηματικό. Ειλικρινά, υπήρχαν φορές που ξεχνούσα πως διάβαζα μια σειρά ιδιότυπων βιογραφιών, νιώθοντας πως κρατούσα στα χέρια μου λογοτεχνικά κείμενα με μια δόση παραμυθένια διάθεσης που απευθύνονται σε μικρά και μεγάλα παιδιά που έμαθαν να πορεύονται στη ζωή τους έχοντας ινδάλματα που η ζωή τους απέδειξε πως αξίζει να ονειρεύεσαι και, πάνω απ' όλα, να προσπαθείς να κατακτήσεις τα όνειρα αυτά.
Πρέπει να αναφέρω πως τα βιβλία αυτά, στην ελληνική έκδοση, προλογίζει ο δικός μας αγαπημένος, Μένιος Σακελλαρόπουλος, όχι μόνο ένας εκ των κορυφαίων αθλητικών δημοσιογράφων που έχει δει τούτη η ταλαίπωρη χώρα, αλλά κι ένας άνθρωπος με βαθιά αγάπη για το ποδόσφαιρο, πράγμα που φαίνεται σε κάθε λέξη που έχει γράψει σε αυτές τις λίγες σελίδες.
Έχω να πω πως ο γιος μου λάτρεψε τα βιβλία αυτά όσο κι εγώ, και πως θα τα σύστηνα σε όλες τις μανούλες που θέλουν να κάνουν τα παιδιά τους να διαβάσουν κάτι και να ξεκολλήσουν από τις οθόνες του υπολογιστή τους ή τα tablets τους. Μπορεί να μην το πιστεύετε, αλλά μέσα σε αυτές τις σελίδες θα βρουν πολλά ενδιαφέροντα πράγματα και ποιος ξέρει, ίσως να δουν και τον ίδιο τον αθλητισμό με άλλο μάτι.
Τα πρώτα τέσσερα βιβλία, λοιπόν, της σειράς αυτής κυκλοφόρησαν πολύ πρόσφατα από τις εκδόσεις Ψυχογιός και πραγματικά έχουμε να κάνουμε με μια εξαιρετικά προσεγμένη έκδοση. Μέσα σε κάθε ένα βιβλίο από αυτά ξετυλίγεται η ιστορία ενός κορυφαίου παίκτης της παγκόσμιας ποδοσφαιρικής σκηνής, από τα παιδικά του χρόνια μέχρι και σήμερα. Ιστορίες αληθινές, βγαλμένες μέσα από τη ζωή, με μικρές λεπτομέρειες που μπορεί να γνωρίζαμε για τους ανθρώπους αυτού και άλλες μεγαλύτερες που μας ξαφνιάζουν και μας κάνουν να συνειδητοποιούμε ακόμα περισσότερο το ενδιαφέρον που αυτοί παρουσιάζουν τόσο ως αθλητές όσο και ως άνθρωποι.
Τα κεφάλαια της ζωής των παικτών αυτών, που θα χαρακτηρίζαμε περισσότερο ως αφηγήσεις, διαθέτουν έναν χαρακτήρα σχεδόν μυθιστορηματικό. Ειλικρινά, υπήρχαν φορές που ξεχνούσα πως διάβαζα μια σειρά ιδιότυπων βιογραφιών, νιώθοντας πως κρατούσα στα χέρια μου λογοτεχνικά κείμενα με μια δόση παραμυθένια διάθεσης που απευθύνονται σε μικρά και μεγάλα παιδιά που έμαθαν να πορεύονται στη ζωή τους έχοντας ινδάλματα που η ζωή τους απέδειξε πως αξίζει να ονειρεύεσαι και, πάνω απ' όλα, να προσπαθείς να κατακτήσεις τα όνειρα αυτά.
Πρέπει να αναφέρω πως τα βιβλία αυτά, στην ελληνική έκδοση, προλογίζει ο δικός μας αγαπημένος, Μένιος Σακελλαρόπουλος, όχι μόνο ένας εκ των κορυφαίων αθλητικών δημοσιογράφων που έχει δει τούτη η ταλαίπωρη χώρα, αλλά κι ένας άνθρωπος με βαθιά αγάπη για το ποδόσφαιρο, πράγμα που φαίνεται σε κάθε λέξη που έχει γράψει σε αυτές τις λίγες σελίδες.
Έχω να πω πως ο γιος μου λάτρεψε τα βιβλία αυτά όσο κι εγώ, και πως θα τα σύστηνα σε όλες τις μανούλες που θέλουν να κάνουν τα παιδιά τους να διαβάσουν κάτι και να ξεκολλήσουν από τις οθόνες του υπολογιστή τους ή τα tablets τους. Μπορεί να μην το πιστεύετε, αλλά μέσα σε αυτές τις σελίδες θα βρουν πολλά ενδιαφέροντα πράγματα και ποιος ξέρει, ίσως να δουν και τον ίδιο τον αθλητισμό με άλλο μάτι.
January 12, 2020
I really enjoyed Messi’s life story. I think the most interesting part was the beginning finding out more about the growth problems Messi had and what kind of things he did such as outplay older people and get scouted by Barcelona. I would recommend this book if you are a football fan as Messi is the best footballer ever and it’s interestingness too find out more
December 9, 2018
Another fine book, excellent writing style, short chapters, from his youth days, to his later career and his battle with Ronaldo, (Chapter 18) Messi vs Ronaldo, I really enjoyed this book, I have read many of this authors football books, and enjoy them all. Well worth a read for all football fans reagardless of the team you support.
February 27, 2025
PB
‘The most skillful players are often very small,’ the coach told himself. ‘And he’s got plenty of time to grow!’
p. 26
In the game at the end of training, Lionel wasn’t a selfish show-off — that wasn’t his style. He had a lot of of the ball, but he dribbled and passed patiently, waiting for the right opportunity to create a goal.
p. 27
Lionel got up to take the free-kick. He was used to being fouled and he didn’t let it upset him. Scoring was the best form of revenge.
p. 33
Lionel’s teammates loved him because even though he was their best player by miles, he wasn’t arrogant. He was a real team player. On the pitch, he didn’t moan if someone played a bad pass and he wasn’t lazy. In fact, he ran more than anyone.
p. 40
‘This is why you should never judge a book by its cover.’
p. 52
‘I thought you’d be weak because you’re so small but it’s impossible to get rid of you.’
Lionel smiled. ‘That’s why everyone back in Argentina calls me “The Flea”. They say I’m a constant menace!’
p. 58
Adapting to a new life was difficult for all of them.
p. 61
The third defender slid in for the tackle, but Lionel dragged the ball back just in time. Then he calmly sent the goalkeeper the wrong way.
Gooooooooaaaaaaaaal!
p. 68
At fifteen years old, Lionel was training as hard as the professionals. He was determined to keep improving and so he focused on his weaknesses. He was a decent height now, but he needed to build up his strength and stamina.
p. 72
He still thought about the night when he watched his teammates win against Arsenal without him. That painful memory had spurred him on to great things.
p. 106
But Lionel never gave up.
p. 106
‘At some point, we had to lose!’
Lionel nodded and wiped his face, but he was already thinking about ways to improve.
p. 113
‘The most skillful players are often very small,’ the coach told himself. ‘And he’s got plenty of time to grow!’
p. 26
In the game at the end of training, Lionel wasn’t a selfish show-off — that wasn’t his style. He had a lot of of the ball, but he dribbled and passed patiently, waiting for the right opportunity to create a goal.
p. 27
Lionel got up to take the free-kick. He was used to being fouled and he didn’t let it upset him. Scoring was the best form of revenge.
p. 33
Lionel’s teammates loved him because even though he was their best player by miles, he wasn’t arrogant. He was a real team player. On the pitch, he didn’t moan if someone played a bad pass and he wasn’t lazy. In fact, he ran more than anyone.
p. 40
‘This is why you should never judge a book by its cover.’
p. 52
‘I thought you’d be weak because you’re so small but it’s impossible to get rid of you.’
Lionel smiled. ‘That’s why everyone back in Argentina calls me “The Flea”. They say I’m a constant menace!’
p. 58
Adapting to a new life was difficult for all of them.
p. 61
The third defender slid in for the tackle, but Lionel dragged the ball back just in time. Then he calmly sent the goalkeeper the wrong way.
Gooooooooaaaaaaaaal!
p. 68
At fifteen years old, Lionel was training as hard as the professionals. He was determined to keep improving and so he focused on his weaknesses. He was a decent height now, but he needed to build up his strength and stamina.
p. 72
He still thought about the night when he watched his teammates win against Arsenal without him. That painful memory had spurred him on to great things.
p. 106
But Lionel never gave up.
p. 106
‘At some point, we had to lose!’
Lionel nodded and wiped his face, but he was already thinking about ways to improve.
p. 113
July 13, 2024
Note: So, I have been reading a bunch of books with my nephew and decided to do their reviews in "collaboration" with him. I've edited the reviews a little, but they are primarily written by him :)
As a football fan, I read Messi: Ultimate Football Heroes by Matt and Tom Oldfield. It is an amazing book! It tells the story of how he became one of the greatest footballers ever to live. You learn about his life, from being a child with big dreams from Argentina to becoming an international sensation. The book talks about his mind-blowing goals and the epic matches that made history. It shows how Messi never gave up, even when things were tough. The book, as a whole, sells a lot of excitement and curiosity about what happens next. It is a must-read if you love football and want to be amazed. You'll feel like you are on the field, learning Messi's secret tricks and cheering him on.
As a football fan, I read Messi: Ultimate Football Heroes by Matt and Tom Oldfield. It is an amazing book! It tells the story of how he became one of the greatest footballers ever to live. You learn about his life, from being a child with big dreams from Argentina to becoming an international sensation. The book talks about his mind-blowing goals and the epic matches that made history. It shows how Messi never gave up, even when things were tough. The book, as a whole, sells a lot of excitement and curiosity about what happens next. It is a must-read if you love football and want to be amazed. You'll feel like you are on the field, learning Messi's secret tricks and cheering him on.
February 6, 2025
I would say the book is about a young Messi who wants to be a big football player. His main goal is to win a FIFA World Cup, which he does at some point later in the book at the end. It was a really good book if I say so myself because of the problems that led to his goals. Like his teammates kept leaving/switching teams. And he never gave up which was the good part. The only part I would say was every time he scored a goal it would say "GOALLLLLLLLL" and it started getting annoying when I got focused on the book.
(finished book)
(finished book)
October 22, 2021
This is a really good book! And it is so good I want to rate it 6 stars.
It is great documentary book based on the life of Lionel Messi. I definitely recommend it to fans of Barcelona, Argentina, Paris and football in general.
It is great documentary book based on the life of Lionel Messi. I definitely recommend it to fans of Barcelona, Argentina, Paris and football in general.
April 23, 2025
Interesting read about the best football player in the world.
We go right from his birth, to his growth hormone issues, to newell's old boys and to heights of barcelona success.
Its a rather simplistic book on the life of Leo messi.
4/5
We go right from his birth, to his growth hormone issues, to newell's old boys and to heights of barcelona success.
Its a rather simplistic book on the life of Leo messi.
4/5
March 16, 2021
Very interesting 👌
June 28, 2021
I think that the book was very good. The only thing I would say is bad is how the book is a bit repetitive. Apart from that, I really enjoyed it.
January 1, 2022
wicked good i love football myself and this very book inspired me to keep going and to never give up
December 2, 2022
𝕍𝕖𝕣𝕪 𝕘𝕠𝕠𝕕 𝕣𝕖𝕔𝕠𝕞𝕖𝕕 𝕥𝕠 𝕗𝕠𝕠𝕥𝕓𝕒𝕝𝕝𝕖𝕣𝕤 ⚽
March 13, 2023
Masterpiece. Simply a masterpiece. Detail is insane. I love this book so much, and being a fan of him just makes me love it more.
July 24, 2023
My little boy loved reading all of Messi's accomplish and statistics. Waiting for Ronaldo to arrive now. Highly recommend for any football crazed child!
May 3, 2024
Messi Messi Messi
April 2, 2025
Interesting book. Best soccer player ever AKA the GOAT
July 11, 2025
i love this series. it explains their life and football games.
March 16, 2023
A brilliant book about the best footballer of all time
January 11, 2020
VERY GOOD BOOK WANT TO READ AGAIN!
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews