Big Boots to Fill is the story of Argentina's search for a worthy heir to the great Diego Maradona. When Maradona led Argentina to World Cup glory in 1986 and Napoli to their first Italian title a year later, he was regarded by many as the greatest footballer of all time. Since then, in his homeland of Argentina, generations of players have been hyped as the 'new Maradona'. Some of them achieved eminence in their own right - players like the great Juan Roman Riquelme, troubled Ariel Ortega, beloved Carlos Tevez and magical Pablo Aimar. Others wilted under the huge weight of expectation and ended their careers in obscure backwaters, playing in lower leagues. It was not until the emergence of Lionel Messi that the country had a worthy wearer of the sobriquet 'the new Maradona'. This is the tale of Argentinian football between Maradona and Messi, of all the highly touted players who have come and gone in between, and their struggles with the pressure of living up to the legend of the Argentine number 10 shirt.

About the Author
David Nolan has loved Argentinian football since he first saw Diego Maradona play in the 1982 World Cup. He wrote about South American football in the 2000s on his blog and for several websites. He is also the author of a series of crime novels set in Dublin in the 1910s.

Reviews

"Wordsmith David Michael Nolan delves deep into his own research and personal knowledge base to provide many answers in his new book... So, who is the New Maradona?... After reading Big Boots to Fill, you may find yourself being able to take a more informed view, based on the arguments presented by the able author."

-- Mark Watkins * Dare Radio *

"Big Boots to Fill by David Nolan is a must-read for football fans seeking to relish the memories of Argentina's greatest players. With its ability to evoke nostalgia, celebrate the artistry of the game, and provide insight into the complexities of player reception, this book is a true gem."

* The Football Library *

"Big Boots To Fill is probably at its most interesting when Maradona is the subject and his back story is fascinating, but several of the other players featured also have stories worth telling, which makes this a book well worth reading. Even as a keen fan of football over the last 40 years or so, there are some here that I'd never heard of, but that doesn't make their own stories any less interesting... An intriguing look into the lives of so many young hopefuls and a salutary tale of how many of them fail to live up to the huge expectations on their shoulders."

* On Magazine *



Book Information
ISBN 9781801501729
Author David Nolan
Format Hardback
Page Count 352
Imprint Pitch Publishing Ltd
Publisher Pitch Publishing Ltd