The Barcelona Complex: Lionel Messi and the Making--and Unmaking--of the World's Greatest Soccer Club

This book is a must to all Barça's followers, especially those abroad.The first 2/3's are great. A piece of history that set's the fundation for the biggest run in the history of sports.It explains in deep the intricacies of the game in the setup of Catalonia and Spain, and it is very well written.But then the last third, arguably the most relevant for me at least, felt a little rushed, almost nothing that you didn't read on newspapers already.All in all, this is still a big recommend from my POV.

If you just want to limit yourself to reading about Barca's golden years, then other books might be more to your taste.But if you want to read about the unmaking as well as the making of the world's greatest club ever, then this is a very timely, insightful and thorough history of the team.It will be controversial to many FCB stalwart fans. I can see why some would want to recommend other histories and steer readers away from this volume, pooh-poohing it as not offering any new revelations.Check it out and make that determination for yourselves.

I had never read the author, and I had no idea what style to expect. Some of these sports books are dense encyclopedias and some are just fluff. But as soon as I read the prologue intro to the major players and staff, I was already learning a ton and laughing my ass off. Just a joy to read.

I wanted to like this book. As a socio of FC Barcelona I was excited to learn a bit more from all of the author's "insider access" within the club. Sadly, he doesn't add to any of the other, frankly, better researched and sourced articles written about FCB. As a writer for the FT, I was hoping for more of a breakdown of the clubs revenue, expenses, etc. in the book, but they never really materialized.For someone who knows nothing about the club, then sure, you can read this book, but also read Graham Hunter's, Barca: The Making of the Greatest Team in the World. It'll add more detail into the "Barca DNA" and discuss the golden years of 2008- 2012 in greater detail.TL;DRBasic coverage of the book. No real dirt, or new revelations about the club or their players.

Well written. Excellent history of the club.

Very well written and researched, the book documents the rise & fall of this legendary soccer club…which has often promoted itself as “more than just a club”. I, too, fell in love with Barca for two decades (after a visit to Barcelona), not just because of the beautiful game that they played, but also because of their history in Spain. My passionate love for this team is no more…but the memory of it lingers…and I still wear every day a Barca shirt or jacket. Read the book and cherish the memories…

Bought this a gift for a 10 year old soccer player and millionaire wannabe. He loved it!!!!

Like “the class of 1992” at Manchester United, the team flourished and then withered. Best modern-day football book I have ever read.

Great book, and fairly written with respect to parties involved. Author does seem to give an honest and balanced approach to his writings.Learnt a lot, thanks!