Some of the unpublished posts from this blog have been turned into a two-volume book: The Multiverse of the Beautiful Game: National Teams of Pure Fantasy.
Volume 1 takes you back in time and asks the questions every football fan has dreamed about. What if Brazil had a more beautiful team in 1982 — would they have cruised to the title? What if the United Kingdom could send its team to the 1970 World Cup? I believe they would have been the strongest side on earth. What if Argentina had fielded both Omar Sivori and Alfredo Di Stéfano together in 1958? What if Johan Cruyff had lined up alongside Marco van Basten, Ruud Gullit, and Frank Rijkaard? What if Eusébio had played for Brazil? And that's only scratching the surface — Volume 1 is packed with legendary "what ifs" that will keep you turning pages.
Volume 2 brings the fantasy closer to home. What if England had Michael Olise, Erling Haaland and others in 2026 — could they go all the way? What if Yugoslavia had gone to the World Cup in 2018? What if the United States could select more players in 2010? It would be the greatest American side ever. And what if Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi had actually played for the same national team in 2006? It could have happened — if the soccer gods had smiled on us.
Some of the unpublished posts from this blog have been turned into a two-volume book: The Multiverse of the Beautiful Game: National Teams of Pure Fantasy.
Volume 1 takes you back in time and asks the questions every football fan has dreamed about. What if Brazil had a more beautiful team in 1982 — would they have cruised to the title? What if the United Kingdom could send its team to the 1970 World Cup? I believe they would have been the strongest side on earth. What if Argentina had fielded both Omar Sivori and Alfredo Di Stéfano together in 1958? What if Johan Cruyff had lined up alongside Marco van Basten, Ruud Gullit, and Frank Rijkaard? What if Eusébio had played for Brazil? And that's only scratching the surface — Volume 1 is packed with legendary "what ifs" that will keep you turning pages.
Volume 2 brings the fantasy closer to home. What if England had Michael Olise, Erling Haaland and others in 2026 — could they go all the way? What if Yugoslavia had gone to the World Cup in 2018? What if the United States could select more players in 2010? It would be the greatest American side ever. And what if Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi had actually played for the same national team in 2006? It could have happened — if the soccer gods had smiled on us.
Please also see my All-Time World Cup Team Index.
Those players could easily walk into clubs they supported and the clubs would dream to have them, but they never had a chance. A few of them ended with their bitter rivals.
Zinedine Zidane was born in Marseille. As a kid, he supported Olympique de Marseille. In fact, he named his son after Enzo Francescoli. AS Cannes discovered him when he was 14 years. He never played for his hometown club.
Raul never said that he was a fan of Atletico Madrid, but his family were Atletico Madrid fans. In fact, he started his career with their academy, but he never played for the first team. He must be a closet Atletico Madrid fan. He was forced to move to Real Madrid when Jesús Gil closed the Atletico Madrid academy. His first ever professional goal was ironically against Atletico Madrid. His father told reporters after the goal: "We are Real Madrid fans now".
Kenny Dalglish lived Ibrox, the home of Glasgow Rangers. He supported them. He was a Protestant too. When Celtics Sean Fallon went to his home to sign him, he pulled down all the Rangers posters from his bedroom wall.
John Terry said in an interview that he supported Manchester United. He is from London. So he ended up with the West Ham academy and then, Chelsea.
Cristano Ronaldo supported Benfica as a kid, but he ended up with Benfica's rival, Sporting CP.
Michael Owen, Ian Rush, Jamie Carragher, Steve McManaman and Robbie Fowler were allegedly supporters of Everton. Steve Gerrard supported Liverpool, but I found this photo.
Those players could easily walk into clubs they supported and the clubs would dream to have them, but they never had a chance. A few of them ended with their bitter rivals.
Zinedine Zidane was born in Marseille. As a kid, he supported Olympique de Marseille. In fact, he named his son after Enzo Francescoli. AS Cannes discovered him when he was 14 years. He never played for his hometown club.
Raul never said that he was a fan of Atletico Madrid, but his family were Atletico Madrid fans. In fact, he started his career with their academy, but he never played for the first team. He must be a closet Atletico Madrid fan. He was forced to move to Real Madrid when Jesús Gil closed the Atletico Madrid academy. His first ever professional goal was ironically against Atletico Madrid. His father told reporters after the goal: "We are Real Madrid fans now".
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| Raul(front row middle) |
Kenny Dalglish lived Ibrox, the home of Glasgow Rangers. He supported them. He was a Protestant too. When Celtics Sean Fallon went to his home to sign him, he pulled down all the Rangers posters from his bedroom wall.
John Terry said in an interview that he supported Manchester United. He is from London. So he ended up with the West Ham academy and then, Chelsea.
Cristano Ronaldo supported Benfica as a kid, but he ended up with Benfica's rival, Sporting CP.
Michael Owen, Ian Rush, Jamie Carragher, Steve McManaman and Robbie Fowler were allegedly supporters of Everton. Steve Gerrard supported Liverpool, but I found this photo.
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| Steve Gerrard |
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