Ravāyat-i Muṣawwar-i Dāstān-i Fūtbāl Persian 1403

The Story of Football is a comprehensive history of football, written and illustrated by David Squires, the cartoonist for The Guardian. With his trademark wit, sarcasm, and humor, Squires traces football’s roots from the Far East to its possible future. From Puskás to Zidane, from 1970s Brazil to Lionel Messi, he selects key moments in football history, presenting them in humorous one-page reports and then expanding the narrative through cartoon series.

He delves into football’s underlying layers, where money and corruption often dominate, and where the sport becomes a tool for politicians. Yet Squires never loses sight of football’s excitement and memorable moments: Maradona’s “Hand of God”, Manchester United’s treble under Sir Alex Ferguson, Zidane’s dramatic move in the 2006 final, and Barcelona’s tiki-taka.

Having drawn football cartoons for The Guardian for many years, Squires is deeply familiar with the ups and downs of the sport. He knows both forgotten stories and little-discussed controversies. His humor spares no one and no event, yet he is mindful that not all his readers are football fans, and not all fans remember the past. Thus, he tells stories that appeal to a general audience, while sprinkling inside jokes and references for football enthusiasts.

The Story of Football is a book that celebrates this beloved sport—a game that is full of trials off the pitch but thrills on it.