From Moore to Messi

The fascinating story of the Argentine national football team, and how it became a major symbol of national identity for the people of Argentina.

From Dr Mark Orton, author of the Lord Aberdare Prize-shortlisted Football and National Identity in Twentieth Century Argentina.

From its first international in 1902 with a side largely of British and Irish origin to the World Cup wins of 1978, 1986 and 2024, the book charts all the highs and lows of the Argentine national team.

Inside you will discover:

? The team’s British and Irish roots at the turn of the 1900s, and how it soon included Italian and other immigrants, helping to forge a new distinctive Criollo identity through football

? Neglected topics such as how the team became a political tool under Juan Perón and various military dictatorships and the Argentine women’s team’s long struggle for recognition

? The mavericks who shone for Argentina in the pre-Maradona days, such as Harry Hayes, José Manuel Moreno and Oreste Corbatta

? The national team’s lesser-known stories, including the player who died twice and the ‘ghost squad’ of unknowns abandoned for weeks in the Andes

? How La Scaloneta was constructed to help Lionel Messi finally become a world champion and build a team that the Argentine people could fall in love with again

From Moore to Messi is a must-read for anyone interested in South American football, the international game or sports books that tackle bigger themes.

© 2026 Pitch Publishing (Libro electrónico): 9781836803478

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Libro electrónico: 11 de mayo de 2026