{"product_id":"kaiser-rob-smyth-9781683584247","title":"Kaiser!: The Greatest Footballer Never to Play Football","description":"\u003cb\u003eThe improbable story of a soccer player who scammed his way into a lengthy career...without ever playing in a game.\u003c\/b\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e Born in Rio Pardo, Brazil, Carlos Henrique Raposo had dreams of becoming a professional soccer (futbol) player. After a youth career at Botafogo and Flamengo, he had his sights set on the future. Whether given the nickname \"Kaiser\" due to his resemblance of superstar Franz Beckenbauer \u003ci\u003eor\u003c\/i\u003e a bottle of Kaiser beer, he used his new-found name to begin a career where he \"wanted to be a footballer, but did not want to play football.\" \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e Thus began a decade-plus career that spanned across Brazil (Botafogo, Flamengo, Bangu, Fluminense, Vasco da Gama, and America), Mexico (Puebla), France (Gazelec Ajaccio), and the United States (El Paso Sixshooters). Relying on his charm and friends in high places--from fellow footballers Carlos Alberto Torres, Ricardo Rocha, and Renato Gaucho, to reporters willing to write \"stories\" of his \"career\"-- Carlos Kaiser used his skills of deception to have a storied career without ever stepping foot on the pitch. \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e Whether faking injuries, having friends lie for him, making up tall tales, or getting thrown out of a match \u003ci\u003ejust\u003c\/i\u003e before taking the field, \u003ci\u003eKaiser  The Greatest Footballer Never to Play Football\u003c\/i\u003e is an incredible story of the lengths one man went to have a professional soccer career without every playing a game. \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e Originally published in the UK, and with a world-renowned documentary released on his life, \u003ci\u003eKaiser \u003c\/i\u003e shares the lengths taken by one man who wanted all the glitz and glory of being a professional athlete . . . without ever having to be an actual athlete. So whether you're a fan of soccer, futbol, professional sports, or stories of cunning and deception, \u003ci\u003eKaiser \u003c\/i\u003e is the story you don't want to miss\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eAuthor:\u003c\/b\u003e Rob Smyth\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eISBN-10:\u003c\/b\u003e 1683584244\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eISBN-13:\u003c\/b\u003e 9781683584247\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePublisher:\u003c\/b\u003e Sports Publishing LLC\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eLanguage:\u003c\/b\u003e English\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePublished:\u003c\/b\u003e 06\/22\/2021\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePages:\u003c\/b\u003e 336\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eFormat:\u003c\/b\u003e Paperback\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eWeight:\u003c\/b\u003e 0.75lbs\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eSize:\u003c\/b\u003e 7.90h x 5.30w x 1.10d","brand":"Rob Smyth","offers":[{"title":"Paperback","offer_id":44149609857279,"sku":"9781683584247","price":19.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0662\/2982\/9887\/files\/img_b6194ec5-62c3-4504-9eb2-922e32bef610.jpg?v=1688457602","url":"https:\/\/www.whiterainbookhouse.com\/products\/kaiser-rob-smyth-9781683584247","provider":"WR Book House","version":"1.0","type":"link"}