{"product_id":"the-beautiful-game-nicholas-m-watanabe-9798216376002","title":"The Beautiful Game?: The Stories Shaping the Future of Soccer","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eA unique and global perspective on the issues facing the beautiful game in today's complex world.\u003c\/b\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003eSoccer isn't just a sport anymore. It's a 24\/7 obsession, a global business empire, a land of have and have-nots, a spectacle that most of the world is in love with. Yet, despite this obsession, most fans remain relatively unaware of the inner workings of the sport. \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003eIn \u003ci\u003eThe Beautiful Game? The Stories Shaping the Future of Soccer\u003c\/i\u003e, Nicholas M. Watanabe poses thought-provoking questions about the state of soccer, blending storytelling with detailed investigations to uncover the hidden machinery behind the world's most popular sport. Each chapter focuses on a unique soccer topic that has important implications for the entire sport, ranging from the business of soccer and financial management-as seen through an examination of what led Messi to Miami-to player welfare-explored through a critical look at the knee injury crisis in women's soccer. Other issues include the Saudi World Cup, players competing in too many games, analytics, technology, American investors, and more. \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ci\u003eThe Beautiful Game?\u003c\/i\u003e is a multifaceted view of modern soccer that promises to challenge, enlighten, and occasionally unsettle readers. Whether you're a die-hard fan or a casual observer, Watanabe offers a fresh perspective on this truly global sport, revealing the complex ecosystem that underpins the beautiful game.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eAuthor:\u003c\/b\u003e Nicholas M. Watanabe\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eISBN-13:\u003c\/b\u003e 9798216376002\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePublisher:\u003c\/b\u003e Bloomsbury Academic\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eLanguage:\u003c\/b\u003e English\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePublished:\u003c\/b\u003e 04\/16\/2026\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePages:\u003c\/b\u003e 264\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eFormat:\u003c\/b\u003e Hardcover\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eWeight:\u003c\/b\u003e 1.00lbs\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eSize:\u003c\/b\u003e 9.00h x 6.00w x 1.00d","brand":"Nicholas M. Watanabe","offers":[{"title":"Hardcover","offer_id":48114067636479,"sku":"9798216376002","price":38.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0662\/2982\/9887\/files\/img_dc76eec2-9285-4aa5-9f17-1f83bc8153ff.jpg?v=1769618903","url":"https:\/\/www.whiterainbookhouse.com\/products\/the-beautiful-game-nicholas-m-watanabe-9798216376002","provider":"WR Book House","version":"1.0","type":"link"}