LIONEL MESSI'S WORLD CUP TRIUMPH

A breathless account of the spectacular 2022 FIFA World Cup final, in which storied veteran Lionel Messi led Argentina to victory over France’s hot young superstar Kylian Mbappé.

“It will be the ultimate test,” gushes Barish’s fictive commentator. “A battle of wills, playing styles, and mental fortitude.” The author starts with a colorful history of soccer highlighted by the World War I “Christmas Truce” and the first World Cup competition in 1930, plus a quick recap of Messi’s long career. Next, a play-by-play summary chronicles a fierce match featuring heroic feats and comebacks, goals blasted into the net, and finally a pulse-pounding shootout to decide the winner. With full-throttle drama, Sweitzer depicts huge stadiums, broad pitches, players flying gracefully through the air or gathering themselves at crucial moments before taking their shots, and riotous masses of madly cheering spectators. Along with occasional breaks in the action for brief history lessons and trivia questions (with answers included in the backmatter), a closing “Fan Showdown” pits talking heads in a lively debate over whether Messi or Diego Maradona merits the title of Argentina’s greatest player. A generous source list will help undecided readers make up their own minds. The sport’s distinctively international character is reflected in the diversity of faces and figures in the art.

High drama and nonstop action.