It feels as though any sports star can release a biography these days and we have done the hard work for all you book worms in finding five of the best that go further than just discussing winning trophies and living the life of luxury.
5. Peter Crouch – How To Be A Footballer
Former England and Premier League forward Crouch is known to be a larger than life character and his autobiography is unsurprisingly not just a book of football cliches.
Crouch instead gives an insight into the life of a footballer both on and off the pitch, revealing personal anecdotes regarding subjects such as cars, tattoos and going out.
The 39-year-old’s stories are as hilarious as they are honest and, if he were still playing, he may well have got into trouble for some of the antics he was involved in.
The book is a brief 292-page insight into as much Crouch the man as it is the footballer and that is undoubtedly one of the reasons he is one of the games best-loved and recognisable characters.
4. Sir Alex Ferguson – Leading
All good biographies should be able to capture the interest of people that may not even have a particular passion for the subject in question and Ferguson’s book ‘Leading’ certainly does that.
The Scot, who of course enjoyed 27 trophy-laden years as Manchester United manager, discusses in great detail just why he was so successful in his field, delivering inside knowledge that can be transferred into all lines of business, both in and out of sport, including politics.
Ferguson doesn’t just discuss what he got right, but also his mistakes and the lessons he learned from them, while the book also gives a fascinating insight into the mind of one of the best football managers of all time.
3. Andre Agassi – Open
Tennis great Agassi’s autobiography is certainly an open discussion into the pain and anguish that elite level sports stars can suffer.
The eight-time Grand Slam champion openly discusses his drug problems and his failed first marriage, all of which took place while he was at the peak of his powers.
The most interesting angle of the book is perhaps the anti-sports feeling it generates, with Agassi seemingly having never been in love with the game that, at times, he dominated, instead seeing it more as a means to an end rather than a passion.
2. Robert Enke – A Life Too Short
This truly is an emotional story that goes well beyond the world of sport.
German goalkeeper Enke seemingly had the world at his feet, having played for great football clubs such as Benfica and Barcelona and was being tipped by many to be his country’s number one at the 2010 World Cup.
However, in November 2009, Enke tragically took his own life at the age of just 32 and it was later revealed he had been suffering from depression.
Before his death, Enke had been hoping to write his autobiography with author Ronald Reng, who continued with the book after the goalkeeper’s passing, telling the story of not only his friend’s football career but also the battles he faced off the pitch.
1. Marcus Trescothick – Coming Back To Me
Former England international cricketer Trescothick’s autobiography also deals with depression within sport, as he goes into great detail about the struggles he faced, particularly when touring oversees.
The now 44-year-old reveals how the anxiety he felt when touring forced him to return home three times before he ultimately decided to retire from international cricket altogether at just 30-years-old – a time when he should have been at the very top of his profession.
The honesty and openness that Trescothick speaks with is harrowing and intriguing, while it came at a time in 2008 when perhaps mental health was not spoken about as openly as it is now.
