Some quality reading

I just read through the newest edition of 4-4-2 Magazine and it is a must-have, particularly if you are a Kaka fan.

This got me to thinking about the best soccer magazines out there. As you know, there seems to be a new batch of soccer magazines every time I hit the bookstore. Unfortunately, the list of top three magazines hasn't changed in years. For me, there are only three:

• Champions League- Quality writing, amazing photography, access to the world's best players and more in-depth tactical info and commentary than any other magazine. I first saw this magazine at a Manchester United Champions League match four years ago and was thoroughly impressed. It didn't reach American newsstands until a few years later. The price is high, but it has actually gotten cheaper ($8.50)
• 4-4-2- This English footy mag is heavy on the EPL and lower divisions but it always has outstanding features and very good investigative pieces. The Best XI feature, which asks soccer's most well known players and coaches to name their picks for a Best XI, is always a treat. It is also pricey ($8.50) but worth it.
• World Soccer- Some very good commentary from some of the sport's best critics and tidbits from all over the world. Their Talent Scout feature is a great place to learn about the sport's best young players to watch. Not as pricey ($6.95) but not cheap.

If you love European soccer and these magazines aren't already a regular part of your routine then you need to hit the bookstore and check them out.

I will look to do a monthly overview of these magazines in the near future so you know what's coming.

Comments

[lakaix15]

i like SBI better its really good Ives have you ever heard of it ;)

[C]

WSC is also a pretty good one

[Adam Spangler]

Beat me to it Ives. I was going to do this for American soccer magazines. But you left me a window because you've chosen all international mags here. There has been a rash of new US soccer publications as well.

[Dennis A.]

WSC is a good read...if you can find it....also Calcio Italia is a must for any Serie A fan.

[Ives]

I have to be honest and say I just don't have time to read the American magazines. Whenever I get my hands on a Soccer America I will check it out but that's about it. The new Major League Soccer magazine looks nice but the information in the first one I read felt so dated to me. I guess that's my problem. For the most part I will have already heard most of what I will find in American magazines. I will leaf through them on occasion when at Barnes & Noble but have yet to find one that compelled me to take it home. (Yes, I just killed any chance of writing for any of them. Damn. LOL)

We need Spangler to be hired on by one of these magazines to write a nice two thousand word piece on somebody. I would read that.

[Steve W]

If you speak French, France Football may very well be the best footie magazine around. 4-4-2 runs it close though.

[Ryan]

Major League Soccer Magazine is amazing...not

[Ryan]

on a serious note...for player interviews, SHOOT is decent... but the three Ives has listed are clearly the best

[Scott, PA]

Ives. What is your take on the Binya foul in the Celtic/Benfica match? Discraceful if you ask me. What kind of suspension do you think he is looking at?

[bc]

I actually enjoyed the last issue of Major League Soccer Magazine. I thought the articles on Chivas USA and Cletus' marriage were pretty good.

The Champions League magazine is too glossy for me. It's less a footy magazine than an advertisement for the CL.

[Kinney]

Adam - I will look forward to reading your account of American Soccer magazines. I came here to as Ives just that. Other than Soccer America, 90:00, and Major League Soccer what else is there?

Oh, and nobody get a subscription to Major League Soccer if you are in a major market area. Basically it costs the same amount as it does at Barnes & Noble and it gets delivered to B&N first. Because I have a B&N membership card I actually lost money by getting the subscription.

[Tim]

Great idea Ives!

My younger kids like the magazines with tons of photos like Kick, Match and Shoot; definitely not review worthy.

[George H.]

Ives,

Good call on these. At first glance, CL looks like a glossy, lightweight propaganda piece for UEFA, but it does have some very good content in it. Definitely worth a read.

[Michael]

I'm not a big fan of 4-4-2 because of its English-centro stories, but they do have a great monthly feature in which they visit a local derby around the globe.

[Dave]

90:00 soccer mag isn't bad it is produced in the US and has a similar format to 4-4-2. They have a pretty good internet radio station and have some interesting stories. The biggest upside is price since it is made in the US you can get it for around 5 bucks and a one year subscription which is 12 magazines is around 30 bucks.

[jmonte]

DON BALON SEÑOR!

[Tim]

The 4-4-2 copy that I have has the central feature on Wenger, not Kaka. Does 4-4-2 have different materials for different regions?

[Brad]

You want "Shoot monthly." "Shoot" is a kids' soccer magazine.

[AndyMead]

I guess you're going to force me to publish another issue.

[stembiso]

Greetings ,

I'm stembiso stuurman from south africa
now working in bahrain in the gulf .

I'm 25 years of age and a soccer fanatic . My wish
was to play soccer as a profession but because of my
age and fact that i have not yet started playing in a professional
level , i have find it very difficult to get into the game .

My request to your office is , is there any possible way
that i get into as a youth coach and implement my soccer
knowledge with the kids/youth and pursuit a career in that relevent
line ?

Kindly :
--
s.stuurman

Tell number :+973 39 717436