Showing titles in Sports & Recreation

Cristiano Ronaldo overcame poverty and childhood illness to become one of the best football players ever. Escaping the hot streets of Madeira, Ronaldo first proved himself as a wonder-kid at Manchester United under Sir Alex Ferguson, before becoming a legend for Real Madrid and Portugal. This is the story of how the gifted boy became a man, a team player and a legend.

Lionel Messi is a legend - Barcelona's star player and the world's best footballer. But when he was young, he was so small that his friends called him 'Little Leo' and coaches worried he wasn't big enough. Yet through bravery, talent and hard work, he proved them wrong. Messi tells the magical story of how the tiniest boy in South America grew up to become the greatest player on earth.

Donnarumma started his professional football career at the age of 14 when he signed with AC Milan and has since broken the record as the youngest goalkeeper to ever play for Italy. He represented his country in the EURO 2020, helping them win the trophy before being awarded Player of the Tournament - the first time a goalkeeper has ever won the title! Ultimate Football Heroes is a series of biographies telling the life stories of the biggest and best footballers in the world and their incredible journeys from childhood fan to superstar professional player.

Norwegian international Erling Haaland is the rising star of Europe. Having already smashed Messi, Ronaldo and Harry Kane's record of quickest player to twenty Champions League goals, 'The Terminator' is proving to be a ruthless, efficient goalscoring machine. At such a young age, the world is his playground. Discover how he's caught the eye of the footballing world and whether he'll pip Mbappe to a Ballon d'Or!

Florian Wirtz is the rising superstar football player who became the youngest scorer in Bundesliga history, earning the player of the season title. In 2025 he transferred to Liverpool following their glorious victory in the Premier League for a club-record fee of approximately £100 million. This transfer made him one of the most expensive footballers of all time. On the international stage, he became Germany's youngest goalscorer in the European Championships at the age of 21. He is now known as one of the best attacking midfielders in the world.

For fans of The Queen's Gambit comes a brand-new book from 11-year-old chess champion Oliver Boydell. How a King Plays features 64 of Boydell's tips, strategies, and ideas to help chess enthusiasts of all ages sharpen their game skills. Whether you're new to chess or a Grandmaster, there's...

Blessed with a natural talent and unwavering determination, Cole Palmer proved himself a footballing prodigy from a young age. Quickly rising through the youth ranks at Manchester City and later joining their main squad as part of the winning team who took home victories for the Premier League, FA cup and UEFA Championship all in the same year, he then signed with Chelsea FC in 2023. Known for his composure, this attacking midfielder is one of the best young footballers in the world.

Neymar da Silva Santos Júnior is the boy who carries the hopes of Brazil on his shoulders. Although he now faces a new challenge at Paris Saint-Germain, it was his years playing for Barcelona, in a fearsome attacking trident alongside Messi and Suarez, that made him a legend across the world. This is the heart-warming true story of Neymar's road to glory.

Proving a gifted footballer from the age of four, Lamine Yamal overcame adversity to sign with La Masia at the age of seven. A talented right winger, Yamal's pace and powerful long-range shots have propelled him in his career to become one of the best young footballers in the world. Follow the story of Lamine Yamal, ultimate football hero, from humble beginnings in Catalonia all the way to being named as UEFA Euro 2024's Young Player of the Tournament.

Hailing from a footballing family, Jude Bellingham started his football career as an under-8 at Birmingham City before going on to make history as the club's youngest ever first-team player when he made his senior debut at the age of 16. His natural talent caught the eye of the scouts at Borussia Dortmund. Joining the German team in 2020, Bellingham became the club's youngest ever goalscorer in his first competitive match. Discover how this midfielder from the West Midlands balanced school and a burgeoning football career to hone his skills.

Born and bred Brummie, Jack Grealish became captain of his boyhood club Aston Villa at just 23 years old. In this gripping story, discover how Jack battled through many ups and downs, like suffering relegation, and overcame these obstacles at each turn. Through his dribbling prowess and ability to get back up when knocked down, Jack became not only the most expensive English player ever when he signed for Man City, but England's poster boy at Euro 2020.

Cristiano Ronaldo is the world's top soccer player. But what happens when he's not scoring on the pitch? High-interest details of his fascinating life will enthrall listeners.

Meet Harry Kane - Ultimate Football Hero. When Harry Kane was released by Arsenal at nine years old for being too small, he had to use all his self-belief to prove that he could make it as a footballer. Now a superstar striker for Tottenham Hotspur and England, his hard work and determination have paid off. Kane is the amazing story of how the boy from North London became the Premier League's most lethal goalscorer.

When Declan Rice was released by Chelsea's youth academy at the age of 14, he was devastated. But he wasn't going to let that get in the way of his Premier League dreams. He worked harder than ever, and by the time he was 20, he was the captain and star of top-flight West Ham. Discover how the two-footed, high-energy, combative midfielder established himself as an irreplaceable member of the England national team and Arsenal's new record signing.

Foden is one of the hottest talents in the world and his rise through the Manchester City first team has been remarkable. He has matured from Man City youth prospect, to the first footballer ever to be named Premier League Young Player of the Season in consecutive years, despite competing for a position in a team of world class players. And this is testament to his silky style of play and natural flair for football.

The story of a poor boy from Brazil who became the greatest soccer player of all time and one of the most important athletes of the twentieth century! His parents may have named him Edson Arantes do Nascimento, but to the rest of the world, he was known as Pelé. The soccer forward stunned...

The story of Marcus Rashford is nothing short of extraordinary - one of the brightest young stars on the Manchester United team, future England goal-scoring legend and shining example of philanthropy off the pitch. From tough beginnings in Manchester, Rashford has proven to be one of the Premier League's shining stars. Harry Kane used all his self-belief to prove that he could make it as a footballer. Now a superstar striker for Tottenham Hotspur and England, his hard work and determination have paid off.

As an energetic six-year-old, Beth Mead was taken to a weekly local football session by her mum. Finding a passion for the game, Beth often found herself as the only girl on the team. Despite being laughed at for this, she let her natural talent do the talking. At 16, Mead was signed to Sunderland where she made a name for herself as a top goalscorer. Putting off offers from Arsenal until she completed her university degree, Mead continued juggling work, study and football until she graduated. She then signed to Arsenal and earned a place as a Lioness, representing the England national team.

Cristiano Ronaldo is a standout professional soccer forward. Learn about his childhood and his rise to becoming a soccer superstar.

Serena Williams is a standout professional tennis player. Learn about her childhood and her rise to becoming a tennis superstar.