The World through Soccer

The worlds most popular sport, soccer is a global and cultural phenomenon. The television audience for the 2010 World Cup included nearly half of the worlds population, with viewers in nearly every country. As a reflection of soccers significance, the sport impacts countless aspects of the worlds culture, from politics and religion to business and the arts. In The World through Soccer: The Cultural Impact of a Global Sport, Tamir Bar-On utilizes soccer to provide insights into worldwide politics, religion, ethics, marketing, business, leadership, philosophy, and the arts. Bar-On examines the ways in which soccer influences and reflects these aspects of society, and vice versa. Each chapter features representative players, providing specific examples of how soccer comments on and informs our lives. These playersselected from a wide array of eras, countries, and backgroundsinclude Diego Maradona, Pel, Hugo Snchez, Cha Bum-Kun, Roger Milla, Jos Luis Chilavert, Zinedine Zidane, Paolo Maldini, Cristiano Ronaldo, Xavi, Neymar, Clint Dempsey, Mia Hamm, and many others. Employing a unique lens to view a variety of topics, The World through Soccer reveals the sports profound cultural impact. Combining philosophical, popular, and academic insights about our world, this book is aimed at both soccer fans and academics, offering readers a new perspective into a sport that affects millions.