The most popular books about sports in Russia. "Icons of Sports" by Bombora Publishing House

Sports are watched, cheered for and read about. This is evidenced by the number of books sold and the huge number of reviews. We decided to find out about the most popular book novelties of this year. As part of our special project,BomboraPublishing shared its top 10 books in the Icons of Sport series by sales for 2020.

Conor McGregor. Life Without Rules

How did a brash guy with no skills, money or discipline become one of the best fighters in the world? Revelations from John Kavanagh, who led Conor McGregor to the top of the UFC.

McGregor himself says: “What would have become of my life if John Kavanagh hadn’t appeared in it? It’s impossible to answer that question right now, of course. And I’m very grateful to John for the fact that I don’t have to think about it.”

More than 22,000 copies have been sold. This is 6 times more compared to the average circulation of a book in Russia (average circulation of a book – 3700). The edition in Russian was ordered to Canada and Spain.

Cristiano Ronaldo. Obsessed with perfection + poster

When writing the book, the author interviewed Ronaldo’s family and friends, coaches, doctors and sports journalists, collecting memories of people who accompanied Cristiano at different stages of his life and career.

It is a story of success, struggle and well-deserved victories. Each chapter reveals a new side of Cristiano Ronaldo. It is worth reading it at least to understand the man who always achieves what he wants in sports and everyday life.

More than 25 thousand copies were sold. The book in Russian was ordered to Spain, Canada, America and Australia.

Jackie Chan. I am happy

As an experienced director, Jackie Chan does not just tell about his life, but creates several time spaces, taking the reader to different periods of his life.

With the help of the book, the reader will be able to touch the story of a man with an incredible biography. Together with him you will pass the way from a stunt director of low-budget commercials to the director and actor of box-office pictures, from a poor waiter to a patron of the arts and collector of antiques.

The sold out circulation of “Jackie Chan. I am happy” in 24 thousand copies 6.5 times more compared to the average circulation in Russia. The book was ordered to various parts of Russia, for example, to Yakutia.

Bastian Schweinsteiger. The heart of the team

The will to win is in his every move.

Bastian’s story: from childhood to fateful moments, such as at the Maracana in 2014, when he fought to the very end. This is a book about a strong personality that will tell everything that contributed to its formation.

Unai Emery. The Maestro

A biography of the outstanding coach.

You will learn how the Basque specialist achieved success in Spain and France, spent a year at Spartak and went to conquer London.

Streltsov. Will to live

The dramatic fate of Eduard Streltsov is a legend of Soviet sports. At the age of 18 he became the best scorer of the USSR, but faced “on the field” with the political system.

He was a true phenomenon. The 1958 World Cup could have been Streltsov’s benefit on the international stage, if not for the tragic events that took place later.

Messi. Genius of soccer

(2nd ed., revised, abridged).

What qualities do you need to possess to become the “golden boy” of soccer? The Messi phenomenon – in the stories of coaches, colleagues, friends and family.

Renowned sports journalist Guillem Balague provides a full and nuanced analysis of the legendary soccer player’s story.

Michael Jordan. His Airness

The story of the phenomenal success of Jordan, who in high school, university, and the Chicago Bulls went on the court only to win.

The author – American journalist and writer Roland Lazenby – says that this was not the champion that fans remembered him as.

The book in Russian has been ordered to Sweden, Spain, Australia and France.

Lev Yashin. I am a legend

Yashin is the only goalkeeper in history who received the “Golden Ball”.

The athlete himself said: “Only those who have courage and strength of character can exist in soccer. Those who work tirelessly on their skills, who adopt other people’s experience and are not afraid to borrow knowledge and skills accumulated by the older generation of footballers. Those who do not give up after the first failures and find the strength to eliminate mistakes. Those who do not get cocky in front of their teammates and team, behave modestly and friendly towards others, but at the same time does not hide a critical attitude towards themselves and teammates.”.

Absolutely Honest. Frank Lampard’s autobiography

The nephew of the legendary coach Harry Rednapp, who immortalized his name in the history of soccer, honestly talks about what he had to go through on this path.

Frank started out at West Ham’s prestigious academy. His uncle is the legendary coach Harry Rednapp, his father is a former professional footballer. Parents have never been poor. It would seem that Lampard is very lucky. But luck alone is not enough if you want to become the best.