4 Professional Soccer Books for Beginners to Build Your Skills

Discover beginner-friendly professional soccer books authored by experts like Agustín Peraita and Marco Ossa, offering clear guidance to start your journey.

Updated on June 28, 2025
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Starting fresh in professional soccer can feel overwhelming — the field is vast, the tactics complex, and the physical demands high. Yet, the beautiful thing about professional soccer is that anyone willing to learn can build a solid foundation step by step. These books make that process accessible, guiding you through key concepts without drowning you in jargon or assuming prior knowledge.

Each book in this collection offers a unique doorway into professional soccer, authored by individuals who bring deep expertise and firsthand experience. Agustín Peraita shares insights into the tactical genius of Pep Guardiola's Barcelona, while Marco Ossa reveals the rigorous training behind Diego Maradona’s peak. Vasilis Papadakis breaks down speed drills tailored for soccer players, and Dean Caslake with Guy Branston paint an honest picture of the professional journey.

While these beginner-friendly books provide excellent foundations, readers seeking content tailored to their specific learning pace and goals might consider creating a personalized Professional Soccer book that meets them exactly where they are. This approach complements expert guidance with a customized path toward your soccer ambitions.

Best for understanding pro career realities
The Footballer's Journey stands out in professional soccer literature by offering newcomers an honest roadmap to becoming and staying a pro. Unlike technical manuals, it dives into the often overlooked psychological and practical challenges players face, such as managing expectations and developing resilience. This book appeals especially to those starting out, providing clarity on what the professional soccer world demands and how to prepare for its ups and downs. It directly addresses the gap between amateur dreams and professional realities, making it a solid foundation for anyone eager to understand the sport beyond the pitch.
2014·164 pages·Professional Soccer, Career Development, Mindset, Player Development, Academy System

Drawing from their direct experience within professional football, Dean Caslake and Guy Branston offer a candid guide that demystifies the path from amateur to pro. You learn not just technical skills but crucial mindset shifts—how commitment, resilience after rejection, and having a backup plan shape your journey. Chapters explore academy realities and the sacrifices demanded, illustrating these points with stories from current and former pros across leagues. If you want a grounded perspective on what it truly takes, this book lays out the expectations and challenges without sugarcoating, making it particularly useful for those new to the professional soccer world.

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Best for learning elite athlete training
Marco Ossa’s firsthand account as Diego Maradona’s last personal trainer offers an unparalleled perspective on the life and preparation of a soccer icon. This autobiographical work meticulously details the daily training, diet, and supplements that helped Maradona achieve his legendary status, making it an accessible starting point for anyone new to professional soccer. By sharing personal anecdotes and behind-the-scenes challenges, the book illuminates the complexities of maintaining peak performance amid external pressures. It’s a compelling resource for those eager to understand the physical and mental demands faced by top-level athletes.
2023·456 pages·Professional Soccer, Athlete Training, Nutrition, Sports Psychology, Physical Conditioning

The methods Marco Ossa developed during his 25 years as Diego Maradona's personal trainer and nutritional advisor offer a rare window into the physical and mental preparation of one of soccer’s greatest legends. You’ll discover intimate details about Maradona’s daily routines, training regimens, diet, and supplement use that shaped his peak performance, including challenges posed by external pressures like FIFA. This book also sheds light on the personal friendship between Ossa and Maradona, providing context beyond the field. If you're fascinated by the behind-the-scenes aspects of professional soccer and want to understand how elite athletes maintain their edge, this detailed memoir delivers candid insights without glossing over the complexities.

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Best for gradual skill building
This AI-created book on professional soccer fundamentals is tailored to your skill level and goals. By sharing your background and what aspects of soccer interest you most, the book is crafted to focus on building your confidence step by step. It removes the overwhelm common for beginners by concentrating on key basics in a way that matches your pace and comfort. This personalized approach helps you develop a strong foundation without unnecessary complexity or jargon.
2025·50-300 pages·Professional Soccer, Basic Techniques, Game Rules, Player Positions, Ball Control

This tailored book introduces you to professional soccer by focusing on foundational skills and concepts designed for complete beginners. It examines the essential elements of the game, from basic ball control and positioning to understanding common tactics and rules. By matching your background and addressing your specific goals, it offers a learning experience paced to build your confidence gradually and remove overwhelm. Each chapter reveals core principles through clear explanations and targeted practice, making the vast world of professional soccer approachable. The personalized content ensures that your journey starts with what matters most for your comfort and skill level, allowing you to develop a solid base for future growth.

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Best for improving soccer speed skills
Vasilis Papadakis’ 33 Soccer Speed Drills offers a straightforward approach to enhancing speed for soccer players, focusing on the essential physical and cognitive elements needed on the pitch. Designed for both amateur and professional teams from under-14s to adult players, this book presents drills that improve sensing, decision-making, reaction, and running speed through clear, full-color instructions. It’s an inviting starting point for coaches and players aiming to develop speed in a structured yet accessible way, addressing a key performance need within professional soccer training.
33 Soccer Speed Drills book cover

by Vasilis Papadakis·You?

2019·37 pages·Professional Soccer, Soccer Coaching, Soccer, Speed Training, Agility Drills

What sets this book apart is its clear focus on speed development tailored specifically for soccer players aged U14 to 18+, whether amateur or professional. Vasilis Papadakis draws on his deep understanding of the game's physical demands to break down speed into sensing, decision, reaction, and running components, providing drills that sharpen each aspect. As you work through the drills, you'll gain practical ways to enhance your players' quickness and responsiveness on the field, with visually engaging full-color layouts making the exercises easy to follow. This book suits coaches and trainers looking for focused, accessible methods to boost speed without overwhelming newcomers to soccer training.

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Best for grasping advanced soccer tactics
Agustín Peraita is FCBareclona Sao Paulo Escola Technical Director and a UEFA Pro Coach with extensive experience coaching Catalan youth teams such as CE Sabadell and UE Vilassar. Motivated by a desire to share the tactical brilliance of Pep Guardiola's Barcelona, he authored this guide to unpack the complex playing philosophy and coaching methodology behind one of football's most celebrated teams. His background ensures this book offers a thorough and methodical approach tailored for coaches eager to adopt Guardiola’s style in their own squads.
2016·104 pages·Soccer Coaching, Professional Soccer, Tactical Periodization, Positional Play, Training Planning

Unlike most soccer coaching books that focus on broad strategies, this guide zeroes in on Pep Guardiola's specific tactical approach during Barcelona's dominant 2009-2010 season. Agustín Peraita, drawing on his experience as FCBEscola Technical Director and UEFA Pro Coach, breaks down detailed training plans, tactical periodization, and positional play that shaped Barça's style. You'll learn how to structure preseason training, implement possession-based play, and develop your team's tactical intelligence—even if your players aren't elite. This book suits coaches who want a deep dive into Guardiola’s methods, though it demands some football coaching background to fully grasp its depth.

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Conclusion

This selection of four books captures the essence of starting out in professional soccer — from understanding the mental and physical demands to mastering tactical play and physical conditioning. If you're completely new, "The Footballer's Journey" offers a grounded perspective on what lies ahead and the mindset required. For a practical boost, "33 Soccer Speed Drills" helps sharpen essential physical skills.

To deepen your understanding of high-level tactics, "Play Like Pep Guardiola's Barcelona" provides a detailed look at one of the game’s most influential styles, perfect as you gain confidence. Meanwhile, "HOW I TRAINED DIEGO MARADONA" opens a window into elite athlete preparation, inspiring your dedication.

Alternatively, you can create a personalized Professional Soccer book that fits your exact needs, interests, and goals to create your own personalized learning journey. Remember, the stronger your foundation early on, the better your chances to develop lasting skills and succeed on the pitch.

Frequently Asked Questions

I'm overwhelmed by choice – which book should I start with?

Start with "The Footballer's Journey" for a clear, honest overview of what professional soccer entails. It sets realistic expectations and helps you prepare mentally and physically before diving into technical details.

Are these books too advanced for someone new to Professional Soccer?

No, each book is beginner-friendly and explains concepts clearly. For instance, "33 Soccer Speed Drills" offers simple, practical exercises, while "Play Like Pep Guardiola's Barcelona" introduces tactics without assuming prior coaching experience.

What's the best order to read these books?

Begin with "The Footballer's Journey" to understand the pro environment, then "33 Soccer Speed Drills" to build physical skills. Follow with "Play Like Pep Guardiola's Barcelona" for tactical insight, and finally "HOW I TRAINED DIEGO MARADONA" for inspiration on elite training.

Do I really need any background knowledge before starting?

No background is needed. These books are designed to build your knowledge from the ground up, guiding you through foundational concepts and skills essential for professional soccer.

Which book gives the most actionable advice I can use right away?

"33 Soccer Speed Drills" provides practical drills you can start practicing immediately to improve your speed and reaction on the field.

Can I get a book tailored to my specific soccer interests and skill level?

Yes! While these expert books offer great foundations, you can also create a personalized Professional Soccer book tailored to your unique goals and pace, complementing expert insights with a customized learning path.

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