World Soccer Kings

An exuberant collection of poems about soccer stars around the world crackles with Charles R. Smith’s indomitable wordplay, matched by graphic, dynamic photos of the players in action.

Mercurial magician Lionel Messi is on a goal-scoring mission. Erling Haaland earns the nickname Striking Viking (Hat trick! / Off the head / GOAL!). Whether the poems in this book are cheering for the Pennsylvania Pel?, Christian Pulisic; Cristiano Ronaldo, with his record-breaking right; or “Blue Blur” Kylian Mbapp?, who torches the net with his afterburn blast, Charles R. Smith Jr.’s high-energy verse, paired with stylized, kinetic photographs, celebrates the talents of an international roster of soccer superstars. End notes bring in more background on the subjects and delve into the way the author uses poetic forms to highlight each player’s unique gifts.

Author: Charles R. Smith Jr
Binding Type: Hardcover
Publisher: Candlewick Press (MA)
Published: 03/24/2026
Series: Sports Royalty
Pages: 48
Weight: 1.25lbs
ISBN: 9781536234879
Language: English