Margins
Goal! book cover 1
Goal! book cover 2
Goal! book cover 3
Goal!
Series · 3 books · 2005-2007

Books in series

GOAL! book cover
#1

GOAL!

2005

While growing up on the tough streets of Los Angeles, Santiago's greatest joy is playing soccer. So it is a dream come true when a British scout sees him playing in the park and offers him a trial with one of England's top Premiership clubs. Determined to succeed, Santiago leaves behind his struggling family and his modest home, and flies halfway around the world to give it his best shot. But it's not smooth sailing when Santiago arrives in northern England. Team practices are intense, and in this place where people live and breathe the sport, many seem eager to find fault with the new Latino player from L.A. The pressure even spurs Santiago to keep a secret that could sabotage his performance. There is no doubt that Santiago has skill, flair, and dedication. But does he have the stamina he will need for the English game? Based on the action-packed movie, Goal! is a gripping tale of trial and tribulation set against the backdrop of the world's most popular and exciting sport.
Goal Ii book cover
#2

Goal Ii

2007

The exciting world of professional soccer comes to life in this compelling sequel to GOAL! The Dream Begins . Young soccer player Santiago Munez has come a long way from the barrios of Los Angeles. He has become one of Newcastle United’s most outstanding players. He is so good, in fact, that he is recruited for one of the world’s best teams, Real Madrid. So Santiago leaves dreary northern England for the sunny shores of Spain. As part of Real Madrid, he is no longer just a soccer player—he’s also a celebrity. He can now afford fast cars, a fancy house, and practically anything else he’s ever dreamed of. But these luxuries come with a He is constantly swarmed by paparazzi. And while Santiago travels the world with the team, his fiancée, Roz, is left behind most of the time, uneasy about his fast-paced new lifestyle. Santiago struggles to keep his balance, but when someone from his past unexpectedly resurfaces in Madrid, his charmed life begins to crumble. Will Santiago be able to keep playing great soccer while dealing with the pressures—and temptations—of fame?
GOAL book cover
#3

GOAL

Glory Days

2007

You saw him on the screen in the hit movies The Dream Begins and GOAL Living the Dream. Now the saga of young professional soccer player Santiago Muñez continues in this final installment of the GOAL trilogy. With a fresh start and a warm welcome from his old fans in Newcastle, Santi returns to England and to the team where his career began. Soon he’s back at the top of his game, and when he is selected for a 2010 World Cup squad, it seems as if his dream of playing in the World Cup finals is within reach. But when Santi is injured during an international warm-up game, he worries that this could be the end of it all. With no time to waste, the pressure is on for him to get back on the field. Will his injury keep him from achieving his ultimate goal? Or will he recover in time to play in the greatest competition of his life?

Author

Robert Rigby
Author · 7 books
Robert Rigby began his career as a journalist, then spent several years in the music business as a songwriter and session musician. He turned to writing for radio, television, and the theatre, and has also directed and performed in children’s theatre throughout the country. He has become an established young people’s playwright, and his award-winning work with youth theatre companies has been seen in Britain, Europe, the USA, and Africa. He wrote the novelizations of the movies Goal! and Goal II, and his scripts for television include the long-running BBC children’s drama series, Byker Grove.
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