Castro's biography is funny and moving, zealously researched and lovingly told. This excellent new translation by Andrew Downie means English readers can properly appreciate one of the most incredible lives in the history of sport

Passionate, fascinating and surprisingly moving ... a worthy tribute... According to Gazza, Gascoigne has limited interest in books. He should be persuaded to make an exception for Garrincha. He would learn more about himself than by reading his own autobiography

[A] powerfully atmospheric and beautifully rendered life of one of Brazil's greatest ever players... A sad and fantastic book

[Castro's] research is exhaustive and exemplary

A compelling page-turner, warts and all

Hits the mark

It is wonderfully written - full of wit, gags, self-deprecating asides and a pure, unfettered understanding of a man's limitations - and it talks to all of us. You should buy it. You really should go out straight away and pick up a copy. It'll make you feel so much better

At last the work of genius that will finally bring the long-suffering cricket addict a measure of understanding in the world. A wonderful and very funny book

You read the wonderful Michael Simkins with a mixture of horror and delight

One of Britain's funniest writers

Extremely funny - whether or not you know your bails from your balls

One of the funniest sporting memoirs ever

Almost painfully funny

An all-too honest account of a playing career that just got better and better, despite threatening to go off the rails.

An extraordinary book.

Harrowing and brutally honest...a gripping story.

Brutally honest.

Less a football autobiography, more repentant confessional.

stunning