Iberia Chronicles

Book excerpt: Iberia Chronicles is a fascinating compendium of all things Spanish and Portuguese football. From the glory and grandeur of Spain's biggest clubs, Real Madrid and Barcelona, to the rise of Portugal's Boavista and Braga along with everything in between, this is a comprehensive guide to the highs and lows of the game in two football-mad countries. The two nations have a vast history in the sport-Portugal started playing in 1875 and Spain 15 years later. Today they are two of the world's top footballing nations. Despite political issues, the Basque region dominated Spanish football in the 1980s, while great managers such as John Toshack and Luis Aragones made their mark in the country. In nearby Portugal, the late bloomers in the sport had an era to be proud of in the 1990s, but it wasn't until 2016 and the European Championships that they tasted true glory. Iberia Chronicles is penned by a collective of 22 writers. Learn about the key players, managers, glories, and downfalls that have shaped the sport in Spain and Portugal.