Balón Dividido (Crónica Y Ensayo) / Loose Ball (Chronicles and Essays)

A m s de diez a os de su primera publicaci n, esta edici n definitiva de Bal n dividido se mantiene como un cruce perfecto entre literatura y deporte: Villoro se ha ganado el brazalete de capit n , Los Angeles Review of Books.

Como ning n otro deporte, el futbol representa una peculiar manera de reunir a la gente. La expresi n "bal n dividido" se refiere a un momento primordial del juego, cuando dos futbolistas tienen las mismas posibilidades de adue arse de la pelota. Se trata, tambi n, de una impecable definici n de otra actividad: entre el autor y el lector hay un objeto m gico --un libro-- que es de uno sin dejar de ser del otro .

Las cr nicas de Bal n dividido abarcan a excepcionales figuras del balompi --Piqu , Messi, Guardiola, Cristiano Ronaldo, Hugo S nchez-- y establecen conexiones con la literatura, la historia y la psicolog a. El tono general del libro es celebratorio, pero no faltan historias tr gicas, como la de Robert Enke, portero de la selecci n alemana que se tir a las v as del tren, o la de los hermanos Boateng, que reactivan la vieja rencilla entre Ca n y Abel.

ENGLISH DESCRIPTION

More than ten years after its first publication, this definitive edition of Bal n dividido remains a perfect intersection of literature and sport: "Villoro has earned the captain's armband," Los Angeles Review of Books.

Like no other sport, soccer represents a unique way of bringing people together. "The expression 'bal n dividido' refers to a crucial moment in the game, when two players have the same chance to take possession of the ball. It is also an impeccable definition of another activity: between the author and the reader there is a magical object--a book--that belongs to one while still belonging to the other."

The chronicles of Bal n dividido cover exceptional figures of soccer --Piqu , Messi, Guardiola, Cristiano Ronaldo, Hugo S nchez-- and establish connections with literature, history, and psychology. The overall tone of the book is celebratory, but tragic stories are also present, such as that of Robert Enke, goalkeeper of the German national team who threw himself onto the train tracks, or that of the Boateng brothers, who reignite the old feud between Cain and Abel.