Best Soccer Books for 9 Year Olds (2026): 5 Compared

Messi or Ronaldo, the debate never ends, and the best soccer books for 9 year olds cover both. We compared five soccer books by fit, contents and edition, value, and the listed reading age, using only what each listing publishes.

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The picks

#	Product	Shelf Score	Buy
1	Messi and Ronaldo: The GOATs	9.7/10	Buy on Amazon
2	Inspirational Soccer Stories	9.7/10	Buy on Amazon
3	NatGeo Everything Soccer	9.6/10	Buy on Amazon
4	The Soccer Adventure of Messi	9.6/10	Buy on Amazon
5	Ronaldo: Boy Who Became a Star	9.6/10	Buy on Amazon

1

Messi and Ronaldo: The GOATs

The Scribbling Stricker·9.7/10 Shelf Score

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The Shelf Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs fit for the reader or goal (35 points), contents and edition (25), value (25) and listed reading age or level (10, where the listing gives one), using only what the book listing states. How we pick ›

A 113-page guide to Messi and Ronaldo for ages 6 to 9; skip it for picture books.

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Pros

• Reading age 6 to 9, the exact target
• 113 pages, published May 23, 2025
• Covers both Messi and Ronaldo

Cons

• Reading age is marked as from customers
• From an independent publisher
• A guide, not a story

2

Inspirational Soccer Stories

Lucas Martin·9.7/10 Shelf Score

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The Shelf Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs fit for the reader or goal (35 points), contents and edition (25), value (25) and listed reading age or level (10, where the listing gives one), using only what the book listing states. How we pick ›

112 pages of soccer stories for ages 8 to 12; skip it for younger 9-year-olds.

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Pros

• 112 pages of inspirational stories
• Reading age 8 to 12 is stated
• Published September 6, 2024

Cons

• Reading age is marked as from customers
• Aimed above age 9
• From an independent publisher

3

NatGeo Everything Soccer

Blake Hoena·9.6/10 Shelf Score

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The Shelf Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs fit for the reader or goal (35 points), contents and edition (25), value (25) and listed reading age or level (10, where the listing gives one), using only what the book listing states. How we pick ›

A 64-page NatGeo fact book for ages 7 to 9; skip it for stories.

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Pros

• National Geographic Kids quality
• 64 pages of soccer facts
• Reading age 7 to 9 covers the target

Cons

• Reading age is marked as from customers
• 2014, the oldest here
• Facts, not stories

4

The Soccer Adventure of Messi

Andrew Carter·9.6/10 Shelf Score

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The Shelf Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs fit for the reader or goal (35 points), contents and edition (25), value (25) and listed reading age or level (10, where the listing gives one), using only what the book listing states. How we pick ›

A 40-page illustrated book for ages 6 to 8; skip it for older readers.

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Pros

• Illustrated soccer book
• 40 pages, published May 12, 2025
• Reading age 6 to 8 is stated

Cons

• Reading age is marked as from customers
• Aimed below age 9
• From an independent publisher

5

Ronaldo: Boy Who Became a Star

Steve Herman·9.6/10 Shelf Score

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The Shelf Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs fit for the reader or goal (35 points), contents and edition (25), value (25) and listed reading age or level (10, where the listing gives one), using only what the book listing states. How we pick ›

A 38-page book for ages 6 to 8; skip it for longer reads.

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Pros

• A Ronaldo biography for kids
• 38 pages, quick read
• Reading age 6 to 8 is stated

Cons

• Reading age is marked as from customers
• Aimed below age 9
• 2017, older than the 2025 picks

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More picks to compare

• Fancy Nancy: Soccer ManiaFor ages 6 to 10: 144 pages, 2016.Check on Amazon
• GOALLLLLL! Mad LibsFor ages 8 to 11: 48 pages, 2022.Check on Amazon
• Soccer StarsFor ages 8 to 12: 112 pages, 2025.Check on Amazon
• 2,501 Soccer FactsFor ages 8 to 12: 216 pages, 2025.Check on Amazon
• Would You Rather? SoccerFor soccer fans: 126 pages, 2026.Check on Amazon

Compare the picks

Book details as published on each listing, collected 20 October 2026.

How we scored them

The Shelf Score weighs fit for the reader, contents and edition, value, and the listed reading age where one is given. Every pick here lists a reading age, all marked as from customers. How we pick explains the weights.

Scores run from 9.2 to 9.8: each book’s point total is placed on that range, so more points always means a higher score. Reading age or level counts on a list where at least one listing gives one, and a book whose listing gives none then scores zero on it. Where no listing gives one, the score is taken over the other 85 points. Books carry no warranty, so warranty is not scored.

How to choose the best soccer books for 9 year olds

Match the reading age

Messi and Ronaldo: The Soccer GOATs lists 6 to 9 years, the exact target. Everything Soccer lists 7 to 9, while Inspirational Soccer Stories lists 8 to 12 and the two picture books list 6 to 8. All five are marked as from customers. For a 9-year-old, the 6 to 9 and 7 to 9 picks are the closest fit.

Stories or facts

Three picks tell player stories: the GOATs, Inspirational Soccer Stories and the Ronaldo book. One is a fact book: NatGeo Everything Soccer. The Messi Adventure is an illustrated story. Know whether the reader wants stories or facts before you choose. Older readers have their own list at best sports books for 11 year olds.

Length and edition

Pages run from 38 to 113. The two 2025 books are the newest, while the NatGeo book is from 2014. Check the publisher and date on the listing to pick the right edition. More age-matched lists are on our best history books for 9 year olds.

Before you buy

• Check the listed reading age against the child; all five are marked as from customers.
• Decide between player stories, facts and illustrated books before you shop.
• Note the publication date and publisher on the listing to pick the right edition.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which soccer book is best for a 9-year-old?

Messi and Ronaldo: The Soccer GOATs lists a reading age of 6 to 9 years, with 113 pages from 2025.

Is there a soccer fact book?

Yes: National Geographic Kids Everything Soccer, 64 pages for ages 7 to 9, from 2014.

Which are the shortest books here?

Ronaldo: A Boy Who Became A Star at 38 pages and The Soccer Adventure of Messi at 40 pages.

Still deciding? Our top pickMessi and Ronaldo: The GOATs

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Related lists

See every middle grade list and all kids and teens lists. Also see our best sports books for 11 year olds. Also see our best history books for 9 year olds.

More lists: funny books for 11 year olds, fact books for 11 year olds and football books for 11 year olds.