The writer and journalist Aníbal Litvin establishes himself as one of the best-selling and most read writers every year; He is a prolific writer, with innovative ideas and current proposals.
On this occasion, on Saturday, May 11 at 1:30 p.m., the author presents his new editorial “Messi’s Golden Book” at the Buenos Aires Book Fair. The work celebrates the great genius of world football and includes curious facts, goals, anecdotes, records, songs and everything amazing that surrounds the Best Player in the World.
This new “Golden Book” appears after the success of “The Golden Book of the 2022 World Cup,” which has already had three editions in one year and has become one of the best-selling books in the last 12 months.
Litvin, who has lived in Rafaela for 13 years, points out that “the football and World Cup books have allowed boys and girls to get closer to the world of books” and announces that in June “there will be a new Golden Book to complete the trilogy.” ”.
In dialogue with LA OPINIÓN, he commented on details of this new book and his writing process, always striking.
How do you feel about your new presentation at the Book Fair? Is it still a surprise every year or have you gotten used to it?
Aníbal Litvin: How I feel? Anxious as always. Looking forward to being in contact with readers. In addition, it is accompanied by the presentation of a new book “Messi’s Golden Book”. So it’s very motivating. Not only because it is the Buenos Aires Book Fair, in 2023 I have been invited to other Book Fairs in San Francisco, Córdoba, Goya, Corrientes, and I think it is super important to talk to people, people who tell you “my son started to read thanks to a book of yours.” It’s super good because you see that your work is useful for many things: to entertain, to do journalistic work, to bring a boy or girl closer to the world of books.
A new book about football, but this time about Messi. Do you think it will reach more Lionel fanatic children?
TO THE: These soccer-themed books, which are designed for kids ages 8 to 12, actually end up being for the whole family. Because the whole family lives the passion of football, especially now that we are the World Champions, that a new Copa América is coming, that in two years there is another World Cup. And Messi has already transcended football: he is a world figure who dazzles on the field but, by learning more about his history, you learn that also, with all his talent, he had to reconvert, he had to learn to live with not winning when he wanted it so much. , to continue fighting for your dreams and finally, achieve them. And it seems to me that his story is interesting for many young people: not to give up and continue pursuing your dreams. Sometimes they don’t happen when you want them or exactly how you want them. But if you are constant and put passion into what you do, your chances increase. In all areas of life.
How did the idea of focusing on Messi come about?
TO THE: In April 2023, with VR Editoras we released “The 2022 World Cup Gold Book” which is now in its third edition. It’s a great success. In July of last year I presented several ideas to continue the “The Golden Book” series. And obviously Messi, there is no need to explain it, is the great figure. But he goes further. He is the great figure of the first four of the 21st century. Look, some very good players from Argentina and the rest of the world have passed through. And he, almost 37 years old, is still valid. And when you put together all of his achievements, records, goals… you say “woah”. He is very impressive when you see it all together and see the dimension of what he has done and what he has achieved.
And the writing process? What was the craziest thing you discovered while writing it?
TO THE: The process is the same as always: think, search, be constant, wanting to surprise the reader with that fact that you didn’t even know. Put all the data that has to be there, but also those that are not so well known. You also have to think that a boy who was born in 2014, is 10 years old and was already Messi with Ballon d’Or, Champions League, records for goals in a season, a world final, an Olympic gold medal, a youth world championship and titles with Barcelona. A 10-year-old boy is going to be surprised and say “before I was born, Messi was Messi.” And I add another thing. That boy, if he stays healthy, in the year 2100 will be able to say “I saw Messi play.” Priceless for many.
News and future projects?
TO THE: To complete the Trilogy of “Golden Books”, “the Golden Book of Argentina Champion” will be released in June for the Copa América. World Cups, Copa América, Olympic Games, Youth World Cups and all the blue and white football glory throughout history. Anecdotes, records, statistics and the great figures who are the protagonists of a unique and endless passion. And the release of a new character related to football is scheduled for October, but in the form of a story that I cannot give more details about, but which is also the idea of it becoming a trilogy. I have a phrase that is “books and football, two passions united.” This it is.
