The Beautiful Dream, Atiba Hutchinson
The Beautiful Dream, Atiba Hutchinson
List: $26.00 | Sale: $18.20
Club: $13.00

The Beautiful Dream
A Memoir

Author: Atiba Hutchinson, Dan Robson

Narrator: Odario Williams

Unabridged: 9 hr 50 min

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Publisher: Viking

Published: 09/24/2024


Synopsis

NATIONAL BESTSELLER

“A captivating read from one of our country’s greatest athletes.”
―Christine Sinclair, former captain of the Canadian Women's National Soccer Team and National Bestselling Author of Playing the Long Game

Out of the Toronto suburb of Brampton comes an irresistible story of trials, perseverance, the limelight of international soccer, and—above all—heart.

Despite debuting on Canada’s senior national soccer team 20 years ago, scarce is known of Atiba Hutchinson. We’ve watched him win Canadian Men’s Player of the Year six times; celebrated his club team championships; and mourned his injuries. We’ve lamented the state of Canadian soccer and cursed the lost potential—and years. Yet, we know little about Atiba’s personal life, or how he rose from suburban Brampton to becoming Canada’s most-capped national men’s team player, often described as the country’s greatest athlete you haven’t heard about.

For the first time, Atiba is ready to share the extraordinary story of his ascent to the heights of professional soccer, nationally and internationally, and what he believes makes a true champion. The Beautiful Dream is an intimate account of Atiba’s awe-inspiring career, from his humble beginnings to playing across Europe; the crushing disappointment of failing national team competitions in the 2010s that nearly led to his resignation from the national program; all the way to his triumphant arrival in Qatar to face off against 31 other nations at the world’s most pre-eminent soccer competition. He has strived to better not only his own game but the landscape of Canadian soccer for over two decades, culminating in Canada’s first trip to the FIFA World Cup since 1986. Yet, as the reflective midfielder shows, this isn’t just his story: The Beautiful Dream is the story of countless Canadians, who strive and scrape for a seemingly unreachable dream—until their fingertips finally graze the surface. It’s a lesson about the unyielding belief required when taking the long road to success. Atiba's journey mirrors the progression of Canadian soccer, and the story of Canada itself: goals that may begin as outsized but as we work towards them, our world changes with us. 

Atiba’s journey of hope, belief, and resilience connects the country’s modest soccer past to a bold, exciting future in the game. It’s a story that transcends the pitch, exploring what it means to be a kid who dares to dream of achieving the impossible, and the man who perseveres to get there.  

About The Author

ATIBA HUTCHINSON, recently retired captain of the Canadian men’s national soccer team, is the most accomplished male soccer player that Canada has ever produced. He has been named the top male Canadian Soccer Player of the Year six times, and represented the Canadian men’s national team in more international matches than any other player in history.DAN ROBSON is a senior enterprise writer for The Athletic. He is the author of the national bestseller Quinn: The Life of a Hockey Legend, Bower: A Legendary Life, and Measuring Up: A Memoir of Fathers and Sons. He co-authored number 1 national bestsellers Crossroads with Kaleb Dahlgren and Killer with Doug Gilmouras well as The Crazy Game with Clint Malarchuk, Change Up with Buck Martinez, and Ignite with Andre De Grasse.


Reviews

Goodreads review by Brendan on January 12, 2025

I like memoirs of people whose lives are so different from my own. Growing up in an immigrant community in the gta, and working hard for success and then moving to Europe, repping Canada on a world stage and retiring before 40 is something that I can’t relate to, but enjoy reading about the life of......more

Goodreads review by Becky on August 29, 2024

What an amazing read and insight into a Canadian Men’s Soccer and fabulous Canadian soccer player. I could not put this book down. A definite read for soccer fans from any nation.......more

Goodreads review by Ozan on October 13, 2024

As a Besiktas fan, I don’t even remember how and when we signed Atiba - a relatively lower profile player than what Turkish team seeks to sign but he has left a legend!!! I for sure remember all the victories and sad events he mentions in the book and not only Besiktas fans but all Turkish soccer fa......more

Goodreads review by Mike on December 30, 2024

Even I couldn’t go with a 4 star for this one. There is nothing wrong with it. I enjoyed it enough because I am sports crazy. It goes through his career which meant he reminisced about important games, league championships, disappointments with Canadian soccer results and finally being a part of the......more

Goodreads review by Riccardo on January 18, 2025

This story is very near and dear to me. Excellent.......more


Quotes

NATIONAL BESTSELLER

One of The Globe and Mail’s “62 new titles to read this season”

The Beautiful Dream is an extraordinary story that will inspire and challenge you to chase your goals. Atiba’s leadership helped change the course of men’s soccer in Canada. His memoir is a captivating read from one of our country’s greatest athletes.”
―Christine Sinclair, former captain of the Canadian Women's National Soccer Team and National Bestselling Author of Playing the Long Game

“Atiba is more than a footballer, he’s a leader of men and a great Canadian. It was a real privilege to be part of his dream of bringing Canada back to the World Cup.”
―John Herdman, former Head Coach of the Canadian Men's National Soccer Team

“Atiba Hutchinson is one of Canada’s greatest athletes. His unique story is full of perseverance, passion, and prestigious performances for club and country. Atiba lived a beautiful dream and the result is an inspiring read.”
―Kristian Jack, Canadian Soccer Broadcaster

“[A]n entertaining, refreshingly honest memoir.”
The Canadian Press