Susie Mesure

The hunt for the next Messi: Godwin, by Joseph O’Neill, reviewed

A video file of an African teenager with legendary ball skills is circulating far from his homeland – wherever that is. How hard can it be to track him down?

Boys playing football in Dakar, Senegal. [Getty Images] 
issue 27 July 2024

Those who remember Joseph O’Neill’s brilliant novel Netherland, which featured a multicultural cricket club and was set in post 9/11 Manhattan, will assume they know what they’re getting with Godwin, which purports to be about the hunt for the next Messi.

A video file of an African teenager with legendary ball skills is circulating far from his homeland, wherever that may be.

GIF Image

Disagree with half of it, enjoy reading all of it

TRY A MONTH FREE
Our magazine articles are for subscribers only. Try a month of Britain’s best writing, absolutely free.

Comments

Join the debate, free for a month

Be part of the conversation with other Spectator readers by getting your first month free.

Already a subscriber? Log in