Beyond the Final Whistle

“A profound reminder that soccer is far more than a sport; it’s a canvas for building a fairer and more compassionate world” Kelly Davies, former Wales international soccer player

“A delightful exploration of soccer, capitalism, and the possibility of making a meaningful life with others” Yochai Benkler, author of The Wealth of Networks and Professor at Harvard Law School

Beyond the Final Whistle explores a new philosophy of soccer, showing how sport could lead to social change instead of propping up a hyper-consumerist society.

Vasilis Kostakis tackles the meaning of the beautiful game, exploring how it is produced and played. From the dribbles of a young Zapatista to Messi’s many goals, he imagines what soccer would look like in a post-capitalist world.

How does soccer affect global inequality and the climate crisis? How does it teach our children empathy? What makes the game so captivating to billions of people, and how can this passion be used for liberation? With humor and insight, Beyond the Final Whistle is a love letter to soccer and revolution.

Vasilis Kostakis is a Professor at TalTech’s Ragnar Nurkse Department of Innovation and Governance in Estonia. He is also a Faculty Associate at Harvard University’s Berkman Klein Center for Internet and Society.