Futbolista

A classmates-to-friends-to-lovers romance that's equal parts raunchy, heartfelt, queer, and Mexican-American, perfect for fans of The Prospects and Red, White, and Royal Blue! Gabriel Piña knows who he is: a college goalkeeper, a future Liga MX or MLS star, and definitely straight. He’s starting his freshman year with a lot of eyes on him and even more potential, but he’s got this. Nothing will have him straying off the path to greatness. That is, until his philosophy classmate Vale volunteers to tutor him. Vale, the same guy who Gabi, in a moment of history repeating itself, might’ve kissed very briefly—and only once—just to help him out at a party. Vale, the smart, supportive, compassionate new friend with beautiful brown eyes and a smile that keeps Gabi, for completely inexplicable reasons, constantly in a daydream. As a friendship blooms and the two spend more and more time together, Gabi finally begins to recognize something about himself: maybe he’s not as straight as he thought he was. But a larger and darker realization lingers. Someone like Gabi—a brown, Mexican futbolista with dreams of playing for El Tri—can’t also be bisexual. He’s seen the way his teammates and community react to queerness in their sport. It would be the exact type of straying off path that destroys his future. Or, maybe Gabi could be brave enough to embrace all those parts of himself and forge his own path, one that includes a boyfriend and the beautiful game. A sports romance for those who keep rewatching Bend It Like Beckham and rereading Red, White & Royal Blue and the incredible collection of queer soc—football romances out there, Futbolista follows the first semester of one guy's freshman year of college, navigating who he is, who he’s allowed to be, and who he wants to be. P R A I S E ★ “Irresistable… Garza Villa makes Gabi’s coming-out/coming-of-age both moving and inspiring as he finds the courage to buck expectations and live life on his own terms. There’s plenty of heartfelt wisdom—and thrilling soccer matches—along the way, but it’s the sweetly sexy romance between Gabi and Vale that really makes this shine. It’s a winner.” — Publishers Weekly (starred) "A heavy story about the challenges a young Mexican guy (and an athlete, no less) faces in coming out, but also a story bursting with joy and love, endearing family and male friendships and the expected but no less gratifying happy ending. Such a treat of a book, how could you not indulge?” — Jacob Orlando, Porter Square Books “In their first foray into adult fiction, Jonny Garza Villa tells a classmates to friends to lovers romance between college soccer (Futbol) star Gabi and his classmate Vale. If you loved Red White and Royal Blue, this is a great new book for you!” — Cathy Berner, Blue Willow Bookshop