Guillem Ramón Antonio Balagué

Guillem Balagué is a Spanish football journalist, author, and broadcaster best known for his authorized biographies of Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo. He spent more than two decades as a leading voice on Sky Sports’ Spanish football coverage before moving to BBC Radio 5 Live, CBS Sports, and LaLiga TV. He also serves as chairman of English club Biggleswade United, a role he has held since 2014.

Overview

Guillem Ramón Antonio Balagué's Profile

Guillem Balagué was born in Barcelona, Spain, on November 2, 1968. He earned a journalism degree from the Autonomous University of Barcelona in 1991 before relocating to England. In 1996, he became the English football correspondent for the Spanish magazine Don Balón. Then, in 1997, Sky Sports hired him as the insider for a new La Liga highlight show.

That show became Revista de la Liga, Sky Sports’ flagship Spanish football program. Balagué spent two decades as one of its key voices, covering transfers and major La Liga storylines. During that time, he authored several football biographies, including A Season on the Brink and the first biography of Pep Guardiola. His Messi biography followed in 2013, and his 2015 book on Cristiano Ronaldo won the Football Book of the Year Award.

After Sky Sports lost its La Liga rights, Balagué moved to BBC Radio 5 Live. He has also worked for CBS Sports on its Champions League coverage, and for ITV. When CBS Sports Golazo Network launched in 2023, Balagué joined as a contributor to Morning Footy and Box 2 Box. He also remains chairman of English non-league club Biggleswade United, a role he has held since 2018.

Quick Facts

2
TV Shows

0
Current Hosts

20
Years Active

50
Awards Won

TV Shows​

A list of television shows hosted by this host, including current programs and previous presenting roles.

Networks

A list of Networks that this host has worked for.

Personal Life

Family, relationships and background

      Education

      Educational background and qualifications

      • Journalism degree from Autonomous University of Barcelona (1991)

      Net Worth & Income

      Income sources, net worth, and properties.

      • Broadcasting fees from CBS Sports, BBC Radio 5 Live, LaLiga TV, and ITV
      • Royalties from multiple bestselling football biographies (Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, Pep Guardiola)
      • Two decades of Sky Sports contributor income (1997–early 2020s)
      • Newspaper/column fees from AS, The Times, The Observer, and Metro

      Awards

      Awards & recognition

      • Football Book of the Year Award — British Sports Book Awards, for Cristiano Ronaldo: the Biography (2015)
      • Best Football Book of the Year — Poland (2016)