13 Best Soccer Movies to Watch as a Player or Fan of the Game
What are the best soccer movies? Soccer is the world’s most popular sport, and many soccer movies have been made throughout the years to share stories of the beautiful game. Watching a soccer movie can be a great way for any player, beginner, youth, or professional, soccer coach, or fan to learn tips and insights into the realities of the game while being inspired and entertained at the same time.
This is a list of the best soccer movies to watch right now across different streaming platforms.
What are the best soccer movies to watch right now?
Gol! The Dream Begins (2005)
Gol! The Dream Begins is considered by many fans, especially soccer fans, to be one of the greatest sports films ever made. The film tells the story of young Mexican Santiago Muñez’s inspiring journey from amateur leagues in Los Angeles and bussing tables to achieving his football dreams with Newcastle United in the English Premier League.
If you have not watched a soccer movie before, this is the first movie you should watch to learn why people fall in love with this sport. The film also has two sequels: one in which he plays for Real Madrid and one in which he represents the Mexican National Team, but neither is even close to the original.
Diego Maradona (2019)
Asif Kapadia’s documentary offers a deep exploration into the life of one of the best players of all time, Diego Maradona. This great documentary is inspired by true events and provides never-before-seen footage of the global icon who has scored two of the most legendary goals of all time, the Hand of God and the Goal of the Century.
Pele: Birth of A Legend (2016)
“Pele ” on Netflix is a celebration of another one of the game’s most legendary players. This film follows the life of Brazilian icon Pelé and dives into his challenging childhood and rise to the top of world football. Through a mix of never-before-seen footage and interviews, the film offers a captivating account of Pele’s impact on the world of football.
Zinedine Zidane- A 21st Century Portrait (2006)
“Zinedine Zidane: A 21st Century Portrait” (2006) draws inspiration from a 1970 German experimental film that focuses solely on George Best throughout the game. Directors Douglas Gordon and Philippe Pareno recreated the concept with French maestro Zinedine Zidane, immersing audiences in a claustrophobic experience heightened by the sounds of Scottish band Mogwai. This is one of the most unique films on this list.
Shaolin Soccer (2001)
Stephen Chow’s comedic masterpiece “Shaolin Soccer,” available on Hulu, fuses martial arts with the beautiful game. The film delivers visually spectacular, highly entertaining sports-action scenes, showcasing Chow’s unique storytelling and cinematic creativity.
The Two Escobars (2010)
ESPN’s documentary, “The Two Escobars,” shares the interesting mixed stories of footballer Andrés Escobar and drug lord Pablo Escobar. Through captivating narratives and insightful interviews, the film reveals the connections between football, crime, and societal pressures in certain parts of the world.
Next Goal Wins (2014)
Available on Hulu, “Next Goal Wins” is a heartwarming documentary following the American Samoa football team’s journey of redemption. The film follows the American Samoa national team after one of the highest scoring games in history, a 31-0 loss to Australia.
Sir Alex Ferguson: Never Give in (2021)
The Sir Alex Ferguson documentary, streaming on Amazon Prime Video, offers a deep dive into his illustrious career and personal challenges. With rare insights and moments, the film offers fans, players, and coaches a closer look at the man behind Manchester United’s success.
The Damned United (2009)
“The Damned United ” is an exciting fictional sports drama about Brian Clough’s time as Leeds United’s manager. The film explores the themes of rivalry and ambition and offers an up-close look at high-level football management.
Although the film is inspired by true events, the book that inspired this film is mostly fiction. This movie offers a more realistic portrayal of what being a manager is really like, especially compared to the recent comedy soccer manager show “Ted Lasso.”
Bend it Like Beckham (2002)
Gurinder Chadha’s film “Bend it Like Beckham” is a comedy-drama about bending the rules to make your dreams come true and explores some of the realities of women’s soccer. The film follows two girls who want to make professional soccer their careers and explores themes of tradition, family, and the pursuit of dreams.
Offside (2006)
Jafar Panahi’s Iranian film “Offside,” available on the Criterion Channel, cleverly explores gender barriers in football during World Cup qualifiers. With insightful storytelling and social commentary, the film offers a thought-provoking perspective on societal norms and the love for the game
Green Street Hooligans (2005)
“Green Street Hooligans,” starring Elijah Wood and Charlie Hunnam, is a British drama that explores the world of football hooliganism. After being unfairly expelled from Harvard, Wood heads to the UK, where he stumbles upon the intense fan culture and violent clashes associated with the beautiful game.
This film not only explores the darker side of football but also delivers a gritty crime drama, offering a captivating look into the world of soccer fans, often violent.
The Extraordinary Story of the New York Cosmos (2006)
“The Extraordinary Story of the New York Cosmos” is about a pivotal era when soccer briefly seized America’s spotlight. This documentary explores the rise and fall of the North American Soccer League franchise, the New York Cosmos, during the 1970s.
The film uses archival footage, vintage photographs, and personal anecdotes from former players and businessmen to follow a team led by Brazilian soccer legend Pelé. Founded by non-sports enthusiasts, the Cosmos experienced a meteoric rise only to be derailed by the league’s ambitious expansion.
Summary
To summarize, watching soccer movies is not as fun as playing soccer, but it can be a great way for any soccer player to learn more about the game while having fun and being entertained. In this blog, I covered the best soccer movies to watch right now available on different streaming services.
Frequently Asked Questions
What soccer players have their own sports films?
There are many famous soccer players who have their own films and/or documentaries, such as Diego Maradona, Pelé, Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, Zinedine Zidane, David Beckham, Bobby Moore, Eric Cantona, and many more.
How can I learn more about the game?
To learn more about soccer, the most important thing is to join a team and play the game as much as possible. If possible, analyze high-level games as much as you can and your own games as well by recording them with a soccer camera. Also read soccer books, listen to podcasts and interviews, watch soccer documentaries, as well as some movies, TV shows, and anime.
What soccer team does famous movie actor Ryan Reynolds own?
Ryan Reynolds is the current owner of Wrexham AFC, a professional soccer team from Wales. You can learn more about Ryan and his team by watching their documentary.
What is EMF protection?
EMF protection includes products like blue-light-blocking glasses, which are useful to wear at night while using electronics after sunset, as well as many other products that help improve mitochondrial function, which in turn improve overall athletic performance, sleep, recovery, and more.
