I know it’s football, I call it football. However, for SEO reasons, this will be a “soccer” list. (If you can, go on Google and type “football movies” and see what shows up. Told you.)
As I count down the days for the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil, what better way to wait until June 12th then by watching soccer football movies! From comedies to documentaries, football is known to be more than just a simple sport with 22 men on the field. It’s the passion, the excitement, getting back up whenever your team loses and cheering to the top of your lungs if your team wins.
Ahh, I love you football. This list has a wide variety of football films, hope you find one that you like!
The Goal! Trilogy
Santiago Munez, played by Kuno Becker, is a skilled football player living in Los Angeles with his family, however, they come from a poor background and his chances of ever playing professionally are really slim. Everything changes when he is noticed by a retired Newcastle United player who arranges a tryout for Santiago at the club in England.
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The Goal! trilogy is a must-watch because it has actual cameos of renowned football players, plus, it’s always nice to see someone (fictional or not) to achieve the dream.
ESPN’s 30 for 30 Stories: The Two Escobars
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Andres Escobar was Colombia’s national football team greatest player at the time, and Colombia was a favorite to win the 1994 World Cup in the US. Pablo Escobar, head of the Medellin cartel, was the most powerful drug kingpin in the world. The two were not related, but their fates were inextricably-and fatally-intertwined. This documentary, is a riveting examination of the intersection of sports, crime, and politics.
This film explores different aspects of the game and how it could shape up a country (my country). Pablo Escobar will always remain an enigmatic figure for Colombians, because while he helped the poor with things like soccer fields, he killed ruthlessly whoever crossed him. Andres Escobar was a gentleman on and off the pitch, and represented the dreams and hopes of the country for the ’94 World Cup. I could not ask you anymore to drop everything and watch this.
Bend It Like Beckham
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Jess Bamhra is an 18-year old girl in London who is in love with football. However, her parents forbid her from playing the sport because she is a girl. Everything changes when she joins the local women’s football team and she is on the way to the top of the league. Oh, Keira Knightley is in here too!
Girls can play football too! This movie is a fun watch if you’re down to see girls handle it all fitting in with their families and the football crowd. Told y’all this list had a wide variety!
Rudo y Cursi
Tato “Rudo”, played by Gael Garcia Bernal and Beto “Cursi”, played by Diego Luna, are half-brothers working at a banana plantation in a poor Mexican town.While they both wish to escape their simpler lives, an opportunity arises for Tato to tryout for one of the big teams in Mexico city and become their striker. His brother Beto soon follows him and becomes a goalkeeper for another football team and now have to face each other far away from home and playing for rival teams.
While the movie’s main theme isn’t entirely focused on football, it is also about family, rivalry, the Mexican narco-society and how the fast life can lead someone to the wrong path. Plus, you’ve got the Three Amigos (Alfonso Cuarón, Alejandro González Iñárritu and Guillermo Del Toro) producing it, what’s not to like!
ESPN’s 30 f0r 30: The Myth of Garrincha
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mic8W3wg8uY
A crippled player that was turned down by 3 professional teams because he was declared unfit, won Brazil two World Cups and played alongside Pelé. Called a phenomenon and a legend by Brazilians, but his life was cut short in a car accident.
The man, the myth. Garrincha is by far one of the most beloved legends of Brazilian football, a true depiction of what the beautiful game is all about. He entertained and amazed the crowds, and is above all, an example of a person overcoming obstacles (his bent knees) and being successful. Over the years, his knees needed medical treatment that he refused to get, and as a consequence, the marvelous Garrincha was never the same on the field. His celebrity status affected him to the point that he fell a victim to alcoholism.
Looking For Eric
Eric Bishop, a massive football fan, is going through a life crisis, gets advice from no other than his idol, Eric Cantona.
Football players are so often idolized to the point that in the eyes of their fans they’re more than human. This movie explores the fan-idol relationship as well as the internal struggles that Eric Bishop has to go through.
Fever Pitch
THIS IS NOT THE JIMMY FALLON/DREW BARRYMORE MOVIE OKAY. CARRY ON.
A romantic comedy about the relationship between Paul Ashworth (Colin Firth), his girlfriend Sarah Hughes (Ruth Gemmell), and London’s Arsenal FC.
A fun rom-com about how far a man could go following the love of his life, his team, and his current love, his girlfriend and how both interfere with his life.
Once in a Lifetime: The Extraordinary Story of the New York Cosmos
When the world’s most celebrated soccer star, the Brazilian champion Pele, signed with the N.Y. Cosmos in 1975, the once ignored North American Soccer League became a hit with both fans and the media. The players—including Pele—became the toast of the town, earning their own private table at Studio 54. This documentary looks at the team’s remarkable history and includes interviews with many of the Cosmos’ star players.
If it wasn’t for the ups and downs of the North American Soccer League, the Major League Soccer wouldn’t be where it’s at now. The Cosmos were kind of like the Real Madrid of this side of the world, signing top players like Pelé and Beckenbauer to name a few, that made football popular in the US.
Maradona by Kusturica
A documentary on Argentinean soccer star Diego Maradona, regarded by many as the world’s greatest modern player.
Football legend? Revolutionary? Drug addict? A god? This documentary captures almost every aspect of Maradona’s life, from “The Hand of God” goal against England in the 1986 World Cup in Mexico, to his fans creating a religion in which their god is Maradona, to his ties to leftist governments from Cuba and Venezuela, the question of who is Diego Armando Maradona will always remain.
The Damned United
A look at Brian Clough’s 44-day reign as the coach of Leeds United.
He might have been 44 days only as a coach, but throughout the film, Michael Sheen’s portrayal of Brian Clough is outstanding and totally worth the time.
Honorable mentions:
Green Street Hooligans, Zidane: A 21st Century Portrait, Escape To Victory, and even Shooting For Socrates which will be released this year.
I hope you all enjoyed the list, let me know about your favorite soccer movies and if I missed one (I probably did).
In the meantime, I’m back to my World Cup countdown. See ya!
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