Soccer, or football depending on which side of the pond you are, is one of the most popular sports of all time. The game has evolved over the years and only seems to get more and more exciting. From the English Premier League to the World Cup, the African Cup of Nations to the MLS, soccer just never seems to stop! We can’t pretend we’re not happy about that. Obviously this goes further than just solely the game itself, it leads to merchandise, media attention among other things, like movies! There have been some great soccer movies in our time, some are famous and have even inspired footballers to make it in the game! Continue reading to discover some of the best soccer films of all time.
The Greatest Soccer Movies Of All Time
Goal! (2005)
Santiago Munez truly stole our hearts in this rags to riches story, and only inspired many to love the beautiful game. The story follows our hero, Santiago, a talented non-documented Mexican living in the U.S. Here he is scouted by a former scout who happens to be on vacation. Due to a fortunate series of events involving luck, grit and determination; he manages to secure himself a trial at Premier League side Newcastle United. This is only the beginning however. A whirlwind of relationships, back and forth of progress and some personal stress, the film is quite frankly amazing. Many current Newcastle United players were actually inspired to join the club after watching the film! Perhaps the influence of some former legends, like Alan Shearer, may have played a part too. The club is historic, and Santi’s journey is something that truly resonates within many people. If you’re wanting to watch a soccer movie, definitely start with this.
Goal II: Living the Dream (2007)
Thankfully we didn’t have to wait too long to see the continuation of Santi’s story, as he rises to even greater heights. Having monitored his success at Newcastle United, Santi has caught the attention of the big boys at Spanish giant, Real Madrid. We were sad to see Santi’s Newcastle story end, but the prospect of seeing how he would fare against other world-class players is something to dream of! The film even features cameos from some Madrid legends who were at the club at the time, like a certain David Beckham, Raul and Guti! Needless to say the struggles of being at debatably one of the best clubs in the world gets to Santi as he bids to make it. There is also a development regarding his family situation, and it steals our hearts as we see how Santi stands tall in attempt to reunite his family. This film is on the same level as the first, for sure.
Green Street (2007)
Is this a conventional soccer film? Not quite, but it definitely counts. You could argue that the film focuses more on the fan-bases than the game itself, but without soccer the film wouldn’t exist! The film focuses on football hooliganism in the United Kingdom. Though this has certainly decreased over the years, for a time it was a big problem in England. The story follows Elijah Wood who finds himself very much involved with the West Ham United football firm! Under the guidance of friend and firm leader, Pete Dunham, he becomes one of the big boys at the firm, despite hiding his massive secret- he is a journalist! An entertaining film for sure, if you love football and are ok with some pretty heavy violence, this film might be for you. Not for the kids though.
Ted Lasso (2020)
Okay this isn’t a film, but we truly believe it deserves a special mention. The series has just completed its second season and currently boasts an 8.8 rating on IMDB as well as a 95% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes. Furthermore, the series has been nominated for numerous awards and was recently the recipient of 7 Emmy awards! Featuring star Jason Sudeikis as coach Ted Lasso, a number of not so well known actors really find their own here in a heartfelt, beautiful series that will truly pull at your heart strings. Ted Lasso is a breath of fresh air when it comes to football television, and can be enjoyed by the whole family. It can even be debated whether the football aspect matters so much. We believe it would be just as effective if it were any sport. A must-watch.
