7 Football movies you need to watch

• There are several football movies and television shows that every fan should watch
• While some are based on true stories others are fictional
• “Pele: Birth of a Legend” is one of the greatest movies about football ever produced

Discover the best football movies to watch this weekend with family and friends! To start with, football is one of the most loved sports in the world. Apart from bringing people together and being a source of entertainment to many, the sport has changed a lot of lives.

From Diego Maradona to Cristiano Ronaldo and even our own African stars such as Sadio Mane and Samuel Eto’o, there are several footballers whose lives changed for the better because of football.

And because of such inspiring stories, there are several football movies which are worth watching. Below are some:

1. Bend It Like Beckham

Bend It Like Beckham. Photo/ Film At Lincoln Center.

Bend It Like Beckham was theatrically released first in the United Kingdom on 12 April 2002. The movie revolves around a girl who is passionate about football and explores themes such as sexuality, tradition and gender stereotypes.

Even though the title of the movie has the name of football icon David Beckham, it has little to do with him except for acknowledging his professionalism. It is one of the best football movies ever released.

2. Shaolin Soccer

In the movie Shaolin Soccer, a Shaolin Monk reunites his five brothers years after their master’s death so they can apply their superhuman martial arts skills to play soccer. They form a soccer team and use the game to make the Shaolin Kung Fu popular.

3. Pele: Birth Of A Legend

Pele: Birth of a Legend. Photo/ Prime Video: Pele: Birth of a Legend.

One of the greatest football talents the world has ever seen, Pele was too good that they made a film about his life. The film “Pele: Birth of a Legend” is about the early life of Brazilian footballer and his journey with Brazil to win the 1958 FIFA World Cup triumph.

At the beginning, Pele is seen struggling to meet his family’s needs by doing menial jobs in a poor neighbourhood in Brazil and at the same time nurturing his football skills. He then rises to stardom and helps Brazil triumph at the 1958 World Cup. The film was directed and written by Jeff Zimbalist and Michael Zimbalist.

4. The Damned United

A 2009 sports drama film directed by Tom Hooper, The Damned United tells the story of Brian Clough’s 44 day stint as manager of Leeds United Football Club taking place in 1974 England. In the movie, Brian is determined to outdo his predecessor but fails to make good decisions for the team and ends up paying the price. His short office time is used to reveal soccer politics and its unpopular working ethics.

The Damned United. Photo/ Leeds Live.

5. Offside

Since it’s release in 2006 Offside still stands as one of the best football movies till date. The movie revolves around gender discrimination and football, and is about a group of girls who try to watch a World Cup qualifying match but are forbidden by law because of their gender.

The movie was was inspired by the director’s daughter and despite being shot in Iran, its screening has been banned there.

6. The Football Factory 

A British sports drama film written by AJ Lovell and directed by Nick Love, The Football Factory documents the life of Tommy Johnson and his hooliganism towards soccer despite being a member of the Chelsea Firm. Tommy doesn’t embrace good conduct and his careless lifestyle costs him his loved ones at the end of the film. It ends when Tommy changes and decides to focus on what he loves most, his soccer career.

7.  Green Street

Also known as Green Street Hooligans, Green Street is one of the best football moves ever produced. Just like The Football Factory, Green Street is about football hooliganism in the United Kingdom based on fans.

The film starring Matt Buckner is undeserving suspended from Harvard University, forcing him to move in with his sister and her husband in England. He later gets into soccer and learns about the soccer hooliganism culture. He explores himself and discovers new limits he never thought he would reach.