There have been some great soccer movies throughout history and depending on your age you may have grown up watching Michael Caine, Sylvester Stallone, and Pele in Victory (1981), or the fantastically funny Mike Bassett England Manager (2001).
Sure, in between those, there have been some pretty awful soccer-related movies especially if you like a bit more action and not just a teen romcom loosely based on football such as Bend it Like Beckham or She’s the Man.
Recently, the quality has got a lot better. From Mean Machine to Green Street Hooligans, and to The Football Factory, there are some great titles for fans of the beautiful game. However, if we had to pick three of the best most recent soccer movies, it would have to be the following.
The Damned United (2009)
Brian Clough is renowned almost as much for his hilarious and sometimes controversial quotes as he is for his soccer genius. A good player in his day scoring 251 goals in 274 appearances, Clough became an even better manager and for many experts is regarded as the greatest of all time.
The Damned United actually looks at his most struggling era as manager. After winning the top division with Derby County, Clough had already established himself as one of England’s best managers at that time. However, taking control of Leeds, then the best club in the country, culminated in his sacking just 44 days later.
His sacking came amid plenty of controversy at Elland Road. As the movie reveals, infighting with key players such as Johnny Giles, Norman Hunter, and Billy Bremner and constant bickering with former manager Don Revie led to his downfall.
Championship Betting Tips & Odds
If you were to pick a league to base a football movie on, the Championship would be right up there. Considered the most competitive division in England and the toughest to earn promotion from, You can see by looking at the Championship betting tips and betting odds displayed at various sites, that the league is wide open right now. However, with previews, predictions and odds, plus betting tips for the next 10 games as well as outright odds and predictions for playoffs of promotion, you could hit a lucrative pay off.
Right now, any team in the top half of the table still has a chance of breaking into the top six. Brentford, Swansea, Norwich, and Watford look the best bets right now and Ivan Toney as the league’s top goalscorer has to be nailed on by now.
Pele: Birth of a Legend (2016)
Today, arguments reign about who is the better player, Lionel Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo. Well, fifty years ago, the same was argued about Pele and Maradona. Nowadays a new argument has emerged arguing who is the best of all four of them! Without getting into all that and declaring an opinion, it is best to admire all the great players that have graced a soccer pitch.
In Pele, we get a critically received biographical drama that depicts the rise of a young kid from the slums of Sao Paulo who bursts into superstardom having led Brazil to World Cup victory at the tender age of 17. A fantastic watch whether you grew up admiring this wonderful talent or wanted to get the lowdown on one of the greatest players of all time.
The Game of Their Lives (2005)
It is not often that the USA is classified as a minnow in any sport but in 1950, the US national team was classed exactly that in the 1950 Soccer World Cup. Known for playing and excelling at other sports such as Basketball, Baseball, and Football, soccer in the US was and still is, just a passing thought.
In The Game of Their Lives, the US national team had achieved a rare qualification for the sports major international tournament. Expected by many to be embarrassed against the sport’s elites, the US actually managed a dramatic win against the then best team in the world, England.
Intrigued by the suggestions above? Think other movies deserved a spot on the list? Well, check these out first as each offers up a great watch!
