Best Soccer Movies: The Top 10

soccer movies
Credit to Дмитрий Садовников. Edited. License.

Many great films focus on sports, including movies about basketball and football. However, there are also great movies about soccer, as well. Without further ado, read on to learn about the 10 best soccer movies.

Best Soccer Movies: 10. All the Freckles in the World

All the Freckles in the World focuses on Jose Miguel, who has just arrived at a new school in Mexico City. The year is 1994 and the ongoing World Cup captivates almost everyone at the school. Jose doesn’t care about soccer at first, but changes his mind once he learns his crush loves it.

Jose forms a team and organizes a ‘World Cup’ for the school. This film is clever, funny, and dives deep into interesting subjects like family dynamics, friendship, and more. No matter how one feels about soccer, All the Freckles in the World is worth watching.

9. Anelka: Misunderstood

Viewers who love watching soccer for the drama will love this film. Anelka: Misunderstood centers around controversial but talented soccer player Nicolas Anelka. The movie tells his story from his time playing in the park as a child through his entire professional career. Also, it explains why he had such a short temper. Anelka: Misunderstood is a compelling tale of a soccer player who experienced controversy and success in equal measure.

8. Baggio: The Divine Ponytail

Baggio: The Divine Ponytail tells the story of Roberto Baggio, a beloved icon in Italian soccer. Naturally, this film includes plenty of exciting soccer action, such as a scene set at the 1994 World Cup. However, it also delves into the conflicts, injuries, recoveries, relationships, and controversies of his career. This film also explores who Baggio is as a person as well as a player. Baggio: The Divine Ponytail is a fascinating dive into one of soccer’s most beloved players.

Best Soccer Movies: 7. The Beautiful Game

The Beautiful Game is a unique soccer movie that centers around the Homeless World Cup. This tournament is real and includes athletes without homes from across the world. The film focuses on the English team as they prepare for the tournament. However, the coach takes a chance by bringing in a talented striker with a complicated past.

Additionally, this film is well-written, emotionally powerful, and quite entertaining. It tells the story of a part of soccer that many do not know even exists. The Beautiful Game is well worth a watch.

6. The Figo Affair: The Transfer that Changed Football

Luis Figo’s transfer from FC Barcelona to their archrivals Real Madrid is one of the most controversial transfers in soccer history. The Figo Affair: The Transfer that Changed Football tells this compelling story. However, Figo claims that the official story of the transfer is not true. Whatever the case, this film provides a fascinating insight into one of the most impactful transfers in soccer history.

The film includes key players sharing what they know in addition to recordings and footage of phone calls and crucial meetings. The Figo Affair: The Transfer that Changed Football is an excellent film and viewers should watch it.

5. The Hand of God

The Hand of God is another one of the best soccer movies ever. It focuses on Fabietto, a young 16-year-old Italian living in Naples in the 1980s. Diego Maradona’s transfer to Napoli makes him overjoyed. However, there is far more to the film than that and it tells a tale of love, loss, family, fate, and soccer.

Additionally, this film is incredibly well-written, powerful, and even offers some humor, as well. Also, The Hand of God is one of the best soccer movies because it provides a distinctly human perspective on the sport. Viewers should definitely take the time to watch it.

Best Soccer Movies: 4. Holy Goalie

Viewers who want a more comedic look into the world of soccer are sure to enjoy Holy Goalie. This humorous film centers around a young priest, a soccer team of monks, and a monastery that is about to close, Saint Theodosius. However, the priest convinces the monk in charge to allow them to compete for the Champions Cierum title to save the monastery. What follows is an amusing tale of faith, soccer, and friendship. Holy Goalie entertains all viewers, even those who might not be that interested in soccer.

3. Pele

Pele centers around the legendary Brazilian player Pele. This documentary follows his story from his childhood to his retirement in 1977. Pele himself speaks in interviews, as do many others, such as politicians, journalists, family members, trainers, and well-known teammates. These teammates include Mario Zagallo, Rivellino, and Jairzinho.

Additionally, the documentary discusses Brazil’s political unrest and dictatorship in the 1960s. Pele includes archival footage and camera confessionals for added realism. This helps make it one of the best soccer movies. Viewers who have any interest in soccer will enjoy the true tale of one of the sport’s greatest players.

2. The Soccer Football Movie

The Soccer Football Movie is another lighthearted movie about soccer. This animated film follows Swedish superstar Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Women’s World Cup winner Megan Rapinoe, and other soccer stars as they attempt to retrieve their stolen talent from an evil scientist. Additionally, four young soccer superfans must help these soccer icons in their quest. Also, this film includes monsters, Mitch Schauer’s direction, and “Weird Al” Yankovic’s voice. The Soccer Football Movie is plenty of fun for everyone.

1. Ultras

Ultras is a significant departure from the lighthearted fun of the previous film on the list. Instead, this film focuses on the Apaches, a gang of soccer fanatics who live in Naples, Italy, and crave violence. Their leader, Sandro, is now nearly 50 and wants to move on from his previous life. However, after an Apache member dies and Sandro has to care for the member’s teenage brother, everything changes.

Sandro also has to deal with a possible coup in the gang. This film provides a nuanced and compelling look into gang culture, soccer fanaticism, changes of the heart, and power struggles. All this makes it top the list of the best soccer films ever. Ultras is an utterly compelling, gritty, and realistic film that dives deep into the dark side of soccer fandom.

That concludes the list of the 10 best soccer movies.

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