What to watch. 10 iconic soccer movies

“Championship” compiled a list of motion pictures that will tell you about the non-fictional stories of the near-football community, as well as the life stories of famous footballers and clubs.

“Green Street Hooligans”.

In a nutshell: a movie about real soccer hooligans.

In the UK, there are quite a few pictures about soccer fans, or rather hooligans (for example, “Football Factory”). However, this picture became the best among them and is loved by the audience even 13 years after its release. The movie “Green Street Hooligans” tells about an American Matthew Buckner, who had to quit his studies in America and move to London to his sister. It is in London that Matt learns from the inside the world of English soccer hooligans and penetrates their philosophy.

Watch the video on the official YouTube channel.

“Cass.”

In a nutshell: based on a true life story.

Another picture about soccer hooligans, or rather about one of them. The movie tells the life story of a real person – Carol “Cass” Pennant. Cass was an orphan until he was adopted by a well-to-do family in England. Pennant began cheering for English soccer club West Ham United, and in the 1970s, Cass organized a soccer group called the Inter City Firm of West Ham United.

Watch the video on the official YouTube channel.

Pennant became the first soccer hooligan to serve three years in prison for rioting. The movie “Cass” is based on the autobiography of Cass Pennant himself, who wrote it while in prison. Now almost 60 years old, Pennant continues to write and act in movies and television.

“Goal” / “Goal 2”

In a nutshell: a movie about ordinary guys who love soccer.

It is the first two parts of the trilogy “Goal” are remembered by the viewer most of all. In the first part of the picture the main character Santiago Munies tries to fulfill his dream and fights for a chance to play in the English club “Newcastle United”. In the second part of the movie Santiago moves to a new club – Real Madrid. After moving to “Real” the life of the footballer changes dramatically. Santiago begins to have new interests, which have nothing to do with soccer…

Watch the video on the official channel on YouTube.

“In Search of Eric”

Eric Cantona is a legendary soccer player of the French national team and Manchester United soccer club. His game delighted all the fans of the team, they even gave him the nickname “King Eric”. However, this movie is not about the famous footballer of the “red devils”. This picture is about an ordinary mailman Eric Bishop. Eric is one of the many fans who admired the game of the legendary Canton. Bishop is going through some tough times, however, everything changes when the mailman is visited by “King Eric” himself.

Watch the video on the official YouTube channel.

“Boneslayer”.

Perhaps this picture can be added to the list of movies about soccer hooligans. Vini Jones, a former professional soccer player, is known to soccer fans for his tough character. The movie “Kostolomom” – one of the first works of Vinnie as an actor. In the film, Jones plays the role of former soccer player Danny Meehan, who gets into prison. “Kostolom” – an unusual story about a criminal who managed to make a soccer team in prison and play against prison guards.

Watch the video on the official YouTube channel.

“Pele: Birth of a Legend”

Important to know: based on real events.

The picture “Pele: Birth of a Legend” was released in 2016, but already now it can be called one of the best in the genre of “near-football” movies. The movie tells about growing up and life of one of the greatest and most famous Brazilian soccer players – Edson Arantis do Nascimento or simply Pele.

This movie is not only about the life journey of Pele. This picture is about the people of Brazil who needed a miracle. About parents who believed in the talent of their son and, of course, about a simple Brazilian boy who loved soccer with all his heart.

Watch the video on the official YouTube channel.

“United: The Munich Tragedy.”

Important to know: based on true events.

On February 6, 1958, the players and coaching staff of English soccer club Manchester United, as well as several journalists who were on the plane, were involved in a plane crash. As a result of the tragedy, almost all players of the club’s main squad were killed and seriously injured, and only a few were able to continue playing afterward.

Watch the video on the official YouTube channel.

Red Devils head coach Sir Matt Busby and his assistant Jimmy Murphy were able to make sure the team was able to win again.

“Cursed United.”

Important to know: based on real events.

The picture tells about one of the most famous soccer coaches of Great Britain Brian Clough. After finishing his career as a professional footballer, Clough decides to start a coaching career and becomes the coach of the English club Derby County. To the surprise of many, the novice coach together with his team wins the English championship. However, Brian leaves the post of head coach of “Derby County”. After that, he begins to coach Leeds United, which at the time was the leader of the English Championship….

Watch the video on the official YouTube channel.

“Killing Football”

Features of the genre: near-football comedy.

What will happen if you mix two opposite sports – kung-fu and soccer? You will find out the answer to this question in the comedy “Killing Football”. The story of “kung-fu master” Shin, who by chance decides to assemble a soccer team and play in the championship of Hong Kong is loved by many soccer fans and, it should be noted, not only them.

Watch the video on the official YouTube channel.

“Play like Beckham”

Features of the genre: near-football comedy.

David Beckham is the idol of millions and including the main character of the movie Jessica. Jess is an Indian girl whose family moved to London. Since childhood she dreams of only one thing – to play soccer at a professional level, like her idol. However, the parents of the heroine are categorically against it, they see their daughter as a lawyer, but not a soccer player. Once at the training Jess gets acquainted with Jules and the dream of the heroine slowly begins to come true.

Watch the video on the official YouTube channel.