The football documentary is an all-time favourite of everyone. The off-season is full of gossip about transfers and no football to watch but this does not mean one should have to wait until the new season. There is always football to watch, but not live i.e. football documentaries.
Let’s explore the list of Top 10 Football Documentaries in 2024:
If one is bored of doing the endless reading about clubs around the world. Here are the top 10 football documentaries:-
1. Sunderland ‘Til I Die (2018)
Sunderland AFC is not a Premier League club now but the documentary is a must-watch. It is filmed in the club’s 2018-19 season. The football documentary was meant to follow their rise from the Championship to the top flight. This movie shows us, everyone, jumping ship, instead of seeing everyone together to put the club back in the limelight.
2. All or Nothing: Arsenal (2022)
All or Nothing is an Arsenal documentary same as the Manchester City and Tottenham Hotspur iterations of the series. This documentary will also give the audiences an inside picture of the north London club as cameras will be allowed inside Emirates Stadium as promises have been made to the fans that it will show how the club operates as they undergo a new season. Along with it, it will also present in front of us the interviews and insight from players and staff.
3. Football’s Most Dangerous Rivalry (2012)
Rangers and Celtic are not the biggest football clubs at this point, but previously when they face each other, the world used to wait and watch. This rivalry is the most-anticipated rivalry in football in previous days. The football documentary shows us the political, religious and national identity clashes that have shaped this rivalry. They also speak to fanatics on both sides of the divide and travel with the Bhoys’ away support to a match at Tannadice.
4. Inside Borussia Dortmund (2019)
Inside Borussia Dortmund is a four-part documentary series. This series shows us the inside of Borussia Dortmund, the title itself justifies the show, it will take back at the 2018-19 season. Unlike many other documentaries, this series isn’t just about one season though. It also showcases the history of the club and a lot more. It also shows us many interviews of current as well as past people.
5. Maradona: Blessed Dream (2021)
Maradona: Blessed Dream is a series that shows us Maradona’s life, triumphs, embarrassments (like drug abuse), controversies (like assault allegations by his girlfriend and of course the infamous hand of God) that have been extensively documented in books and the press.
The series also shows us dramatic fashion, with a 40-year-old Maradona who was on a beach was overweight and out of breath, taken to hospital after overdosing on cocaine. His business manager tried to hide the event from the world’s media.
6. The Class of ’92 (2013)
The Class of ’92 is a football documentary, which showcases the six famous graduates of the 1992 Manchester United youth team. It shows us how they secured ranks in an unprecedented treble in 1999. It is actually a warm and insightful study of the excellence of six Red Devils, namely – David Beckham, Nicky Butt, Ryan Giggs, Gary Neville, Phil Neville, and Paul Scholes.
It’s an absorbing documentary about a football fairy tale, and it engages any football fan, not just the ones of Manchester United. Each player has his own section, with stories and quirks that you may not know.
7. I Believe In Miracles (2015)
I Believe In Miracles is a timeless documentary, this series shows us is a full of The show is full of anecdotes and is told by Forest Greats such as Viv Anderson, Martin O’Neill and Ian Bowyer. It’s all about glory and miracles, and by the end, it will almost make you long for the 1970s. It pays tribute to legendary football manager Brian Clough and his achievements with the club.
8. Next Goal Wins (2014)
Next Goal Wins is an underdog football documentary that will warm everyone’s hearts. This show is all about the American Samoa football team which has been considered the world’s worst international team. The movie is set during the early qualifying rounds for the 2014 FIFA World Cup when the team hadn’t won in 17 years, during which they had conceded 229 goals and scored only two. The movie gives us a meaningful conclusion that life is not all about winning trophies and winning popularity contests.
9. Becoming Zlatan (2015)
Becoming Zlatan is a show that shows us the life of Zlatan Ibrahimovic. It shows us his early days in Malmo. His big money move to Ajax and then to Juventus, where his fame and fortune took flight. It focuses predominantly on a few key seasons in Malmo and Amsterdam and gives us an insight into who Ibrahimovic was and what he has become.
10. Hillsborough (2016)
Hillsborough is a documentary that shows us the Hillsborough disaster. It is not a pleasant watch if one wants to watch it for relaxation. Although it is an important show for all the fans, we can understand what Liverpool supporters went through during the 1989 Hillsborough disaster. The police made mistakes that saw 96 football fans never return home, and what followed was a smear campaign that for decades wrongly blamed the victims who lost their lives.
FAQs
What are some of the most popular football documentaries?
There are many great ones out there, but some of the most popular and acclaimed include:
Sunderland ‘Til I Die (2018): This Netflix docu-series offers a fly-on-the-wall look at Sunderland AFC, a struggling English club, during a tumultuous season in League
Sunderland ‘Til I Die (2018) football documentary
All or Nothing: Arsenal (2018 – Present): This Amazon Prime series offers an inside look at the 2021/22 season for Arsenal, following the team through triumphs and tribulations.
All or Nothing: Arsenal (2018 Present) football documentary
Diego Maradona (2019): This HBO documentary chronicles the legendary life and career of the Argentine superstar, Diego Maradona, both on and off the pitch.
Diego Maradona (2019) football documentary
The Class of ’92 (2013): This documentary tells the story of the six Manchester United academy graduates who went on to win the treble (Premier League, FA Cup, Champions League) in 1999, including David Beckham, Ryan Giggs, Paul Scholes, and Gary Neville.
Class of ’92 (2013) football documentary
Make Us Dream (2020): This Netflix documentary chronicles the rise of the Leicester City team that defied all odds to win the Premier League title in the 2015/16 season.
Are there documentaries that focus on specific players?
Absolutely! Several documentaries delve into the lives and careers of individual footballers, including:
Messi (2014): This documentary explores the life and career of Lionel Messi, one of the greatest footballers of all time.
Take Us Home: Leeds United (2021): This Amazon Prime documentary follows Leeds United on their journey back to the Premier League after a 16-year absence, focusing heavily on the passionate fanbase and club legend Marcelo Bielsa.
Stiker Turned Poacher (2020): This documentary chronicles the career of the legendary German striker, Gerd Muller.
Bobby Robson: More Than a Manager (2018): This documentary tells the story of the respected English manager Bobby Robson, who led teams like England, Barcelona, and Newcastle United.
Are there documentaries about historical moments in football?
Yes, there are documentaries that explore watershed moments in the beautiful game, such as:
One Night in Turin (2019): This documentary looks back at the dramatic 1999 Champions League final between Manchester United and Bayern Munich.
One Night in Turin (2019) football documentary
The Damned Utd (2009): This British docudrama tells the story of Brian Clough’s ill-fated 44-day spell as manager of Leeds United in 1974.
Damned Utd (2009) football documentary
Sommermärchen (2006): This German documentary looks back at the 2006 World Cup hosted by Germany.
Where can I watch these football documentaries?
Many of these documentaries are available on streaming platforms like Netflix, Amazon Prime, and HBO Max. You can also find some documentaries on YouTube or through digital purchase/rental services.
There is no specific training required for Ullu actresses. Some may come from acting backgrounds in theater, film, or television, while others may not have formal training.
Yes, a few documentaries explore the unique and passionate world of football fans, such as:
Superfan (2013): This documentary follows a group of Sunderland AFC fans through a rollercoaster season.
Boca Juniors: A Passion Like No Other (2014): This documentary explores
What if I’m new to football? Are there documentaries for beginners?
Docuseries like “First Team: Juventus” (2018) offer a great behind-the-scenes look at a professional club, giving you a feel for the inner workings of the sport.
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