Soccer Movies

Director Adrian Goldberg handles the story of The Celtic Boys Club Scandal (2021) without sensationalism. The film is one every youth soccer organization can learn from.

• https://soccermoviemom.com/celtic-boys-club-scandal-2021/

 

Greg Clark's documentary Real Kashmir FC (2019) makes you wonder if being a football coach is a career, a calling, or a sheer act of stubbornness.

See my full review at https://soccermoviemom.com/real-kashmir-fc-2019/

 

The netflix drama Baggio: The Divine Ponytail (2021) about a footballing great is too much about pain and lacks enough soccer.

See my full review at https://soccermoviemom.com/baggio-2021/

 

LFG (2021) captures the drama and excitement of the 2019 #EqualPay movement. But it takes a very dedicated viewer to absorb this lengthy film. On HBOMax.

See my full review at https://soccermoviemom.com/lfg-2021/

 

The German documentary Men of Hope (2019) captures a moment in time when Afghani football attracts more headlines than terror and violence. It may not exist much longer.

See my full review at https://soccermoviemom.com/men-of-hope-2019

 

In Champion (2019), young Jones must choose between pursuing a football life or seeking revenge. I rate this film second after Bigil of all the Indian soccer dramas that I have seen. So you could do a lot worse. I watched this on Amazon Prime.

See my full review at soccermoviemom.com/champion-2019/

 

If anyone cares, Soccer Mom Madam (2021) is not a soccer movie.

See my full review at https://soccermoviemom.com/soccer-mom-madam-2021/

 

All I Need is a Ball (2020) is a short docu about a female professional freestyler and is a pleasure to watch.

See my full review at soccermoviemom.com/all-i-need-is-a-ball-2020/

 

Cool Kids Don't Cry (2012) is a hopeful and touching film about a vibrant eighth grade female footballer who contracts leukemia, and how she and her classmates respond to her illness as it progresses.

See my full review at soccermoviemom.com/cool-kids-dont-cry-2012/

 

The International Player (2009) is entertaining drama as a young man leads Egypt to the World Cup despite an alcoholic father and tragedy. On netflix.

See my full review at https://soccermoviemom.com/el-alamy-2009/

 

While nothing much happens in Rovers (2016), the series is like Ted Lasso in that it leaves you as warm as toast. On Amazon IMDB TV.

See my full review at https://soccermoviemom.com/rovers-2016/

 

Cosmoball (2020), or Goalkeeper of the Galaxy, is a blast and comparable to a Marvel-universe CGI blockbuster. Watch it on Amazon Prime.

See my full review at https://soccermoviemom.com/cosmoball-2020/

 

I reviewed Ted Lasso Season 2 (2021). A lot darker, not quite as fun, but I look forward to Season 3.

See my full review at https://soccermoviemom.com/ted-lasso-2021/

 

Otra forma de entender la vida (2021) - To win your league during a pandemic, you must tackle one game at a time: partido a partido. Even though I am not an Atletico Madrid fan, I am touched by what this club, their fans, and their country have endured.

See my full review at soccermoviemom.com/atletico-madrid-2021/

 

Maradona, the Hand of God (2007) is one of the first Maradona self-destruct dramatizations. On Amazon, you can easily settle for this feature film version instead of the 10-12 hour series Maradona sueno bendito

See my full review at https://soccermoviemom.com/maradona-2007/

 

Maradona in Mexico (2019) may be the only series or film that is his saving grace. It's not narco-fútbol.

See my full review at https://soccermoviemom.com/maradona-in-mexico-2019/

 

Oof, another Maradona series, this time from Amazon: Maradona Sueño Bendito (2021) aka Maradona Blessed Dream, has sex, more sex, drugs, and fútbol. Absorbing but often distasteful.

See my full review at https://soccermoviemom.com/maradona-sueno-bendito-2021

 

My best and worst list for 2021

• https://soccermoviemom.com/best-worst-2021/

Although not really a soccer movie, The Rescue (2021) gives a sense of the bravery that every step requires from all of the 5,000 rescuers and is truly an inspiring film.

• See my full review at soccermoviemom.com/the-rescue-2021/

 

The Holy Game (2021) educates you on playing in the Vatican's Clericus Cup and on becoming a priest. But is it sportswashing?

• See my full review at https://soccermoviemom.com/the-holy-game-2021/

 

Neymar: The Perfect Chaos (2022)
As I've often lamented, these biographical documentaries about current athletes and teams are really infomercials. But if you ever wanted to see a celebrity living in a cage, this is the series for you. On netflix.

• See my full review at https://soccermoviemom.com/neymar-2022/

 

Were those all-star scenes filmed at RFK in 2004? Back then there were only 10 MLS teams... so not that many choices to talk about... I remember reading or watching something where Patrick Stewart complained about how crazy it was to play soccer during the summer in such heat and humidity.

 

The Pogmentary (2022) - Le Pogmentaire = 5 episodes on Amazon prime. It's enough to just watch the trailer.
It seems that after leaving ManU, Paul Pogba will become a cartoon super hero. Good luck to him.

• See my full review at https://soccermoviemom.com/the-pogmentary-2022/

 

There is much to appreciate in Wayne Rooney's talent. I never followed his career and found Rooney (2022) to be a good summary of his ability, with lovely football footage. On Amazon Prime.

• See my full review at soccermoviemom.com/rooney-2022/

 

The HBOMax docuseries Bilardo, the Soccer Doctor (2022), aka Bilardo, el doctor del futbol, is a revelation that thoroughly describes the man behind Maradona's success.

See my full review at https://soccermoviemom.com/bilardo-2022/