The Euro Cup and the Copa America have concluded for the year 2024. Spain and Argentina have once again, shone the brightest in the football world. While I’m going to cherish these wins for a long time, the idea of no league or international football for some time is eating me inside out.
Well, I have found a perfect solution for that; football documentaries on Netflix. Now, it’s up to you to wait for the next football season to start, or watch some riveting documentaries on Netflix. Anyway, below I am recommending some must-watch football documentaries that you shouldn’t miss on Netflix. Let’s get started:
Pro tip: Before binge-watching these documentaries, make sure your internet is up for the task. Frequent buffering and interruption will spoil the fun of these documentaries. But, if you have a quality connection like Xfinity, fret not! Xfinity Internet provide high-speed internet along with premium TV services which ensures a smooth online viewing experience.
There have been a few football players who have had as luxurious a career as David Beckham. Gen Z may not rank him highly, but his vision and immaculate passing make him one of the best-attacking midfielders the world has ever seen.
Beckham explores all the ins and outs of David Beckham’s life. As a viewer, you’d be shocked to see how Beckham’s free-kick single-handedly took England to World Cup 2002 finals.
That being said, Beckham’s rise in the football world wasn’t so smooth. Controversies, especially at Man United and Real Madrid, didn’t let him live in peace. Sometimes, his manager, Sir Alex Ferguson made everything unbearable. And sometimes, it was Beckham’s own negligence that portrayed him as a “spoiled brat” in the media.
Last but not least, David Beckham’s decision to leave Real Madrid for Los Angeles Galaxy may bamboozle a lot of viewers. It was a controversial decision, but surely a masterstroke! To know why, watch Beckham now!
In 2022, we witnessed Messi lifting the World Cup. He came so close against Germany in 2014, but this time, he bagged the only missing trophy in his lustrous trophy cabinet. Even though I’m a Ronaldo fan, I was happy to see him conquer the sport.
As FIFA World Cup 2022 was nearing the end, Netflix was planning to drop a magnificent docuseries, comprising 6 episodes. All the 32 captains leading their sides in the World Cup are featured in the documentary. As a viewer, you’ll get to know many before-match rituals players believe in and follow. But more than that, you will see how pressure takes a dig even at some seasoned players.
Nonetheless, Captains of the World is a masterpiece that tells you how players put everything on the line to achieve glory for their nation.
Barca rarely signs a young prodigy. It’s because La Masia; Barca’s youth academy is arguably one of the best youth academies in the world. However, Barcelona went overboard to sign a raw talent; Neymar.
Neymar’s story starts in Santos and quickly moves to Barcelona. In the meantime, he positioned himself as a formidable part of the Brazilian national football team.
From being a formidable part of the Messi-Neymar-Suarez (MSN) trio that wreaked havoc on the opponent’s defense to winning the famous treble in 2015, Neymar was once termed the most skillful footballer in the world.
However, in 2017, Neymar left Barcelona for Paris-Saint German (PSG) and everything seemed to go downhill from that point. Although, he bagged multiple domestic trophies, neither PSG nor Neymar could ever get their hands on European success.
Although Neymar’s record at PSG is far better than that of most players, his tenure was full of injuries and controversies.
Neymar: The Perfect Chaos displays Neymar's immense talent and what went wrong. The testaments from ex-teammates, managers, and friends will make you realize how hard it is to stay on top and how quickly people bring down a hero.
Arguably, Pele was a true icon of the sport. Pele started his professional career when he was 15. Santos provided him a chance to showcase his skills, and his sterling performances soon caught the eyes of Brazil’s national football team’s selectors. Soon after, Pele starred in Brazil’s line-up against their arch-rivals; Argentina.
That being said, Pele played a vital role in Brazil’s World Cup win after 28 years. Pele scored 6 goals in 4 games and in the following years, he ensured Brazil remained a dominant force in international football. Pele won 3 World Cups – a record that still holds and modern-day legends have failed to surpass his World Cup tally.
After watching Pele, you’ll get to know how Brazil’s political turmoil reshaped Pele’s philosophy about football. The testaments of former teammates, family members, and club officials will make you realize that Pele was a once-in-a-generation footballer.
A Bonus Round
Here are some more suggestions that I’d love you to watch:
In recent times, FIFA has failed to uphold its positive image among the fans. The decision to host FIFA World Cup 2022 in Qatar is one of the many controversies that has left fans with a bad taste. This docuseries uncovers some major scandals that have not come to the limelight. Not only that, viewers will get to see how power struggles and political agendas shape FIFA’s executives' decisions.
This documentary is based on La Liga’s season 2023-24. You’ll see how the club’s think tank sits and plans everything; from finances to match-day tactics. Besides the traditional rivalry between Barca and Madrid, viewers will get to see how Atletico Madrid and Sevilla vigorously planned to topple their dominance in the league. Nonetheless, La Liga: All Access is a great watch to know why La Liga is one of the best football leagues in the world.
