The Best Soccer Documentaries in 2024

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Best Soccer Documentaries
LET US RANK THE BEST SOCCER DOCUMENTARIES 

Soccer is the most popular sport in the world. Soccer transcends borders and brings the world together, one game at a time. Beyond the excitement of matches and the thrill of competition, soccer has a rich history and a profound impact on culture and society.

While the joy of watching a live game can’t be beaten, there’s something special about delving into soccer through documentaries. In these documentaries, you get to see a side of the game that you would never be able to understand by simply watching the game. As big as soccer is in the world, by watching soccer, we only get to see a fraction of the story. Watching documentaries reveals political ties, corruption, and drug cartels benefiting from the beautiful game.

On top of those things, we also get to dive into a player’s thoughts and background. In this article, we’ve curated a list of the best soccer documentaries in the world today. Whether you’re a die-hard fan or a casual observer, these documentaries will leave you thinking.

The two escobars

ESPN 30 for 30 “The Two Escobars” (2010)

Few documentaries manage to intertwine the worlds of soccer and crime as profoundly as “The Two Escobars.” This gripping documentary, directed by Jeff and Michael Zimbalist, delves deep into the lives of two men from vastly different backgrounds who shared an unforeseen and tragic connection.

Andrés Escobar, a talented and beloved Colombian soccer player, and Pablo Escobar, the infamous drug lord, left an indelible mark on their country, though in vastly contrasting ways. The film weaves a narrative that transcends the boundaries of sport and delves into the complex and often dark intersections between soccer and society, showing how the sport can reflect and even shape the destiny of a nation.

The Two Escobars ranks as our #1 choice in the best soccer documentaries.

More Information:
  • Directors: The documentary was directed by Jeff Zimbalist and Michael Zimbalist. They aimed to delve into the connections between soccer and society and how the sport and the drug trade influenced the lives of the two Escobars.
  • Andrés Escobar: Andrés Escobar was a Colombian soccer player and a key figure in the documentary. He was a talented defender and played for the Colombian national team during the 1994 FIFA World Cup. Tragically, he scored an own goal during a match against the United States, which contributed to Colombia’s elimination from the tournament. Andrés Escobar was subsequently murdered in Colombia, believed to be related to his own goal.
  • Pablo Escobar: Pablo Escobar was a notorious Colombian drug lord and the leader of the Medellín Cartel. He was one of history’s most influential and dangerous criminals responsible for most of the global cocaine trade during the 1980s. The documentary examines how his criminal activities and influence impacted Colombian society, including its sports scene.
  • Soccer and Society: “The Two Escobars” explores the intricate relationship between soccer and society in Colombia during the 1980s and 1990s. It delves into how the sport became intertwined with the drug trade, corruption, and violence that plagued the country during this time.

Pele Documentary

Pelé (2021)

The “Pelé” documentary on Netflix offers a view of the life and career of the legendary Brazilian soccer icon, Pelé. Directed by David Tryhorn and Ben Nicholas, the film covers Pele’s life, from playing barefoot soccer on the streets of São Paulo to his emergence as a global superstar. Through a skillful blend of archival footage, interviews, and personal anecdotes, the documentary shows us the challenges Pelé faced as he navigated the expectations of a soccer mad nation and the pressures of international fame.Initial release: February 23, 2021

More Information:
  • Directors: David Tryhorn, Ben Nicholas
  • Languages: English, Portuguese
  • Producers: David Tryhorn, Ben Nicholas, Kevin Macdonald
  • Distributed by: Netflix

Pelé is a cultural legend who was born Edson Arantes do Nascimento on October 23, 1940, in Três Corações, Brazil. He grew up in poverty in Bauru, São Paulo. Pelé is widely regarded as one of the greatest football players ever. He played as a forward and spent most of his career with Santos FC in Brazil and the New York Cosmos in the United States.

World Cup Success: Pelé won the FIFA World Cup thrice with the Brazilian national team in 1958, 1962, and 1970. He remains the only player in history to have won three FIFA World Cup titles.

Youngest World Cup Winner: Pelé made his World Cup debut at 17 in the 1958 World Cup held in Sweden. He scored six goals in the tournament, including a hat-trick in the semifinal against France and two in the final against Sweden.

Fifa uncovered soccer documentary

FIFA Uncovered (2022)

From power struggles to global politics, an exploration of FIFA reveals the organization’s checkered history and what it takes to host a World Cup. Unfortunately, any powerful organization that answers to no one will most likely be corrupt. All government organizations have some level of corruption. Some hide it better than others, and FIFA is no exception.

This soccer documentary sheds light on the corruption within FIFA for decades. Behind the talented players we all know and love, something is going on behind the scenes that taints the reputation of the world’s greatest sport.

Maradona

Diego Maradona (2019)

“Diego Maradona” is a documentary that provides a comprehensive and engaging exploration of the career of the celebrated football player. It offers audiences a deeper understanding of the man behind the legend, making it an essential watch for anyone interested in one of the most iconic figures in the history of football. ures in the history of football.

Picture of Santiago
Santiago

Santiago is a sports enthusiast, fitness lover, writer, entrepreneur, and owner of letusrank.com. Born in Cali, Colombia, before moving to the sunny shores of Florida at the age of 7, Santiago has played soccer for as long as he can remember and has no plans to stop playing.

In pursuing a well-rounded athletic lifestyle, Santiago discovered the world of weightlifting and boxing at 13. Santiago would attend a local boxing gym and go to neighborhood backyard fights, where kids his age would put on gloves and box.

Let Us Rank reflects the passion and experience he's gained outside of his professional life, a digital canvas where he shares his insights into the sports he's been following for over 20 years—Soccer, boxing, and MMA.

Whether dissecting a soccer match or predicting an MMA or boxing fight, he aims to inspire, educate, and foster a community that shares a passion for sports and an active and vibrant lifestyle.

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