Top 10 Football Documentaries on Netflix- Ranked 2024

Football is a sport that fans come to embrace through friends, family, or sometimes their own curiosity. Be it following and supporting a particular team or player, almost every fan remembers how they first picked up the beautiful game. That said, people also become a part of the global community of fans by playing and watching football games. However, for some fans, this initial introduction can also occur by way of a football documentary.

All things considered, football is the most popular sport in the world and is consumed by billions on a daily basis in various forms of content. Whilst televised matches and video games have been the major drivers of the sport’s evergrowing popularity, football documentary series have become an increasingly popular source of drawing in new people to the sport.

A football documentary or docuseries focuses on the interpersonal, real-life side of things, giving us a glimpse into the personalities, motivations, and behind-the-scenes of teams, players and tournaments. In what is essentially a never-before-seen side of the sport, longstanding fans, and newly interested parties find themselves enveloped by a sense of curiosity and intrigue. 

With that said, in this one, we’ll be taking a look at the top football documentary series which tells the stories of the legendary clubs, winners, losers, icons, and talented outcasts of the sport. Whilst some of the names on our list may sound familiar, there are some that need to be on top of your watchlist. Without much further ado, let’s get started. 

Top Football Documentary and series on Netflix

For the most part, football as a sport has a massive market and as a result, numerous parties want a piece of the pie. That said, numerous media streaming companies and OTT platforms have undertaken football-related projects. For our list today, we will be solely focusing on Netflix and all the football documentaries available on the platforms. 

Thus, if your favorite series or football documentary does not make the list, rest assured that we will be compiling a separate list for those series and football documentaries in the near future. As such, renowned series like All or Nothing, Ted Lasso, Welcome to Wrexham, and more will not be appearing on this list. Regardless, we have some great picks in store for you today, and make sure that you won’t be left disappointed. 

#10. Anelka: Misunderstood

The first football documentary on our list pertains to one of the highly sought-after forwards of the late 90s and 2000s. Those who remember the young striker who burst onto the scene in 1997 at Arsenal, will know that Anelka has had a troubled history with clubs, bouncing from some of the top clubs in Europe, never seeming to settle in one place. Despite an overall illustrious career, Anelka was never truly able to share his side of the story and fans have always wondered why. 

As such this football documentary shines a light on his journey, his squabbles with coaches, troubles with the press and media in a behind-the-scenes tell-all that features the likes of Thierry Henry, Patrice Evra, and Arsene Wenger, and their testimony of the once highly regarded French attacking talent.

#9. Bad Sport

In a docuseries that primarily focuses on global controversies and scandals across various sports, Episode 3, “Footballgate” shines a light on an incident that shook the footballing world to its core. Juventus, one of the most reputed teams in world football and one of the biggest teams in Italy, found itself implicated in a match-fixing scandal that left a scathing mark on the Old Lady. According to reports, former Juventus director Luciano Moggi influenced referees to make calls in the team’s favor during the 2004–2005 Serie A season. 

As a result of the clear and obvious breach of the rules and sportsmanship, the 2006 Calciopoli match-fixing saw Moggi, who had a long history of fraudulent and dubious activity, banned for 5 years, whilst the team itself was forced to play in Serie B for a season. One of the greatest controversies that the sport has possibly ever seen, it most certainly makes for a riveting watch.

#8. Boca Juniors Confidential

The Superclásico derby is the rivalry game between Argentine clubs clubs Boca Juniors and River Plate. These two clubs are the titans of the Campeonato de Fútbol Femenino, and the matchup between them has been dubbed as “the most intense in Argentine football and, perhaps, in the whole of Latin America: the game is a riot of color, noise, and energy.” according to The Observer. That said Boca Juniors Confidential is a deeper dive into the club’s 2017-2018 season which, owing to its highs and lows makes for a telling story.  

The show revolves around the numerous trials and tribulations that the club and the players faced, the return of Boca legend and former Manchester United and Manchester City player Carlos Tevez along with the parallel storyline concerning Lisandro Magallán, whose father passes away midseason, and yet Magallán continues to pursue his law degree to honor his late father. All in all, it makes for a perfectly captured emotional rollercoaster and an ideal introduction to Argentine football. 

#7. First Team: Juventus

As mentioned previously, Juventus is one of the biggest clubs in world football and a pillar of Italian football. Owing to innumerable triumphs over the years, the Old Lady has become somewhat of a habitual winner and with the lavish array of facilities at their disposal, the players of the club are expected to continue that winning tradition. Whilst the previous entry regarding the club paints a very conflicting image of the club, this football documentary truly symbolizes the culture and tradition of the longstanding club.

For the most part, First Team: Juventus follows numerous storylines centered around the players of the 2017–2018 squad, including their pursuits for an elusive Champions League triumph and goal-scorer Gonzalo Higuain’s inconsistent form on the pitch and the impending retirement of the legendary goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon, who had been a servant of the club since 2001. For those wanting to get a glimpse of what the Italian club is truly about, there is no better place to start than with this football documentary. 

#6. Beckham

David Beckham is known to many as a star player and a fashion icon, living the high life whilst playing for some of the biggest teams in world football. Having made his way through Manchester United as part of ‘Fergie’s Fledglings’ in the 1990s, Beckham rose to international fame as a Galactico, flowered with endorsement deals and the celebrity rise as he redefined the boundaries of a professional football player. Married fashion designer and former Spice Girl Victoria Beckham, the marriage itself wrought many debates and debacles, making for a key chapter in the footballer’s life. 

From athlete to pop culture icon to father and movie star, David Beckham’s life and journey have been a special one and it has been adequately captured and presented thanks to the remarkable work of Academy Award-winning director Fisher Stevens (Palmer, And We Go Green, The Cove) along with Academy Award– and Emmy Award-winning producer John Battsek (One Day in September, Searching for Sugar Man, Winter on Fire). Whilst some would argue that this one should be placed higher on the list, our next entries might change your mind.

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#5. Maradona in Mexico

‘El Diego’ or Diego Maradona is one of the most legendary and iconic figures of the sport and one of the most important players to have ever graced this game. That said, the exploits of the eccentric and charismatic football player, both on and off the pitch made for some epic tales, a chapter of which has been shed light on, in this football documentary. Whilst there have been other documentaries more focused on the scandals and substance abuse-related side of his life, this one shows Maradona in his final years as a source of inspiration. 

In 2018, Diego Maradona was the coach of Dorados de Sinaloa, the worst team in Mexico’s second division. A shocking and most surprising appointment and decision on both sides to say the least, the football documentary captures the brilliance of the retired legend and his final hurrah as he slowly changes the fortunes of a team doomed to the depths of Mexican football. All things considered, the documentary makes for a magical presentation of inspiration and hope, and a fitting farewell for the Argentine icon. 

#4. Neymar: The Perfect Chaos

Neymar has often been hailed as the ‘Prince of Brazil’ who shot to fame, owing to his magical ability over a football. From Santos to Barcelona to Paris Saint Germain, his story and rise to superstardom as one of the best players on the planet and subsequent dark turn has been one of a kind. A prolific goalscorer, embodying the spirit of Joga Bonito, the beautiful game, Neymar dazzled and wowed audiences worldwide with his skills and innate talent. However, plagued by injuries and other personal circumstances, his potential and destiny unfortunately remained unfulfilled. 

Whilst everyone sees the Brazilian superstar for the footballer, fashion icon, and superstar that he was, there is a lot more to Neymar’s story than what many realize. That said, this three-part docuseries lends an ear to the human side of the athlete, showcasing the man behind all the glory and fame, a real example of what he and many others like him live like and the overwhelming pressures that they deal with.

#3.Pelé

Quite possibly the greatest ever to step onto a footballing pitch, Pele is hailed as the ‘King of Football’ by fans and peers alike. A talent and presence like no other, there is no end nor comparison to his incredible accomplishments as a player. From a poor kid in Sao Paolo who shined shoes to make ends meet to the only player to win three World Cups, this football documentary does an excellent job of showcasing Pele’s meteoric rise. However, what sets this football documentary apart from others is the fact that it also has a political focus as well.

Known for being an inspiration and an icon, this football documentary really pushes the boundaries and sheds light on Pelé’s political neutrality regarding Brazil’s dictatorship and explores topics like social justice and other heavy topics.  

#2.Sunderland ‘Til I Die

Sunderland is not the first team that might come to a football fan’s mind when thinking about a potential docuseries. That said, one usually drifts towards one of the more renowned, popular, and triumphant teams across world football. Whilst many football documentary series focus on clubs with big ambitions and global fanbases, this one sheds light on the opposite side of the spectrum, a team relegated from the top division of English soccer, the Premier League, to the second tier, the Championship, struggling to find it’s way. 

Highlighting the harsh reality, and the not-so-glamorous side of football, this documentary has a sense of realism, hardship, struggle, and the resilience of those that stay unwavering and faithful to the club till their last breath. Truly one for the fans whose roots in football stem from bonds formed with the minnows and clubs that aren’t always in the headlines, ‘Sunderland ‘Til I Die’ is a love letter to those that stick by their clubs, come hell or high water.

#1.Captains of the World

Football is the world’s most popular sport for a reason. With grand tournaments like the World Cup taking place every four years, it truly brings about entire nations in front of their televisions as they wait with bated breath for their countries to have a moment of magic or a major breakthrough. That said, ‘Captains of the World focuses on the 2022 FIFA World Cup and provides behind-the-scenes, exclusive access to all 32 teams as they ready themselves to battle it out for one of football’s most coveted and prestigious honors. One of the highest-rated docuseries for a reason, it truly brings to life the importance and the weight of the World Cup. 

In what made for a grandstand finale, the show depicts what was quite possibly one of the most legendary World Cup finals of all time in the history of the sport. The crowning moment for Argentina’s Lionel Messi as he grasped the much elusive World Cup trophy, fending off a young challenger to the throne in France’s Kylian Mbappe. A final that will live on and be discussed for decades to come, this football documentary truly encapsulates what the sport is all about.

Honorable Mentions 

Here are some honorable mentions that very nearly made it into the list of top 10 football documentary series on Netflix.

Under Pressure: The U.S. Women’s World Cup Team

Under Pressure is a football documentary that follows the US women’s national soccer team and their journey at the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup. Having been the favorites to bring home the trophy a third time in a row, the team ultimately fails to deliver on the lofty expectations, with their incredible tale unfortunately ending in heartbreak. Regardless, the documentary captures the hardships that the women’s soccer team endured and touches on numerous key issues as well. 

Owing to it being a documentary on women’s football, the series highlights some of the off-pitch issues related to it such as injuries, equal pay, discrimination, and upholding legacies. That said, the presence of veteran champions including Alex Morgan and Lindsey Horan, 18-year-old rising star Alyssa Thompson, and US Women’s World Cup Team first-timers Lynn Williams, Kristie Mewis, and Savannah DeMelo is much appreciated.

The Playbook

Episode 2, “Jill Ellis”; Episode 3, “José Mourinho”

The Playbook focuses on legendary coaches and the method to their madness which has ultimately led them to a lot of success over the course of their careers. Whilst Episode 2 focuses on the US Women’s National Soccer Team coach Jill Ellis, we get a more in-depth look as she speaks about how she was able to win Two World Cups, thanks to her players and the people around her. 

Episode 3 revolves around Jose Mourinho, one of the most legendary managers in world football as he discusses his tussles with the media and the secret formula behind how to motivate world-class players that have already found success in their careers. Known as ‘The Special One’ for a reason, the episode gives a close-up look into the mind of a fan-favorite manager.

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