Coronavirus: Five football movies to watch in lockdown

Fans can shift their focus towards these football-centric movies for the time being.

Times are unprecedented as where not only football has had to take a step back, but mostly all other sources of entertainment and leisurely activities have subsided too, because of the coronavirus outbreak. People have had to isolate themselves in their homes in order to avoid the spread of the infection but are clearly missing their usual dose of football that provided a pleasant escape from life’s monotonous cycle.

This article will aim at introducing some classic movies that were based on football. These movies are not the most commercially or critically acclaimed but could prove to be the best alternative for the football-hungry audience.

Here are the five movies on football one could watch amidst the lockdown era:

5. Mean Machine (2001)

The movie starred Vinnie Jones, who prior to venturing in the field of acting also had the experience of playing in the top-flight of English football for various clubs such as Sheffield United, Chelsea and Queens Park Rangers. 

He plays the character of Danny Meehan, who is a retired professional footballer but was banned for allegedly fixing a game versus Germany. The movie is a sports comedy that depicts how Meehan is imprisoned and later goes on to lead a team of inmates against the guards in an epic encounter.

The movie also stars Jason Statham as the goalkeeper of the inmates’ team, which is a refreshing fact in itself.

4. Dhan Dhana Dhan Goal (2007)

A movie that will hit home with the sub-continent audience, especially the diaspora living in the United Kingdom. Dhan Dhana Dhan Goal, starring the likes of John Abraham, Boman Irani and Arshad Warsi among other well-known actors remains one of the most ambitious attempts at making a football-centric movie by Bollywood. The film enjoys a cult following despite a shaky commercial performance.

The narrative is centred around the South Asian community in the UK and the various existential issues they face living in a foreign country like England. The focus is on a local football club named Southall United, comprising of amateur players mainly originating from India, Pakistan and Bangladesh; which is facing a ceasing of operations until their dues are paid by achieving success on the field.

What follows is a story of a local community coming together to achieve a common goal against tough odds, thanks to the leadership of local hero Sunny Bhasin (John Abraham) who decides to give up a lucrative offer of playing for Millwall FC, and helps Southall United instead.

3. Bend It Like Beckham (2002)

One of the most iconic and popular movies centred around football back in the early 2000s, Bend It Like Beckham, was directed by Gurinder Chaddha and stars the likes of Parminder Nagra, Keira Knightley and Anupam Kher. 

This British comedy is a classic for various reasons, as it touched upon topics such as the life of a Sikh family in London, women’s football and the many cultural reference points that the audience could relate to.

The narrative follows Jesminder Bhamra (Parminder) and Juliette Paxton (Keira) and how they overcome various obstacles that female footballers have to endure in order to make a name for themselves in the football sphere.

2. Goal! (2005)

It is tough to conclude which of the three movies (yes, there is a third as well) in the Goal! franchise is the best of the lot. While the first instalment raised many eyebrows and earned commercial success, the second instalment built on that hype and took things to the next level in terms of amalgamating football action and the narrative around it.

Goal!, depicts the story of Santiago Munez whose family is struggling to make ends meet in the United States after illegally immigrating from Mexico in order to find a better life. Munez is exceptionally gifted at football but is constantly berated by his father who wants him to focus on the business side of things.

The film brilliantly covers Munez’s struggle on and off the pitch in a gripping tale, where he travels to England and plies his trade against the best clubs and players in the league. 

The movie is a must-watch for both movie fanatics and sports enthusiasts as it brings the two different worlds ever so close. It garnered special praise thanks to the cameos from real-life players including the likes of Alan Shearer and Zinedine Zidane.

1. Goal 2: Living The Dream (2007)

The ambitious sequel to the original “Goal!” movie that follows Santiago Munez’s (Kuno Becker) next big step in his career, transitioning from Newcastle United to Real Madrid, which instantly propels him from a football star to a global icon. Also joining him in his journey is his NUFC teammate, Gavin Harris(Alessandro Nivola). 

The movie goes a step further from its predecessor and piles on more original cameos featuring the likes of David Beckham, Sergio Ramos, Roberto Carlos, Ronaldinho, Robinho, Zinedine Zidane, Carles Puyol, Samuel Eto'o, Iker Casillas, Thierry Henry, Guti, Cesc Fàbregas, Raúl, Lionel Messi and more!

The story depicts Munez who is having to deal with the negative aspects of stardom, fallouts in his personal relationships and discovering the origins of his mother and younger brother whilst also guiding Real Madrid through a riveting UEFA Champions League campaign. A must watch for every football fan out there.

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