It’s official: football season is finally underway. While the first fixtures for both the Premier League and Ligue 1 started earlier this month, Germany’s Bundesliga, Spain’s La Liga and Italy’s Serie A kicked-off just this past Friday.
As football fans from all around the world settle in for what’s expected to be an exciting 2019/20 season, we’ve curated a list of the best football documentaries that are now available to stream, or will be available soon, to help quench your thirst between match days.
Undoubtedly in the past many projects have released showcasing the beautiful game and its legendary players. However, HYPEBEAST has focused more on the recent ones to set your radars on. Each behind-the-scenes documentary gives viewers a closer look at the personalities behind their lauded heroes and the truths behind the controversies and locker room dramas.
For those who can’t get enough football, check out 10 documentaries you can stream via Netflix and Amazon Prime below.
And for more on the beautiful game, here are the 10 best football kits of the 2019/20 season.
This Is Football (2019)
Release Date: Available now on Amazon Prime
Why you should watch: Having launched at the beginning of August, This is Football is a six-part docu-series with each emotionally-charted episode centering around a different theme: Redemption, Faith, Chances, Love, Pride, and Miracles. Coming in at one-hour, each episode will also explore the emotions, stories, passions and triumphs found at the heart of the game and will take viewers from the streets of Delhi to the pitches of the Champions League. The first episode focuses on a group of Rwandan Liverpool fans and how football played a part in recovering from the Rwandan Civil War, while another takes a look at the rise of the women’s game.
All or Nothing: Manchester City (2018)
Release Date: Available now on Amazon Prime
Why you should watch: Manchester City’s historic 2017/18 campaign led by Spaniard Pep Guardiola — which saw the club set new records on the number of points, goals and wins ever recorded in a PL season — can be relived via this eight-part series. While the documentary’s title suggests the film is about Premier League club Manchester City, it however pays more focus on Guardiola and the inner workings of one of the world’s most successful managers. Featuring exclusive interviews with players and staff, All or Nothing: Manchester City is essential viewing for all City fans.
Sunderland Til I Die (2018)
Release Date: Available now on Netflix
Why you should watch: Sunderland Til I Die is an enthralling, and at times cringe-worthy look at Sunderland’s relegation to the English Championship from the Premier League in 2017. The eight-part season was hoping to capture the club’s move back to the top flight, instead seeing Sunderland collapse further into the third-tier. Along with showcasing the volatile effects of numerous changes in players and staff, the documentary also showcases how Sunderland’s relegation affected the club’s fans, city and society in general. A second season is said to be in the works.
Inside Borussia Dortmund (2019)
Release Date: Available now on Amazon Prime
Why you should watch: Inside Borussia Dortmund takes a look at one of Bundesliga’s biggest clubs during their 2018/19 campaign and how they challenged rivals Bayern Munich for the league title. Unlike the majority of the documentaries on this list that focus on the English clubs, this four-part series will turn its attention to Germany. The exclusive documentary will also include interviews from former coaches Jürgen Klopp and Ottmar Hitzfeld, along with 1997 European Cup-winning captain Matthias Sammer.
El Corazon de Sergio Ramos or The Heart of Sergio Ramos (2019)
Release Date: September 13 on Amazon Prime
Why you should watch: This eight-part documentary will place a microscope on controversial football star Sergio Ramos. The series will chronicle Ramos’ time during the 2018/19 season showcasing the highs and lows of the Spaniard for both his club and country. During this time Real Madrid went through three different managers, lost 5-1 against a Lionel Messi-less Barcelona, and got knocked out in the Champions League Round-of-16 after winning three consecutive championship titles.
First Team: Juventus (2018)
Release Date: Available now on Netflix
Why you should watch: Italian legends Gianluigi Buffon, Andrea Barzagli and Giorgio Chiellini feature heavily in this Netflix series which tells the story of Juventus’ 2017/18 campaign. The two seasons – split into three episodes each — are filled with footage of the Serie A champions both on and off the pitch, behind-the-scenes looks, and exclusive interviews with manager Massimiliano Allegri and more. Juve legend Alessandro Del Piero also makes an appearance.
Ronaldo (2015)
Release Date: Available now on Netflix
Why you should watch: Arguably one of the best football players of all-time, Ronaldo has garnered equal amounts of fans and haters during his illustrious career thus far. Ronaldo gives fans a closer look into the star’s life from his on-pitch heroics, being the name and face of a multitude of global brands, and finally his multiple Ballon d’Or wins. It’s also noteworthy that this documentary succeeds in humanizing Ronaldo, who has often times been criticized for his apparent arrogance.
Class of ‘92 (2013)
Release Date: Available now on Amazon Prime
Why you should watch: As one of the oldest entries in this list, Class of ‘92 is a feel good look at Manchester United and their long and storied history with the FA Cup. This documentary also centers on how David Beckham, Ryan Giggs, Paul Scholes, Nicky Butt, Gary Neville, and Phil Neville reached the pinnacle of their careers in 1999 with a historic treble of winning the Premier League, FA Cup and UEFA Champions League. Interviews from Zinedine Zidane, Eric Cantona and former UK Prime Minister Tony Blair are also included. A must watch for all football fans, not just for those who support the Red Devils.
Bobby Robson: More Than a Manager (2018)
Release Date: Available now on Netflix
Why you should watch: Bobby Robson: More Than a Manager highlights both the highs and the lows of the revered Robson, both as a coach and as a man. From his times at Ipswich Town to his hometown club Newcastle, this documentary delves deep into how Robson became such a pillar of the English game. The film includes interviews with José Mourinho, Sir Alex Ferguson and Pep Guardiola, along with archival footage and home video clips.
Take Us Home (2019)
Release Date: Available now on Amazon Prime
Why you should watch: Narrated by Academy Award winner and avid Leeds fan Russell Crowe, this six-part documentary looks back on Leeds’ journey to regain their spot in the Premier League during their 2018/19 campaign. The series will give fans a behind-the-scenes look at everything from the boardroom to the changing room and highlight coach Marcelo Bielsa’s goal in making Leeds’ dreams come true.
Click here to view full gallery at HYPEBEAST