Let me begin my latest offering by asking you a question – how many of you have watched the recently released “Ronaldo” movie?
I watched it a couple of weeks back and openly admit was left disappointed. He obviously comes across as a very decent family man but I could not help but think this was a movie made for the sake of making a movie just because it’s Ronaldo. Knowing the producers of this movie made the absolutely outstanding “Senna” documentary I was particularly looking forward to grabbing a wee shandy, packing the family off to bed and having a couple of hours to myself to join Ronaldo on his remarkable adventure. Unfortunately though this is not a patch on Senna! So this got me thinking, what is the best football documentary out there?
How many of you have seen “I believe in miracles” the story of Nottingham Forest winning back-to-back European Cups in 1979 and 80? Now that is a proper football documentary. If you don’t know the story of that side and their larger than life manager, the late great Brian Clough I implore you to take a look. I think it’s safe to say they don’t make players like that graced that side anymore. How about BBC Alba’s documentary “Gothenburg 83” on our very own Cup Winners Cup side which aired a couple of years back? Superbly produced by Purple TV I believe “Gothenburg 83” was better than the award winning “Jock Stein” documentary which aired only last year. I was honored to have contributed my late father’s old cine-film footage where he captured our journey to Gothenburg as a family all those years ago which I would like to think helped bring the documentary to life. We all know winning the Cup Winners Cup was an outstanding achievement but the documentary captures emotions from those involved like nothing I have seen before. Trust me when I tell you the hairs on the back of my neck stood to attention throughout the programme.
If you’re looking for a feel-good factor documentary then nothing beats “Next Goal Wins” a movie about the world’s worst football team, American Somao. On the 11th April 2001 in a 2002 World Cup qualifying match Australia beat Somao 31-0 which to this day remains the largest victory in international football. Australia’s Archie Thompson set a world-record that day scoring 13 goals which is the most in any international game. To give you an idea the movie centers on a group of players desperately trying to lift themselves from the depths of international football and their new coach, Dutch-born, American-based coach Thomas Rognen who is employed to basically turn their luck around. I don’t want to say too much but what I will say is this movie is simply wonderful.
Before the MLS became the MLS in America for those of us who are old enough to remember America enjoyed the NASL with all its glamorous trappings. “Once in a Lifetime” is the story behind the New York Cosmos who boasted some of the world’s most famous players at the time, Franz Beckenbauer, Johan Cruyff and Pele. This is a remarkable story of how “soccer” almost became the nation’s favourite pastime. For those of you who enjoyed the odd kipper tie coupled with big hair and flared trousers this is a must for you. Superbly shot this is a trip back to the 1970’s with the added benefit of a fantastic soundtrack. Try and watch this without tapping your feet or gently rocking your body!
To be honest there is so much to choose from, most which is widely available on YouTube but nothing beats ESPN’s 30 for 30 award winning documentary “The Two Escobars” This is a story of a Columbian drug lord and a famous Columbian football player (non-related) who was tragically killed only ten days after scoring an own goal in the 1994 World Cup in America which ultimately eliminated his side from the competition. It’s a superb examination of football, crime and politics. The story goes very deep into the world of Columbian people at the time when drug-lord Pablo Escobar ruled the roost with an iron-fist. It’s an astonishing story with its obvious sadness attached, in simple terms – mesmerizing!
To be honest there is so much to choose from, most which is widely available on YouTube but nothing beats ESPN’s 30 for 30 award winning documentary “The Two Escobars” This is a story of a Columbian drug lord and a famous Columbian football player (non-related) who was tragically killed only ten days after scoring an own goal in the 1994 World Cup in America which ultimately eliminated his side from the competition. It’s a superb examination of football, crime and politics. The story goes very deep into the world of Columbian people at the time when drug-lord Pablo Escobar ruled the roost with an iron-fist. It’s an astonishing story with its obvious sadness attached, in simple terms – mesmerizing!
