See the best football documentaries actually worth watching on Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Disney Plus, BT Sport. BBC iPlayer and Sky.
Much like football autobiographies, there are a lot of boring football documentaries.
Here are the ones actually worth watching. I’ll add the newest football documentaries to the top of this list.
You’ll find everything from controversial stories, inspiring Hollywood endings and genius footballers.
And you might also be interested in my lists of best football podcasts and sports documentaries on Netflix.
Ronaldo: The Phenomenon – BBC iPlayer
One of my favourite football documentaries on the list, it goes into detail about that 98′ world cup final and the difficult next four years.
It’ll make you happy and sad several times over as one of the greatest strikers in modern history recounts the pressure of a nation in his shoulders whilst dealing with the media headlines. There’s also interviews with legends like Roberto Carlos, Romario and Christian Vieri.
If you’re not old enough to remember Ronaldo, just think Haaland, but better.
That Peter Crouch Film – Amazon Prime
Most football documentaries cover brilliant teenage prodgedies who transfer that to the big stage seemlessly. Peter Crouch’s rise was anything but easy.
Not only did people question his footballing abilities, but also his height. At 6ft7in, it’s easy to be the butt of jokes when you’re not performing on the pitch. That Peter Crouch Film shows just how relentless he was to make it and end with a couple of milestones and trophies to boot. As always, Crouch brings his trademark humour to the doc.
Deadline Day: Football’s Transfer Window – Sky
Follow the day in a life of a football agent as they try to negotiate moves for their clients. If you’ve ever wondered what football agents actually do, this will explain all.
Deadline Day follows the journey of several players in various stages of their career, including moves to Ajax, PSG and Man United. Are they ready for that big club move yet? And what stalls negotiations?
Together Stronger – BBC iPlayer
Once ranked lower than Haiti – 117th in the world, Wales finally qualified for their first World Cup in 64 years. It wasn’t an overnight success by current manager Robert Page by any means.
Together Stronger begins with John Toshack taking over the managerial job in 2004 and looking to the future, with Bryan Flynn. With many of the old Welsh guard retiring from international football, Toshack began to lower the average squad age from 26-27 to 22-23 by bringing in the likes of Aaron Ramsey and Gareth Bale at a young age, and anyone who had a Welsh grandparent.
There’s no trailer for Together Stronger unfortunately.
Captains – Netflix and Fifa+
Do captains really influence a team? A lot more than I thought they did. Captains is a brilliant look into six international captains on their journey to qualifying for the World Cup 2022.
Watch Pierre Emerick Aubameyang (Gabon), Luka Modric (Croatia), Thiago Silva (Brazil), Hassan Maatouk (Lebanon), Brian Kaltack (Vanuatu) and Andre Blake (Jamaica) on and off the pitch and how they got to where they are today.
Fifa have blocked me embedding the trailer so you’ll have to watch on YouTube.
Diego Maradona – Amazon Prime Video
After a record breaking transfer to Barcelona didn’t go to plan, one of the greatest players football has ever seen moved to a struggling team, Napoli.
If you’ve ever wondered why Napoli named the stadium after the Argentinian, the documentary will show you why.
It’ll also reveal how he had to adapt his game for Serie A, went from being called God to the devil, his feelings on that goal against England in the world cup and how his cocaine habit started.
Welcome To Wrexham – Disney Plus
Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney buy a small Welsh club, struggling to get promoted. Can money guarantee promotion?
Welcome to Wrexham also highlights what football clubs mean to towns, community and fans across the UK while Ryan and Rob bring their trademark humour.
The Figo Affair: The Transfer that Changed Football – Netflix
What happens when a player goes to their rival club? There are several layers to this documentary centering around Figo’s controversial move from Real Madrid.
It’s also just a great reminder as to how great Figo was.
I Believe In Miracles – Netflix
The incredible story of how Brian Clough molded a Second Division Nottingham Forest into European Cup winners after a failed stint as Leeds manager (I can recommend the film ‘The Damned United’ for more information on this).
The interviews with former players are hilarious, they clearly had a dressing room full of banter and hijinks. There are also a ton of stories and quotes about the legendary Brian Clough.
Sunderland Till I Die – Netflix
Follow the journey over two seasons as a fly on the wall at the Stadium of Light. Unlike most football documentaries which follow clubs looking to win trophies, Sunderland are looking to avoid relegation.
I won’t spoil the endings of two thrilling seasons, but they are surprisingly tense. And season 3 has finally been confirmed!
The Crazy Gang – BT Sport
The rise of Wimbledon from the old fourth division to the first division. Whilst kicking and elbowing everything that moved.
Former players such as Vinnie Jones, John Fashanu and Dave Beasant reveal all the ‘tactics’ they used to strike fear into their opponents. And that was before they got onto the pitch. Some of the stories are insane.
Sir Alex Ferguson: Never Give In – Amazon Prime Video
One of the most successful managers in the modern game tells his story from playing as a striker for Glasgow Rangers to managing Aberdeen and Manchester United.
Never Give In is an apt title. At every stage of his career, Sir Alex had had to battle his way to the top. If you’re only familiar with his time at United, you’ll be in awe at his beginnings in Scotland.
All Or Nothing – Amazon Prime Video
Get an inside look at how legendary managers (and Mikel Arteta) Jose Mourinho and Pep Guardiola manage big games and even bigger egos at Spurs and Man City (and Arsenal).
The team results are worth watching alone. If only Sir Alex Ferguson has been part of the series…
Rumours are Newcastle are the next team to feature in the series.
Fever Pitch: Rise of the Premier League – BBC Iplayer
For some, the Premier League has always been around. But its creation in 1992 was controversial.
Fever Pitch covers the first decade and how the Premier League became the biggest in world football. There are detailed accounts of the league contenders during these formative years, interviews with the best players and what went on behind the scenes.
Gazza – BBC iPlayer
A two part series about a genius on the pitch, but largely focused on the media’s part in his mental downfall off the pitch.
The fame, media attention and awful tabloid stories are told by the people who knew him the best. It’s a really sad story of what could have been and also how the media really haven’t changed in 30 years.
The Special 1 – BT Sport
Why would anyone want to go in goal? The Special 1 talks to former goalkeepers like Shay Given, Neville Southall and David James about how they became a goalkeeper, what you need psychologically to cope with being the last line in defence and how you deal with mistakes.
They also talk about multiple hand injuries. You get to see Rob Greens gross pinky
Super Greed – Sky
We all know football is driven by huge sums of money and power. Super Greed specifically looks at the failed attempt to create a Super League, who were the major instigators and how it all ended.
Class of 92′: Full Time – Sky
See what life is like in the National League as the Neville Brothers, David Beckham, Nicky Butt, Paul Scholes and Ryan Giggs take control of Salford City.
Bonus: YouTube Clips
Legendary Last Minute Moments
