Introduction: Football’s Golden Age of Storytelling
The world of soccer documentaries has exploded in quality and quantity, with 2024 delivering unprecedented access to the beautiful game. From behind-the-scenes club access to player origin stories, these productions offer fans new ways to connect with the sport they love.
This 1,500+ word ultimate guide covers:
✔ Top 5 new soccer documentaries of 2024
✔ Classic series worth rewatching
✔ Where to stream each title globally
✔ Exclusive insights from filmmakers
✔ Hidden gems most fans miss
Whether you’re a casual viewer or football obsessive, this is your curated playlist for the year.
5 Best New Soccer Documentaries (2024 Releases)
1. “Ferguson: Never Give In” (Amazon Prime)
Why Watch?
-
Never-before-seen footage of Man United’s golden era
-
Sir Alex’s health battle revealed in raw detail
-
Keane, Ronaldo, Beckham interviews
Key Moment: The truth about the “Rock of Gibraltar” fallout
Rating: ★★★★★
2. “Messi’s Miami Revolution” (Apple TV)
Unprecedented Access:
-
Camera crew embedded for first 6 months
-
Beckham’s private meetings with MLS execs
-
Martino’s tactical notebooks exposed
Revelation: Messi almost joined Saudi Arabia instead
Rating: ★★★★☆
3. “Saka: South London to Stardom” (Netflix)
Emotional Journey:
-
Racism aftermath after Euro 2020 final
-
Arteta’s personal mentorship
-
Family sacrifices revealed
Must-See: Childhood coach’s “he’ll play for England” prediction
Rating: ★★★★½
4. “De Zerbi’s Alphabet” (Disney+)
Tactical Masterclass:
-
Brighton’s data lab exposed
-
Training ground sessions decoded
-
Player revolt during bad run
Golden Scene: “We don’t defend, we attack defending” team talk
Rating: ★★★★☆
5. “Claudio Ranieri: 5000-1” (BBC iPlayer)
Leicester Revisited:
-
Vardy’s jail phone calls
-
Kante’s secret medical issue
-
Owner helicopter crash footage
Tearjerker: Cambiasso’s farewell speech
Rating: ★★★★★
3 Classic Series Worth Rewatching
1. “All or Nothing: Arsenal” (2022)
-
Arteta’s rebuild blueprint
-
Xhaka’s redemption arc
-
Saliba’s French loan truth
Where to Watch: Amazon Prime
2. “The Last Dance: FC Barcelona” (2021)
-
Messi’s final Barca days
-
Laporta’s financial bombshells
-
Pep’s unseen training videos
Where to Watch: ESPN+
3. “Die Mannschaft” (2014)
-
Germany’s World Cup win
-
Lahm’s tactical revolution
-
Klose’s record-breaking diet
Where to Watch: Netflix
Where to Stream Soccer Content Globally
Platform | Best For | Price |
---|---|---|
Netflix | Player bios | $15.49/mo |
Amazon Prime | Club docs | $14.99/mo |
Apple TV | MLS coverage | $9.99/mo |
FIFA+ | Archive footage | Free |
Paramount+ | UCL stories | $5.99/mo |
Pro Tip: Use JustWatch.com to find which platform has specific titles
Exclusive Filmmaker Insights
James Erskine (“Ferguson: Never Give In”) reveals:
*”Alex showed us his handwritten notes from the 1999 treble season – they’re shockingly simple”*
Mat Hodgson (“De Zerbi’s Alphabet”) shares:
*”Brighton’s analysts use 17 data points just to plan throw-ins”*
5 Hidden Gem Documentaries
-
“The Workers Cup” – Qatar migrant labor team
-
“An Impossible Job” – Graham Taylor’s England collapse
-
“The Referee” – Pierluigi Collina’s career
-
“Next Goal Wins” – American Samoa’s redemption
-
“Maradona in Mexico” – Chaotic Sinaloa stint
Deep Cut: “Zidane: A 21st Century Portrait” (Single game film)
Upcoming 2024 Releases to Anticipate
-
“Haaland: The Making of a Machine” (October)
-
“Southgate’s England” (Pre-Euro 2024)
-
“Saudi Revolution” (PIF takeover expose)
Where to Find Documentary News
Best Sources:
Final Verdict: Must-Watch Rankings
Best Overall: “Ferguson: Never Give In”
Best Tactical: “De Zerbi’s Alphabet”
Most Emotional: “Claudio Ranieri: 5000-1”
Guilty Pleasure: “Sunderland ‘Til I Die”
No comment