Opinion: 6 soccer documentaries you need to watch this fall
Various streaming services have provided plenty of content this fall
We interrupt the very busy start of the European season to say you need to watch even more soccer.
But colder days also means more indoor time. What better way to spend that time than watching new soccer documentaries that have been released in recent months.
Here are six documentaries you need to watch this fall:
6. Beckham
Here’s you chance to binge it on Beckham. A new Netflix docuseries, out on Oct. 4, goes back in time with a look at David Beckham’s rise to global stardom. With Oscar-winning director Fisher Stevens and Oscar-winning producer John Battsek at the helm, the four-part series is a deep dive into both the professional and personal regarding the England star.
The series goes back to Beckham’s start, using home videos and interviews, at Manchester United, rise as an athlete and celebrity and including his time with Real Madrid and later in MLS with the Los Angeles Galaxy.
5. Moments
The much-anticipated release of the official film of the 2023 Women’s World Cup 2023, streaming on FIFA+, aims to recreate the energy and excitement from this summer’s tournament won by Spain.
From Colombia’s dramatic last-minute win against Germany to Sarina Bolden’s scoring the first goal for the Philippines in tournament history, “Moments” is both aptly named and a wonderful review of what many consider the best women’s soccer tournament ever.
4. We Are Newcastle United
This Amazon Prime documentary focuses on Newcastle United, one of England's most traditional top-tier clubs famous for having one of the best stadium atmospheres in the country.
It wasn’t that long ago that Newcastle languished in the Premier League relegation zone. Following the controversial takeover by the Public Investment Fund of Saudi Arabia, the feel-good factor has returned to St James’ Park. This all-access look at the club captures the players and team officials in a never-before-seen light.
3. Football Must Go On
Follow the psychological and physical developments of Ukrainian club Shakhtar Donetsk as they participate in the 2022-2023 Champions League against the backdrop of the war with Russia.
“Football Must Go On” is part of Paramount+’s “Stories from the Beautiful Game” documentary collection, which also includes “Destination: European Nights” and “Sir Alex Ferguson: Never Give In,” which was nominated for an Emmy.
2. Destination: European Nights
A second UCL series makes the list. As mentioned, “Destination; European Nights” is worth a look. The five-part series follows journalist Guillem Balague’s path through Europe during the 2022-23 Champions League.
Balague, an award-winning journalist and CBS Sports analyst, traveled across the continent for UCL matches and this series offers an exclusive and intimate look at the world's greatest club competition.
1. All or Nothing: Die Nationalmannschaft in Katar
The “All or Nothing” series on Amazon Prime is an annual event. This year’s installation doesn’t focus on a club side, but instead on Germany’s embattled national team at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
Turns out that World Cup gloom does make for great viewing. Given Germany’s latest series of issues, this series may be about what happened nearly a year ago — but it also turns out to be as timely as ever.
You know Germany is heading towards disaster. Nonetheless, like a train wreck, you can’t turn away. That’s what makes this series a must-watch this fall.