With the opening of the World Cup, the world has gone into a soccer frenzy. Even we Americans, who usually ignore soccer for sports that we dominate, have alarms set for the USA vs. England match. Many of us have even learned the names of up to three players on the US team! With all this soccer excitement, it is the perfect time to look back on some great soccer movies. Soccer movies, like most sports movies, can be tremendously inspirational and entertaining, and these are some of the best.
When it comes to inspirational movies, it doesn’t get much better than Goal! The Dream Begins. This movie follows a young Mexican boy as his family first crosses the border into America and then as he is discovered for his great soccer talent. Not only is it awesome to see a young man’s dreams come true, but the game play scenes are phenomenal.
Bend it Like Beckham is an example of how the world’s game can help people overcome racial differences. Jess is a young Indian woman who loves soccer, unfortunately her parents are very traditional and won’t allow her to play. Being a rebellious teenager, she goes behind their backs and joins a team anyways. When she has success with the sport, her parents come around. It just goes to prove that everybody loves a winner.
Victory
Sylvester Stallone is best known for taking down the Soviets in Rocky. A little known fact is that he also took down the Nazis, this time in soccer rather than boxing. Co-Star and soccer great Pele assures the allied soldier’s victory against the Nazis in a soccer match, while Stallone ensures the soldiers’ escape.
Shaolin Soccer
When it comes to pure entertainment, Shaolin Soccer is one of the greatest sports movies ever. It mixes martial arts, soccer, and ridiculous special effects to create a movie that features some of the most outrageous action to ever be seen on the pitch. Anytime a movie features players who can kick a soccer ball through brick walls, you know you’re in for a good time.
The Cup
The Cup is the story of a group of young Tibetan boys who search for a television on which to watch the 1998 World Cup. What could be a better way to spend your time while not watching the World Cup than watching a movie about watching the World Cup? If you are looking for a feel-good movie about soccer, The Cup is where it’s at.
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