The latest UEFA Champions League final continued to produce iconic scenes watched by millions of fans across the world. The final saw Real Madrid facing off against Borussia Dortmund with more than 3.6 million viewers watching the game live. Seeing these moments play out in real-time can be an exhilarating experience for any football fan, but witnessing how these historic players got to the pinnacle of their sport can be even more fulfilling.
There have been some wonderful soccer movies over the years, with compelling narratives elevated by majestic soundtracks. Just take a look at The Other Final, which holds up well even two decades after its release. The story of two teams considered the worst international sides on the planet shows soccer at its very purest. And who doesn’t love a success story? For fans of the Champions League, here’s a list of solid titles like this worth watching!
1. First Team: Juventus (2018)
First Team: Juventus looks at the history of the titular club’s history, diving into the highs and lows of the 2017-2018 season from the eyes of the players themselves. It also serves as a touching tribute to goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon, who left Juventus after almost two decades.
This Netflix documentary series mainly follows the club’s mission to win the Serie A and the Champions League. Despite the club’s array of high-caliber players, they weren’t favorites when fans analyzed the Champions League betting lines before they faced fellow European powerhouses Real Madrid in the quarterfinals. The game was back and forth affair and finished 4-3 on aggregate to the Spanish side. The documentary unpacks the highs and the lows the Juve team goes through at the pinnacle of European soccer, and focuses on the team both on and off the pitch. It’s a wild ride for one of Italy’s most prestigious clubs.
2. Outraged (2020)
Despite soccer seeming to be diverse, many players still face discrimination because of disability, race, gender, and sexuality. The UEFA-produced Outraged looks into the lives of soccer’s most prominent players, especially those who have made a considerable impact in the Champions League, and enables them to share the personal experiences they had and still have, particularly when it comes to racism and discrimination. Sergio Canales, Paul Pogba, and Megan Rapinoe are some soccer stars who lend their voices to this documentary. UEFA made it to help improve inclusivity and positive change in the game, and it is bound to make you emotional.
3. Real Madrid: Until The End (2023)
Here’s another docu-series, this time from Apple TV+! There’s no denying the significant place Real Madrid holds in European football: They have the most Champions League titles of any club, have never been relegated from La Liga in their history, and have been home to some of the greatest players seen by the sport. Zinedine Zidane, Alfredo Di Stefano, and Cristiano Ronaldo have all been integral to the club, a hallowed lineup most recently joined by Kylian Mbappe.
Real Madrid: Until The End is an ode to that greatness, following the team’s path to the Champions League as they broke records despite major player exits. It also features the iconic moment when centre back David Alaba raised a white chair after their comeback against Paris Saint-Germain – a celebratory tradition that would be recreated by fans everywhere and carried onto subsequent seasons.
4. Zidane: A 21st Century Portrait (2006)
Fondly referred to as Zizou, Zinédine Zidane has made an irrefutable mark on and soccer history as both a player and club manager. As a coach, he was the first to win the Champions League three times. As a player, fans will never forget the quintessential volley he scored in the 2002 UEFA Champions League match between Real Madrid and Bayer Leverkusen.
Avid football fans should watch this exquisite docufilm, which dives into Zizou’s playing style in real time as 17 cameras capture his perspective during the April 23, 2005 La Liga match between Real Madrid and Villareal. The shots show his conceptual artistry and the overall result is a stunning look at a true master at work.
If you’re a soccer fan, you’ll love the 4 films and documentaries listed above! Happy watching!
