International break. Two words that make every club football fan groan. No Premier League, no La Liga, no late-night Champions League thrillers.
Just friendlies and qualifiers. But don’t worry — there’s still a way to get your football fix.
If the weekend feels empty without football, the answer is simple: movies and documentaries. The game has given us some brilliant stories, and filmmakers have turned those into unmissable screen moments.
Here are seven football documentaries and movies that deserve a place on your watchlist this week.
Sir Alex Ferguson: Never Give In
Let’s start with the godfather of modern football management. Never Give In isn’t just a documentary about Manchester United’s legendary boss — it’s a look into the making of a man who turned United into a global powerhouse.
The film dives deep into Sir Alex’s working-class Scottish roots, his relentless mindset, and even his near-death experience in 2018.
But more than that, it captures how his obsession, discipline, and vision made him arguably the greatest manager of all time.
For United fans, it’s emotional. For neutrals, it’s pure inspiration.
Diego Maradona (2019)
If football were cinema, Diego Armando Maradona would be its most unpredictable leading man. This 2019 documentary by Asif Kapadia, the Oscar-winning director behind Senna and Amy, gives you Maradona in all his glory — and all his chaos.
It focuses on his Napoli years: the genius goals, the Scudetto triumphs, the wild nights, the Mafia connections, and the eventual downfall.
It’s raw, it’s unfiltered, and it shows you why Maradona wasn’t just a footballer, but a cultural hurricane.
Green Street Hooligans
Not every football story is about what happens on the pitch. Green Street Hooligans takes you straight into the gritty, violent world of English hooligan culture in the early 2000s.
Starring Elijah Wood, it follows a young American who gets pulled into the underground firm culture surrounding West Ham United.
Brotherhood, violence, loyalty — it’s messy, it’s intense, and it’s a reminder of the darker side of football fandom. Not everyone will vibe with it, but you’ll definitely never forget it.
The Keeper
Some stories are so unbelievable you’d think they were fiction. The Keeper tells one of those.
It’s about Bert Trautmann — a German soldier in World War II who was captured in England, stayed after the war, and went on to become Manchester City’s goalkeeper.
The film’s most dramatic moment? The 1956 FA Cup Final, where Trautmann played on despite breaking his neck mid-match.
It’s part football story, part love story, and part redemption arc. One of those rare films that hits both the heart and the football brain.
The Figo Affair
Number one on this list had to be The Figo Affair. If you want pure football drama, this is it.
The documentary unpacks the most controversial transfer in history — when Luís Figo left Barcelona for arch-rivals Real Madrid in 2000.
The politics, the betrayal, Florentino Pérez’s masterplan, the infamous pig’s head at Camp Nou — everything is here.
It’s not just about one player switching clubs. It’s about how one transfer changed the entire landscape of European football, and how the Galáctico era was born.
A must-watch for anyone who loves football’s mix of sport, business, and pure theatre.
The Damned United
Based on David Peace’s novel, The Damned United is a gripping drama about Brian Clough’s infamous 44 days as Leeds United manager in 1974.
Michael Sheen’s portrayal of Clough is outstanding — cocky, charismatic, but also vulnerable.
The film gives you a deep dive into one of English football’s most fascinating characters, showing the fine line between genius and downfall. A must-watch if you love football politics, egos, and drama.
I Believe in Miracles
From disaster to destiny — I Believe in Miracles tells the jaw-dropping story of Nottingham Forest’s rise under Brian Clough.
In just a few years, Forest went from a mid-table second division side to back-to-back European champions in 1979 and 1980.
The documentary uses brilliant archive footage, ’70s soundtrack vibes, and hilarious interviews with players who still can’t believe what they achieved.
If you want a feel-good, underdog story, this one’s unbeatable.
Conclusion
International breaks may feel like a drag, but they’re also the perfect excuse to binge on football documentaries.
Whether it’s Sir Alex’s iron will, Maradona’s chaos, Trautmann’s courage, Figo’s betrayal, or Clough’s miracle — these films remind you why football is more than just a game.
Some of these movies might not be available on OTT for our Indian readers, but we got you — just click here.
