Not sure when it started, but we are clearly entering a new, glorious era of soccer films.
It starts with Neflix’s three-part series Neymar: The Perfect Chaos, which comes out January 25. It looks wildly entertaining. Check out the trailer.
But Neymaring & chilling is just the start of a soccer-film cornucopia coming soon.
DaZN, the global live streaming platform, is launching a new original production studio, and soccer films are at the center of their strategy. They have three documentaries in the works.
Maradona: The Fall will explore football legend Diego Maradona’s fall from grace following a failed drug test during the 1994 World Cup. Angus MacQueen, who helmed Netflix’s Maradona in Mexico, will direct.
Green Lions tells the story of Cameroon at the 1990 World Cup, where Roger Milla & Co. upset Argentina in the opening match and became darlings of the tournament.
Ronnie explores the redemption of (the original) Ronaldo in the wake of the mysterious 1998 World Cup final.
Amazon’s Prime Video Latam gets into the action on January 28 with the release of Mi Selección Colombia, an all-access series with los Cafeteros in the run-up to the 2022 World Cup that also delves into the national team’s colorful history. No idea if/when it might be available with English subtitles in the US.
Fun fact: The six-part series is narrated by reggaeton star Maluma.
Staying in Latin America, HBO Max will release later this year Romário, o Cara, a series about the Brazilian legend who helped the Selecao win the 1994 World Cup. The former World Footballer of the Year scored goals for Barcelona, PSV, and several Brazilian clubs. He is now a state senator for Rio de Janeiro.