Football is played and followed on practically every continent, and its following continues growing. Whether you support Lionel Messi in the MLS, the legendary Santos in Brazil, or one of the great European teams like Real Madrid, Liverpool, Bayern Munich, or Juventus, there’s always somewhere to participate in, watch, or bet on football games.

As the world’s most followed sport, football has captured the hearts of supporters across the globe. From informal kickabouts in parks and side streets to attending pro matches in stadia that seat tens of thousands of fans to betting on outcomes and individual markets through online sportsbooks offered by Techopedia, finding joy in the Beautiful Game has become a pastime enjoyed by millions. 

As Jamie Wright explains: “Football is undoubtedly the most popular sport among Singaporeans. As well as the national league, the Singapore Premier League, bettors also keep an eye on domestic competitions throughout Asia. That said, these are nowhere near as popular as the Premier League, La Liga, the Bundesliga, and other major European leagues.”

Fortunately, those European markets are all accessible, and as football betting brings interest in the sport to a whole new category of supporters, so have football movies inspired fans to consider forms of active involvement in football from a less traditional angle. 

The iconic sporting activity has inspired some captivating stories on the silver screen, from dramatic victories to tales of perseverance and friendship, leaving an enduring mark on worldwide audiences through the ages. We’ll celebrate the impact that five of these have made on viewers across generations, contributing to the international popularity of the beautiful game from a different angle.

Bend It Like Beckham, directed by Gurinder Chadha and starring international stars like Keira Knightley and Jonathan Rhys Meyers, was a breakthrough movie role for young English actress Parminder Nagra. It is a heartwarming coming-of-age story following the journey of Jess, a young British-Indian girl with a passion for football. 

Despite family pressure and cultural expectations, Jess pursues her dreams of playing football professionally. With her coach’s help and the support of her best friend and teammate, Jess finds her adolescent identity while honing her on-field skills. “Bend It Like Beckham” conveys a powerful message of self-discovery and has inspired many young girls to take up football ever since.

Goal!: The Dream Begins stars the talented Mexican actor Kuno Becker as Santiago Munez, a young immigrant in Los Angeles. Directed by Danny Cannon, the movie follows Santiago’s journey as he tries out for Newcastle United in England. The young Mexican faces challenges on and off the pitch, learning important lessons in the powers of friendship, perseverance and the value of never giving up. 

The movie’s success has prompted two sequels, all featuring cameos by famous footballers. Like ‘Bend It Like Beckham”, the “Goal” franchise has inspired many aspiring footballers to intensify their efforts in pursuing their dreams. “Goal!: The Dream Begins” is a tale of hope and determination that resonates with football fans and dreamers alike.

Director Stephen Chow’s Shaolin Soccer is an imaginative fusion of martial arts action and soccer hijinks. The film follows Sing, a former Shaolin monk played by Chow himself,  who dreams of spreading Kung Fu teachings through football’s beautiful game of soccer. 

Assisted by his ragtag band of martial arts enthusiasts, Sing begins a quest to win the prestigious Open Cup football tournament while showcasing his specific brand of Shaolin soccer to the world. “Shaolin Soccer” is jam-packed with special effects, action sequences and slapstick humour, inspiring martial arts and football fans with its story of perseverance, teamwork, and the power of the human spirit.

In Escape to Victory, director John Huston expertly blends football drama with the Nazi propaganda in World War II to bring viewers one of the most enigmatic sports movies of all time. Against the backdrop of a German prisoner-of-war camp, the motion picture stars an ensemble cast including Hollywood heavyweights Sylvester Stallone and Michael Caine and former FIFA World Cup winners Pelé, Bobby Moore and Osvaldo Ardiles.

They all form part of a group of Allied prisoners who agree to play a football match against a German team – designed as a propaganda stunt for the Nazis. As the match unfolds, the prisoners take their chance to orchestrate an impromptu escape attempt, with the game providing cover for their audacious plan. “Escape to Victory” is an inspiring tale of camaraderie, courage and human spirit.

Green Street Hooligans, directed by Lexi Alexander and starring Elijah Wood, Charlie Hunnam and Claire Forlani, differs substantially from the other movies we’ve profiled. It offers a gripping look into football hooliganism, with Wood portraying an American student drawn into the gritty underworld of English football firms. 

Alexander skillfully navigates the line between the darker side of football fandom’s glorification of violence and the culture’s complex dynamics of identity, loyalty and fellowship. Hunnam, as the charismatic leader of the Green Street Elite, adds depth and authenticity to the film. “Green Street Hooligans” is a captivating drama offering a thought-provoking exploration of football’s violent side.