Beyond the goals, the trophies, and the transfers, this year has delivered some truly compelling stories from the world of football media. Here, we round up 10 of the best documentaries and books from 2024.
Today, there are more ways than ever to take in what the beautiful game has to offer. Away from the stadiums you have documentaries, podcasts, books, art expos… Whether through a lens or on the page, the game has been dissected, celebrated, and critiqued in ways that challenge how we understand its place in society. With Christmas right around the corner, you might be wracking your brains for a last minute gift for a football-fan friend, or equally, you might have already had enough of all of the Christmas songs and movies and are looking for something to take your mind off of all the tinsel and turkey. Either way, you’ve come to the right place, because here, we’ve rounded up the must-watch documentaries and must-read books that defined the year, from deep dives into historic clubs to the personal tales of icons.
Copa 71 – Netflix
This Serena and Venus Williams-produced documentary revisits the forgotten 1971 unofficial Women’s World Cup. Despite FIFA’s absence, it saw packed stadiums and 116,000 fans at the final. Players recall a feminist fever dream in a chauvinistic era, though their achievements were erased—until now.
99 – Prime
Prime’s three-part miniseries, 99, dives into Manchester United’s iconic treble-winning season. With fresh insights from players, Sir Alex Ferguson, and execs, it redefines the era’s narrative, shedding light on team dynamics and the squad’s bond with their manager and city. As much for the neutrals as it is for United fans thanks to the pure story.
Together: Treble Winners – Netflix
Anything you can do, we can do better? Why not follow up United's treble success of '99 with their noisy neighbour's equally impressive feat? Of course, Prime had a crack at City with their 'All or Nothing' series, but Netflix hit the jackpot by getting coverage of their treble-winning campaign. So sit back and check out the six-part series chronicling Pep's boys in the 22/23 season.
How To Win The Premier League – Ian Graham
For anyone curious about football’s data revolution, this book is a must-read. It uncovers how a data-driven approach has powered Premier League success over the last decade, with insights into the models shaping elite clubs. Award-winning writer Daniel Finkelstein calls it ‘the best book on football’ he’s read. Not sure it's as good as Roy of the Rovers, but it is right up there.
Transformer: Klopp, The Revolution of a Club and Culture – Neil Atkinson
Guarantee that 12 months ago, no one predicted that Klopp would leave Liverpool. In this book, written for Reds by a Red, author Neil Atkinson, host of The Anfield Wrap podcast, structures the narrative around nineteen notable games in Klopp's Liverpool career. Atkinson expertly weaves the personal and the political into this retelling of one of football's most improbable journeys, turning doubters into believers.
FC Barcelona: A New Era – Prime
Team documentaries are a dime a dozen these days, and there’s something slightly lacking when you already know how it all pans out. But this one is Barcelona, one of the greatest clubs in the history of the game; a club that has produced some of the game’s greats through its world-famous La Masia academy. Makes this one worth a watch.
Black Arsenal – Dr Clive Chijioke Nwonka & Matthew Harle
Arsenal’s legacy as a multicultural symbol is explored in Black Arsenal, edited by Clive Chijioke Nwonka and Matthew Harle. This groundbreaking work celebrates the club’s ties to Black British culture across football, fashion, music, and politics, featuring voices like Musa Okwonga and Baroness Lola Young in a must-read tribute. If you want to find out more about what we thought of it, check out our full review here.
Sven Göran Eriksson: A Beautiful Game – Sven-Göran Eriksson, Bengt Berg
2024 saw the final whistle blown on Sven-Göran Eriksson’s time in this world. A Beautiful Game is his final team talk, and but it's far more than just the tale of a successful football manager; it's the story of the biggest game of all – what makes a good life. Eriksson's parting reflections take us on an emotional journey from Sweden’s small clubs to football’s global stage. Sharing lessons on life, leadership, and love, he candidly recounts triumphs and failures, leaving an indelible mark on the game and revealing the man behind the manager. A legacy like no other.
Are We Allowed To Just Dream – LadderBoyz
Are We Allowed to Just Dream? dives into the layered beauty of football across five themes: beauty, gift, imagination, action, and celebration. With stunning imagery and untold stories of football’s unsung heroes, it’s a visual journey that celebrates the game’s talent, creativity, and universal appeal.
Under The Tongue: An adidas Predator Story – YouTube
Saving the best for last? Yeah, go on then. Under The Tongue is our very own documentary and love letter to the Predator football boot, produced for adidas as the final flourish in what is the 30th anniversary of the boot. With insights from players, both past and present, senior adidas executives, design team members and notable fans, the documentary examines how a unique blend of industry-leading innovation, culture-defining design, unrivalled star power and timing all combined to create a boot that would fundamentally change the trajectory of the football boot industry and have a transformative impact on adidas as a business.
Oh, and we produced a book to go with it. Count it as a bonus for this list – Christmas after all. You can check it out in digital format here.
Already looking forward to what 2025 has in store...
