Five movies on football, how many have you watched?
By Zheng Songwu
["china"]
The World Cup is in full swing. How about getting in the mood for the World Cup with our top five football movies?
'Goal' - Textbook history of the game
Like many children around the world, the character Santiago dreams of becoming a professional football player. 
However, as a poor kid from Mexico living in the slums of Los Angeles, this is nothing but a dream until Newcastle United opened its door to him. 
Stars: Kuno Becker, Alessandro Nivola, Anna Friel.  /VCG Photo

Stars: Kuno Becker, Alessandro Nivola, Anna Friel.  /VCG Photo

Santiago could easily meet superstars like David Beckham and Alan Shearer. The training there was much more difficult than he has ever experienced. 
Facing setbacks and challenges, Santiago moves toward his dream of becoming a star player, and finally, he succeeds.
Kuno Becker stars 'Santiago Munez' in the movie. /VCG Photo

Kuno Becker stars 'Santiago Munez' in the movie. /VCG Photo

The story may seem idealistic, but it is a true portrayal of some of the best stars from poor families.
'Hooligans' - A movie about football fans 
Few people can fully understand the intense relationship between fans and their football team, neither does Matt Buckner. Matt was expelled from Harvard University as a result of cocaine in his room. 
'Hooligans,' starring Elijah Wood as Matt Bruckner. /VCG Photo

'Hooligans,' starring Elijah Wood as Matt Bruckner. /VCG Photo

Matt visits his sister in London, where he was kicked to Pete, a man in charge of the local football hooligan firm Green Street Elite by his sister's husband Steve. 
Jealous of Matt's rise in the ranks, Bovver was hostile to Matt when he discovered that Matt and Matt's father were associated with journalists that fans hated.
VCG Photo

VCG Photo

Matt was surprised to find Steve was a former GSE leader, and outside the pub, a violent confrontation between fans happens.
'Das Wunder Von Bern' - Directed by a former professional football player
Sometimes miracles do happen. Germany was still in ruins following the Second World War in 1954. The coach has a difficult time getting together 22 players in order to participate in the World Cup. Though Germany was underrated, they made it to the final. 
The German team celebrates after winning the FIFA World Cup 1954 in a final match between Hungary and Germany. /VCG Photo

The German team celebrates after winning the FIFA World Cup 1954 in a final match between Hungary and Germany. /VCG Photo

The final was nerve-racking, Helmut Rahn scored an important goal in 84 minutes led to Germany becoming the champions. 
The championship was celebrated in all of Germany as it was the first time that the Germans could watch the tournament on television and radio. 
/VCG Photo

/VCG Photo

The championship brought confidence back to Germany, and since then the country's economy began to recover like a national miracle.
'Fever Pitch' - A romantic comedy
Adapted from Nick Hornby's best-selling novel, "Fever Pitch" tells a romantic story about a male English teacher at a school in North London, a lady and a football team. 
The movie is very welcome in China. /Photo from Douban.com

The movie is very welcome in China. /Photo from Douban.com

Paul Ashworth is an English teacher and big fan of Arsenal. He never missed a game of the team for years. Paul’s long-standing obsession with Arsenal served him well until he met Sarah, another teacher in the same school.
The relationship between Paul and Sarah developed in tandem with Arsenal's roller coaster fortunes in the football association. Unfortunately, Paul was so obsessed in Arsenal that he was even there for Sarah during her pregnancy. 
'Maradona by Kusturica' - A documentary about Maradona
Diego Maradona /VCG Photo

Diego Maradona /VCG Photo

Recognized by many as the world's greatest football player, Diego Maradona, Argentine retired professional footballer, in a sense was a controversial athlete. 
You may know he took drugs, drank alcohol, got “the hand of God” and his tremendous football skills, but you probably don't know much else. To learn more about him, this film is perfect for you.