Lately we’ve been spoiled for choice with live sport, there’s been top class boxing, pulsating rugby, dramatic F1 and of course relentless action from the Premier League. But there’s also been plenty to enjoy away from the live action too, with the release of some top notch sport documentaries. Here’s our pick of the best to get stuck into this weekend...
My Name Is Francesco Totti - Sky Documentaries
We all love Francesco Totti. For those of us of a certain age the man is synonymous with Italian football during the late 90s, when Serie A was universally considered the best league in the world. After 25 seasons at Roma, despite big offers from Real Madrid and Manchester United, Totti is the ultimate one club man, dedicating his whole life and career to I Giallorossi, but this documentary lets you see the man behind the professional.
Loosely based on Totti’s own book, this enthralling watch shows his entire career, through the goals, the injuries and the personal moments. The World Cup winner will make your bottom lip tremble as he says a tearful goodbye to Roma and the fans that adore him. Watch this for some serious nostalgia.
Anton Ferdinand: Football, Racism and Me - BBC iPlayer
Back in 2011 Anton Ferdinand was the target of online trolls, after then England captain John Terry was filmed using racist language against him. An independent disciplinary panel found Terry guilty and he lost the England captaincy, but for Ferdinand, who stayed quiet throughout the ordeal, it was even tougher.
“I felt like a criminal at times” he says in the documentary, which reveals how tough the incident was on the QPR player. Terry was banned for four matches, fined £220k and lost the captaincy, but in a court of law, he was found not guilty as the judge couldn’t prove beyond reasonable doubt that the words were spoken abusively. Ferdinand went through the ringer while that case was being decided and this hard-hitting documentary portrays the ugly side of football, while also highlighting how online abuse can affect high-profile players. An important watch.
Break Point: A Davis Cup Story - Rakuten
A tennis documentary featuring the finest players in the world. What’s not to love? This focuses on the 2019 Davis Cup where Spain beat Canada in the final but the real story unfolded behind the scenes, which luckily enough for us is exactly what this documentary covers.
It tells the story of the stress, drama and passion behind every game, coming live from Madrid with fans in attendance (how strange does that seem now!). With Rafa Nadal spearheading the home side and Denis Shapovalov captaining the Canadians, this really does bring tennis to life and take you inside the locker room. Tennis documentaries are few and far between, so this is refreshing.
We Are The Champions - Netflix
This is Netflix at its finest. The ‘We Are The Champions’ series covers some of the maddest sports from frog-jumping to dog-dancing, but the episode we want to focus on is the very first. Cheese Rolling.
Cooper’s Hill in Gloucestershire is home to one of the most insane sporting events on the planet, as competitors launch themselves, pretty violently, down the hill in pursuit of a wheel of cheese. People travel round the world to have a crack at this batshit crazy event, which includes an entire rugby team to stop competitors in their tracks at the bottom of the steep hill.
Honestly, anyone from your nan to your children can watch this doc and love it. Netflix smash it yet again.
Maradona - 4OD
The unfortunate passing of the legend that is Diego Maradona spread immeasurable sadness and remembrance around the world, but amid all the sadness, there were people reminiscing on his brilliance and not only that, a younger generation learning about him for the first time.
For all the goals, skills and off the field action, the best summary of him as a footballer and a man, is Maradona, the two hour long film which shows him exactly as he was. Loved in Naples, adored in Argentina, revered by opponents. Honestly, if you find yourself at a loose end this weekend, give this a watch. In memory of Diego.
