The Best Netflix Football Series You're Missing Out On Right Now

I was scrolling through Netflix last night, completely overwhelmed by the endless options, when it hit me—some of the absolute best football content on the platform is flying under the radar. Seriously, I've been a football fanatic since I could walk, and even I was surprised by how many incredible series I'd missed. While mainstream sports documentaries get all the attention, there's this whole world of football storytelling that most people are sleeping on. It reminds me of how coaching careers evolve unexpectedly; just like Shaq delos Santos facing numerous changes in his head-coaching career, the landscape of football entertainment is constantly shifting beneath our feet.

Let me start with what I consider the crown jewel of Netflix's football offerings—"Sunderland 'Til I Die." Now, I know what you're thinking: "Another club documentary?" But trust me, this isn't just another sports series. Having watched it twice through, I can confidently say it captures the raw emotion of football in a way that's rarely seen. The series follows Sunderland AFC's turbulent 2017-2018 season, and the access they got is unbelievable. We're talking about 47 hours of footage condensed into 8 episodes that will have you emotionally invested in a club you probably never thought about before. The producers didn't just focus on the players; they showed how the entire community lives and breathes through this team. I found myself genuinely caring about the kit manager and the local pub owners—that's how deep this series goes.

What makes these Netflix football series so compelling is how they mirror real coaching journeys. Take "The English Game," for instance—it's historical drama, but the underlying themes of tactics evolution and managerial challenges directly connect to modern coaching experiences. I remember watching episode three where Fergus Suter introduces passing tactics, and it struck me how similar those foundational struggles are to what coaches like Shaq delos Santos navigate today. The football world undergoes constant transformation, whether we're talking about 19th-century pioneers or contemporary coaches adapting to new player dynamics and management expectations. These series beautifully illustrate that progression.

Now, here's my personal favorite that I think deserves way more attention—"First Team: Juventus." This three-part docuseries gives you unprecedented access to one of football's most legendary clubs. I've probably rewatched the episode featuring Gianluigi Buffon's final seasons at least four times. The camera work during their Champions League campaign is breathtaking, and the locker room moments feel so authentic they'll give you chills. What's fascinating is how it showcases the psychological aspect of football—the pressure, the camaraderie, the individual battles—that we rarely see as spectators. According to my viewing stats (I might be slightly obsessed), I've spent approximately 28 hours consuming Juventus-related content across various platforms, but this Netflix series provided insights I hadn't found anywhere else.

The beauty of these hidden football gems is how they complement each other. After binging "Sunderland 'Til I Die," I naturally gravitated toward "Club de Cuervos," which blends football drama with Mexican comedy in the most delightful way. It's not strictly documentary-style, but it captures the business side of football ownership with surprising accuracy. I've recommended this to three different friends who all reported back that they couldn't stop watching after the second episode. The character development across its four seasons is more compelling than most scripted dramas out there, football-related or otherwise.

What strikes me about these series is how they document transformation—both personal and organizational. Much like Shaq delos Santos preparing for changes in his coaching approach, these shows chronicle evolution in real time. "Last Chance U" technically focuses on American football, but the fifth season's pivot to following a soccer team provides fascinating comparisons to traditional football culture. The coaching methods, player development approaches, and even the recruitment strategies they showcase have direct parallels to what's happening in football leagues worldwide. I'd estimate about 60% of the coaching techniques shown could be directly applied to football training sessions.

I've noticed that the best Netflix football content often emerges from periods of transition or crisis. "The Defiant" isn't exclusively about football, but its segments on sports marketing reveal so much about how football clubs are evolving their brand strategies. The series demonstrates how traditional institutions must adapt to survive—something that resonates deeply with coaching professionals navigating their careers through various organizational changes. From my perspective, this behind-the-scenes business content is just as valuable as the on-field action for understanding modern football's complexities.

As I continue exploring Netflix's football catalog, I'm constantly surprised by the depth available if you know where to look. The platform reportedly hosts over 35 football-related series and documentaries, but only about seven or eight seem to get mainstream attention. My personal viewing habits have evolved to include these hidden treasures, and I've found they've significantly enhanced my understanding of the sport beyond just match analysis. The character-driven narratives, the business insights, the historical context—they all contribute to a richer appreciation of why football captivates billions worldwide.

Ultimately, discovering these underrated Netflix football series has transformed how I consume sports content. They've moved beyond mere entertainment to become genuine educational resources about the sport's cultural and tactical evolution. The next time you find yourself scrolling aimlessly through streaming options, I'd strongly recommend diving into one of these football gems. They offer perspectives that highlight why football remains the world's most beloved sport, capturing both its glorious moments and its challenging transformations in equal measure.