From 'The Damned United' to 'Goal' - take a look at best football movies

The love, passion, grandiose and magnanimity that football reflects is not only unique to the game, but also hard to match off the field.
The game that has seen some of the biggest sportspersons in the world on the greens is a phenomenon in itself. And as the world celebrates the spirit of FIFA World Cup 2014, here's taking a look at some of the best footie films made both in Hollywood and Bollywood, that have captured the quintessential spirit of the game and brought it alive on the big screen.
The Damned United(2009) Considered to be one of the most critically acclaimed soccer films, The Damned United tells the story of Brian Clough's ill-fated tenure as football manager of Leeds United in 1974.Though various parts of the film have been fictionalized, the realistic treatment of the film touches the chord with soccer fans and movie buffs alike.
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The Goal Triology(2005 2009) What started with the beginning of a dream, went on to become a three film franchise. The films that featured various popular soccer stars like David Beckham, Zinedine Zidane, Ronaldinho, Alan Shearer, and Steven Gerrard, traced the meteoric rise of a Mexican gardener who was an illegal immigrant to the US.
The Game Of Their Lives (2005) Starring Gerard Butler and based on on the book of the same title by Geoffrey Douglas, the film is the true story of a US soccer team of the 50's, mainly comprising underdogs, that went on to defeat England during the World Cup in Brazil. Though the film was marred by various historical inaccuracies, the inspirational screenplay won hearts.
Bend It Like Beckham (2002) This critically acclaimed Indian English film by an Indian filmmaker Gurinder Chadha, starring Keira Knightly and Parmindar Nagra in the lead roles, touched every Indian's heart in a way that not many films have done.
Dhan Dhana Dhan Goal (2007) John Abraham's stint as a sportsman in Bollywood pretty much started with this film. Though the film didn't create a lot of buzz at the BO, this flick co-starring Arshad-WarsiBoman Irani and Bipasha Basu was appreciated in parts. A league of ordinary men in racist UK taking on an army of professional footballers had all the elements that would tug the heartstrings of all sports lovers.
Saheb (1985) The film not only hit the bull's eye with Bappida's foot tapping music, but also Anil Kapoor's convincing act as a footballer, who gives up his dreams for his family. Though love and family values remain at the heart of the film, football does have a strong presence as well.
Hip Hip Hurray (1984) Not many know about this 1984 Prakash Jha movie starring Raj Kiran and Deepti Naval, but the movie shot in Ranchi was surely worth a watch for those who love the game. It's a film that beautifully portrays the struggles of a computer engineer, who lands up as a football coach in a school just to get his first job, and how he falls in love with the game and takes his team to victory .
HollywoodEscape To Victory (1981) Films based on prisoners of the war create enough drama themselves. But this one had a soccer match being played between the prisoners and the jail authorities. With Sylvester Stallone and Pele matching foot to foot in trying to win against their opponents and their freedom, the film makes for a great watch.
Watch: The Damned United Trailer