Lesson 5: Football English Blog
Lesson 5: Football English Blog
Our weekly Football English Blog is when we write about something connected to the world of football and teach you lots of football English. This week we are discussing films about football and footballers in the movies. Do you know any good football movies? Do footballers make good actors?
In all of our Football English blogs, we look at something connected to the world of football and ask you to do three things:
- Read the article and look at the words in red. Think about what these words mean.
- Do the quiz at the end of the article. This quiz checks your understanding of the football English in the article.
- Answer the questions and give your opinion in the comments section.
This is our latest Football English Blog and this week we're talking about the connection between football and films.
Football and the Movies!
Football and films have a lot in common. In lesson three, our weekly podcast, we asked you to connect football and films and we’ve already had lots of interesting answers on these pages. Pacosaez from Spain said that players are like actors and the pitch is like the scenery, Ahmed Adam Mamado from Sudan said both footballers and actors are superstars and both football and film is a popular topic to speak about. But, our favourite comment was from Baktislam from Indonesia. Baktislam said that both football and films are created for our entertainment, but both can disappoint you, both can make you cry and both can make you very, very happy!
Footballers in films
The most famous example of a footballer who became an actor is probably Vinnie Jones. Jones played nearly four hundred times in the top division for Wimbledon, Chelsea, Sheffield United and Leeds United. However, he is probably more famous for his acting career. Jones was known as a tough-tackling midfielder in his playing days and he successfully moved this image to the big screen where he is often typecast as a hard man, playing the roles of criminals, henchmen and thugs. Jones has often starred in gangster films some notable examples are Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels and Snatch with Brad Pitt. More surprisingly, Jones was also the voice of Freddie the Dog in Madagascar 3! Jones has nearly 100 film and TV credits in total.
Vinnie Jones is not the only ex-footballer to make the step from the pitch to the screen. The ex-Manchester Utd star, Eric Cantona, was the topic of a feature-length movie called Looking for Eric which was directed by Ken Loach, one of the UK’s most famous directors. Cantona also starred alongside Cate Blanchett in the period drama, Elizabeth and has starred in many more movies in both English and French. David Beckham is another footballer who has had his name in the title of a film. Bend it Like Beckham is a romantic-comedy, but Beckham does not star in the film; he just has a bit part near the end.
Football Films
There have been many films about football. The Goal! trilogy follows a Mexican immigrant living in the USA to the Premier League, Real Madrid and the World Cup! However, film critics didn’t enjoy the film and it only got 44% on the film review website Rotten Tomatoes. The website stated that the first instalment of the trilogy was:
A run-of-the-mill story which invokes every known sports movie cliché.
A more popular film with the critics was The Two Escobars which is a film that football fans and non-football fans will enjoy. A documentary that tells a true story about football, drugs, crime and politics in Colombia in the early 1990s. One reviewer on the IMDb review website said:
Simply a perfect and compelling documentary.
Do you know any good or bad films about football?
Quiz
Please login to take this quiz.
Comment
What do you think?
Can you think of any other footballers that have starred in films? Do you like films about football or sports?
Do you understand all the words in red?
Look at the comments from the movie websites above. Write one sentence about a film that you like and one sentence about a film that you didn't like. The film doesn't have to be about football!
Look at the movie websites Rotten Tomatoes and IMDb to help you!
Write your answers in the comments section below and try to write a reply to at least one other learner!
When you have finished, mark the page complete on the side of this page and go to lesson six.
Leave a comment
Log in to leave a comment
Comments
16/05/2023
points
I understand all of the words in red, exept "typecast".
16/05/2023 10:02
AFC Bournemouth
20
I understand all of the words in red, exept "typecast".
04/03/2021
points
I understand all the words in red.
I can't remember seeing any films about football, but I would like to see Bend it Like Beckham.
I like Avatar. Pandora is a brethtakingly beautiful place and the message of the film is inspiring and edifying.
I don't like all films containing violence, pain and distress. I don't understand why I should watch things like this in films.
04/03/2021 20:19
Chelsea
93
I understand all the words in red.
I can't remember seeing any films about football, but I would like to see Bend it Like Beckham.
I like Avatar. Pandora is a brethtakingly beautiful place and the message of the film is inspiring and edifying.
I don't like all films containing violence, pain and distress. I don't understand why I should watch things like this in films.
22/01/2021
points
I really love the Harry Potter franchise, both books, and movies! Aquaman, on the other hand (and the DC universe in general), is a movie that I dislike. The humor just isn't really my cup of tea.
22/01/2021 10:39
Arsenal
85
I really love the Harry Potter franchise, both books, and movies! Aquaman, on the other hand (and the DC universe in general), is a movie that I dislike. The humor just isn't really my cup of tea.
15/07/2020
points
I like films about football or sports. "Eddie the Eagle" was the best movie I 've ever watched about sports.
Many of them are familiar words.
I am dissapointed when watch a movie called "Chessplayer" main character was fond of money and irritating. There was no fairness.
15/07/2020 17:59
Tottenham Hotspur
5550
I like films about football or sports. "Eddie the Eagle" was the best movie I 've ever watched about sports.
Many of them are familiar words.
I am dissapointed when watch a movie called "Chessplayer" main character was fond of money and irritating. There was no fairness.
18/09/2019
points
i like movies, specialy horror movies, but movies about football i watched just one, called the goal, and i'm always see imdb site to get some informations about movies.
18/09/2019 13:34
Manchester United
196
i like movies, specialy horror movies, but movies about football i watched just one, called the goal, and i'm always see imdb site to get some informations about movies.
27/06/2019
points
I love sport and films about sport are my favourite. Not long ago I watch ed Russian film about football players but women. It was called in russian translation - men's women play. It was a comedy. One building company had to organise football team from women to play a match and to win in competition . THose team who will have won have a right and money to build a big stadium. T hat crasy idea came to mind of their customer who was rich and had a passion to football and women.
27/06/2019 14:04
Arsenal
243
I love sport and films about sport are my favourite. Not long ago I watch ed Russian film about football players but women. It was called in russian translation - men's women play. It was a comedy. One building company had to organise football team from women to play a match and to win in competition . THose team who will have won have a right and money to build a big stadium. T hat crasy idea came to mind of their customer who was rich and had a passion to football and women.
18/09/2019
points
that was good
18/09/2019 13:36
Manchester United
196
that was good
27/11/2018
points
Yes, I love movies related to football. I had seen Green Street Hooligans, and I think it's a good movie for football fans. This film shows the groups of English hooligans and specifically the followers of West Ham, and their "daily life".
27/11/2018 17:15
Tottenham Hotspur
312
Yes, I love movies related to football. I had seen Green Street Hooligans, and I think it's a good movie for football fans. This film shows the groups of English hooligans and specifically the followers of West Ham, and their "daily life".
26/11/2018
points
1. Yes, I like soccer movies
2. I do not know about soccer players who became actors but other athletes did
26/11/2018 20:14
Liverpool
57
1. Yes, I like soccer movies
2. I do not know about soccer players who became actors but other athletes did
06/09/2018
points
Em, I do not know
Yes, I like movies about soccer and sports a lot and I like to see them next
06/09/2018 02:33
Arsenal
571
Em, I do not know
Yes, I like movies about soccer and sports a lot and I like to see them next
03/09/2018
points
Yes, I like soccer movies
03/09/2018 01:40
Manchester United
151
Yes, I like soccer movies
30/08/2018
points
Yes, I like movies that have to do with football.
30/08/2018 01:15
Manchester United
315
Yes, I like movies that have to do with football.
21/08/2018
points
1. Yes, I do.
I don't know about other players who have become actors.
21/08/2018 00:32
Liverpool
695
1. Yes, I do.
I don't know about other players who have become actors.
18/08/2018
points
The truth is that I dont know other footballers who have acted in a movie or series.
I love the movies about soccer, my favorite is Goal.
18/08/2018 06:14
Manchester United
512
The truth is that I dont know other footballers who have acted in a movie or series.
I love the movies about soccer, my favorite is Goal.
18/08/2018
points
I don't really like sports films.
18/08/2018 03:22
Liverpool
471
I don't really like sports films.
18/08/2018
points
Cristiano Ronaldo is a documentary, and I like many sports movies.
Most of them I understood.
18/08/2018 03:02
Manchester United
481
Cristiano Ronaldo is a documentary, and I like many sports movies.
Most of them I understood.
17/08/2018
points
yes leonel messi, if I like them a lot.
Yes, I understand the majority.
17/08/2018 22:42
Arsenal
732
yes leonel messi, if I like them a lot.
Yes, I understand the majority.
17/08/2018
points
I don't like the football so I find it boring the football films
17/08/2018 22:38
Liverpool
654
I don't like the football so I find it boring the football films
17/08/2018
points
No, I can not think of anyone else besides those mentioned in this lesson and I do not like that kind of movies.
Yes, some manage to recognize.
I do not remember having seen movies on soccer.
17/08/2018 15:19
Arsenal
644
No, I can not think of anyone else besides those mentioned in this lesson and I do not like that kind of movies.
Yes, some manage to recognize.
I do not remember having seen movies on soccer.
17/08/2018
points
I found it interesting, I had the opportunity to see movies where great soccer representatives have performed.
17/08/2018 04:21
Manchester City
513
I found it interesting, I had the opportunity to see movies where great soccer representatives have performed.
17/08/2018
points
I don't like sports films.
17/08/2018 02:49
Newcastle United
462
I don't like sports films.
17/08/2018
points
+I don't like to much the sport films but it's okay for hang out.
+Some of this words was new for me.
17/08/2018 02:20
Wolverhampton Wanderers
693
+I don't like to much the sport films but it's okay for hang out.
+Some of this words was new for me.
17/08/2018
points
- I don't know about any other footballer that have starred in a film. Yes, I like.
- Yes, the most of the words.
17/08/2018 01:24
Liverpool
829
- I don't know about any other footballer that have starred in a film. Yes, I like.
- Yes, the most of the words.
17/08/2018
points
Ohh, I do not know
Only some of them
17/08/2018 01:12
Liverpool
43
Ohh, I do not know
Only some of them
17/08/2018
points
Yes, I like soccer movies.
17/08/2018 01:12
Liverpool
-903
Yes, I like soccer movies.
17/08/2018
points
I do not remember seeing a soccer player in a movie.
I thought this test was wonderful
17/08/2018 01:00
Liverpool
658
I do not remember seeing a soccer player in a movie.
I thought this test was wonderful
14/08/2018
points
I remember once having seen Neymar in an action movie. No, I'm not a fan of soccer and sports movies.
Only two words were not clear to me, but I understood the rest.
14/08/2018 23:50
Chelsea
761
I remember once having seen Neymar in an action movie. No, I'm not a fan of soccer and sports movies.
Only two words were not clear to me, but I understood the rest.
13/08/2018
points
I love sports movies and they call my attention because they are the ones that motivate us to do sports and generate healthy living habits. On the other hand, sometimes it goes from being a great image to a stereotype of a single physical image. superficial.
13/08/2018 02:32
Manchester United
756
I love sports movies and they call my attention because they are the ones that motivate us to do sports and generate healthy living habits. On the other hand, sometimes it goes from being a great image to a stereotype of a single physical image. superficial.
13/08/2018
points
-Ladislao Kubala was also a very famous soccer player from Barcelona who was an actor in "Los ases busca la paz".
-Alicia Through the Looking Glass is a very interesting film as it takes us to a wonderful world and teaches us that everything is possible.
13/08/2018 02:27
Manchester United
622
-Ladislao Kubala was also a very famous soccer player from Barcelona who was an actor in "Los ases busca la paz".
-Alicia Through the Looking Glass is a very interesting film as it takes us to a wonderful world and teaches us that everything is possible.
12/08/2018
points
it's excellent!
12/08/2018 18:42
Chelsea
43
it's excellent!
11/08/2018
points
I'm learning a lot about movies, genres and everything what is to do a movie
11/08/2018 15:38
Manchester City
343
I'm learning a lot about movies, genres and everything what is to do a movie
11/08/2018
points
I do not know about the world of football, so I have no idea if other players have starred in films. I like movies, but I do not like football or sports.
11/08/2018 06:31
Manchester United
65
I do not know about the world of football, so I have no idea if other players have starred in films. I like movies, but I do not like football or sports.
11/08/2018
points
I do not know of any other footballer who has starred in a movie; I am struck by the films of this type because they almost always show us a sense of enormous improvement.
Yes, I understand all the words in red.
11/08/2018 05:11
Arsenal
59
I do not know of any other footballer who has starred in a movie; I am struck by the films of this type because they almost always show us a sense of enormous improvement.
Yes, I understand all the words in red.
11/08/2018
points
it was interesting
11/08/2018 04:43
Manchester United
64
it was interesting
11/08/2018
points
I like movies about sports, i understand all the words In red.
About a sport movie, i like that the people tried hard to get what they wanted.
11/08/2018 04:32
Manchester United
352
I like movies about sports, i understand all the words In red.
About a sport movie, i like that the people tried hard to get what they wanted.
11/08/2018
points
excellent very good lesson
11/08/2018 03:49
Manchester City
641
excellent very good lesson
11/08/2018
points
I don't know about other players who have become actors. Sports films are a motivation to fight for dreams and overcome the obstacles of life.
Yes, I can understand the words in red.
11/08/2018 03:43
Manchester City
268
I don't know about other players who have become actors. Sports films are a motivation to fight for dreams and overcome the obstacles of life.
Yes, I can understand the words in red.
11/08/2018
points
I don't know and I have not looked at any
no, I don't understand them all
11/08/2018 03:43
Chelsea
594
I don't know and I have not looked at any
no, I don't understand them all
11/08/2018
points
I do not remember seeing any movie about footballers.
11/08/2018 03:36
Manchester United
866
I do not remember seeing any movie about footballers.
11/08/2018
points
Good lesson
11/08/2018 03:15
Manchester City
187
Good lesson
11/08/2018
points
The truth is that I do not know other footballers who have acted in a movie or series.
I love the movies about soccer, my favorite is Gol.
Not all.
11/08/2018 01:46
Manchester United
995
The truth is that I do not know other footballers who have acted in a movie or series.
I love the movies about soccer, my favorite is Gol.
Not all.
11/08/2018
points
1. not
2. Yes, they are mostly good
3.Mostly, since I have learned them from this course
11/08/2018 01:33
Crystal Palace
247
1. not
2. Yes, they are mostly good
3.Mostly, since I have learned them from this course
11/08/2018
points
i do not remember seeing any movie about footballers
11/08/2018 00:48
Chelsea
624
i do not remember seeing any movie about footballers
11/08/2018
points
I can not think of another player who was an actor, if I like sports movies.
Yes, most of them I recognize.
11/08/2018 00:46
Arsenal
774
I can not think of another player who was an actor, if I like sports movies.
Yes, most of them I recognize.
10/08/2018
points
good
10/08/2018 23:47
Manchester City
70
good
10/08/2018
points
the truth I do not like the sport so I have not seen any movie of this sport
10/08/2018 22:27
Manchester United
34
the truth I do not like the sport so I have not seen any movie of this sport
10/08/2018
points
I do not like movies about sports, they do not call my attention
10/08/2018 21:44
Crystal Palace
687
I do not like movies about sports, they do not call my attention
10/08/2018
points
Hello Community British Council !!
- My name is Laura Sofia
1) I do not know of any player who has become an actor, only those who have just learned
2) I do not like much just some that are like with stories of hard lives and the struggle to fulfill their goals
3) yes, most of them I have learned in this course
10/08/2018 06:12
Chelsea
778
Hello Community British Council !!
- My name is Laura Sofia
1) I do not know of any player who has become an actor, only those who have just learned
2) I do not like much just some that are like with stories of hard lives and the struggle to fulfill their goals
3) yes, most of them I have learned in this course
10/08/2018
points
I can't think of any footballers, I don't really like movies about sports.
Some of them were new to me.
"Simple, yet very communicative"
"Generic and boring, as simple as that"
10/08/2018 05:09
Arsenal
1152
I can't think of any footballers, I don't really like movies about sports.
Some of them were new to me.
"Simple, yet very communicative"
"Generic and boring, as simple as that"
10/08/2018
points
I love sports movies and they call my attention because they are the ones that motivate us to do sports and generate healthy living habits. On the other hand, sometimes it goes from being a great image to a stereotype of a single physical image. superficial.
10/08/2018 04:42
Chelsea
214
I love sports movies and they call my attention because they are the ones that motivate us to do sports and generate healthy living habits. On the other hand, sometimes it goes from being a great image to a stereotype of a single physical image. superficial.