As the Champions League and Europa League enter the final stages, there's no denying the positive impact that the return of football has had on the collective psyche of fans during this environment of COVID.
However, there have also been some unfortunate stories relating to the behaviour of players and football clubs during the pandemic.
For example, Arsenal's recent decision to make 55 people redundant has not been well received - a decision which has caused frustration among the club's own players - while the actions of Kyle Walker, Jack Grealish, and more recently, Boli Bolingoli have been well-documented.
All things combined, it's very easy to be cynical about football due to the modern environment of excessive wages, players changing clubs more times than a golfer, and the sheer level of greed that's exhibited by most teams.
However, if you're looking for a reminder about why football truly is is the beautiful game, Next Goal Wins on Sky Documentary and NOW TV is just the thing.
In terms of the story that's documented, the film follows the American Samoa football team, FIFA’s lowest-ranked team for 17 years.
In terms of how bad they are, prior to the start of filming, the side had not won a single competitive game and scored only twice in nearly two decades.
However, Dutch coach Thomas Rongen takes over the team with the daunting challenge of leading them through the gruelling 2014 World Cup qualifiers, and the hope of finally winning their first-ever competitive match.
Simply put, Next Goal Wins is a lovely reminder that football isn't always about winning or money, it's about the joy of taking part.
Since being released, Mike Brett and Steve Jamison's documentary has established itself as a cult-classic among football fans - Taika Waititi (Hunt For The Wilderpeople, Thor: Ragnarok) is making a feature-length adaptation of it - and with a rating of 100% on Rotten Tomatoes and 71% on Metacritic, it's one of the highest-rated football documentaries of all time.
As the majority of these critics said in their reviews, you don't even have to like football to love Next Goal Wins.
LA Times - "Next Goal Wins is an irresistible underdog story - sports-fan credentials not required."
The Express - "Even if you have no interest in football, you will be swept along by the emotional pull of this story, willing the team on to experience the joy of scoring their first goal never mind winning a match."
Mark Kermode - "Watching this was the first time I have ever punched the air because a football sailed into the back of a net. And very probably the last."
The Guardian - "As an antidote to Premier League cynicism, it couldn't be bettered."
Total Film - "A triumph-of-the-underdog documentary so amusing and inspirational you'll have to Google events to ensure it's not a mockumentary. Back of the net."
For those that don't have Sky or NOW TV, Next Goal Wins is also available to rent on Amazon Prime.
Take a look at what's in store.
SEE ALSO: Documentary About The History Of Manchester United Comes To Sky Later This Year
Clip via Madman Films
