Goal! (film)

Goal! (film) is a 2005 sports drama film directed by Danny Cannon, the first installment in the Goal! trilogy. It tells the fictional story of Santiago Muñez, a young man from a poor neighborhood in Los Angeles who dreams of becoming a professional footballer.

Synopsis:

Santiago works as a gardener and dishwasher while playing amateur football in his spare time. His talent is spotted by Glen Foy, a former Newcastle United player and scout, who encourages him to try out for the English Premier League club. Despite initial setbacks and health problems, Santiago travels to England and perseveres, eventually earning a place in the Newcastle United squad. The film follows his struggles to adapt to professional football, overcome prejudice, and achieve his goal of scoring a crucial goal for the team.

Production:

The film was produced by Lawrence Bender and Mike Jefferies, and features appearances from several real-life football players including Alan Shearer, David Beckham, Zinedine Zidane, and Raúl González. Goal! was filmed in various locations including Newcastle upon Tyne, Los Angeles, and Madrid.

Reception:

While commercially successful, Goal! received mixed reviews from critics. It was praised for its portrayal of the passion and dedication required to succeed in professional football, as well as its use of real-life football stadiums and players. However, it was also criticized for its predictable storyline and reliance on clichés.

Sequels:

Goal! was followed by two sequels: Goal! 2: Living the Dream (2007) and Goal! 3: Taking on the World (2009). The sequels followed Santiago's career at Real Madrid and during the FIFA World Cup, respectively, but were less successful than the original film.