The 8ball Football Movie Acting Oscars

The Euros are upon us, excitement has reached fever pitch in the 8ball office as the wave of football shirts, flag bunting and red and white face paint has started to appear. The sweepstakes have been started, the teams have been picked and we are ready for (hopefully) one month of patriotism, BBQs and celebrations as Woy’s men bring home the cup!

The theatrics on and off the field will have us glued to our seats, will a new star shine? Will a new hero rise from nothing to become the nation’s Golden Boy? Will we see an aging star retire and move on to a new role? Over the years we have seen many a player try to make the big career jump from footballer to actor. With one or two exceptions there have been no Hollywood A-list quality performances created. We won’t be seeing David Beckham anytime soon sat next to Leo at the Oscars with his fingers crossed that he will scoop the next award.

We have to admit, taking a dive on the pitch at times requires a certain amount of acting skill and we’re not talking about the Platoon style death scenes that are often played out at some Premier League grounds. With this in mind and to give them the recognition they truly deserve we’ve put together an awards ceremony like no other, featuring some of the most memorable acting attempts from footballs finest.

Here it is ladies and gentlemen… The Best Football Movie Acting Oscars.

Best Cast/Ensemble Performance

Winners – Pele, Bobby Moore, Ossie Ardilles and co in Escape to Victory

A team from a POW camp played by some of the greatest footballers of the 70s and 80s. A team that when given the choice of escaping the camp or playing the second half choose to lace up their boots and play on. Now that is dedication!

Most Anticipated Performance

Winner – Carlo Ancelotti, Star Trek Beyond

What is the best way to enjoy your sabbatical year? Ring up your A-list actress friend Zoe Saldana and get yourself a cameo in one of the summer’s biggest blockbusters – Star Trek Beyond. Beam us up Scotty, we can’t wait.

Best Performance

Winner – Eric Cantona, Looking For Eric

“I am not a man, I am Cantona.” A movie with a match winning performance from King Cantona as he plays himself in the form of the imagination of one of his biggest fans who has lost his way.

Ultimate Scene Stealer

Winner – Ronaldo, Mike Bassett England Manager

It may be a blink and you’ll miss it performance but anything Cristiano can do the real Ronaldo can do better. Skip to 4:17 to see what we mean!

Best Television Actor

Winner – Michael Owen, Zero to Hero

Now we understand that playing yourself is a common trait for a footballer when trying to become an actor but Owen’s performance in this children’s drama paved the way for a television and commentary career… he doesn’t walk out of posters anymore though.

Best Football Movie of All Time

Winner – The Damned United

The story of Brian Clough’s 44 day ill-fated tenure as manager of Leeds United may’ve caused controversy on its release but Michael Sheen’s portrayal as the managerial legend definitely secures its spot of the 8ball Best Football Movie of All Time.

Other mentions

We couldn’t make a football acting blog without mentioning some of the Spaghetti Westerns of the football acting world. Here they are, the good, the bad and the ugly!

Good

Vinny Jones – in anything he does

We struggle to knock anything that Vinnie does or says due to the way he says it and the fact that if we knock it he may knock us… out! Big Chris is a favourite in the 8ball office and recently made the list of one of our 30 Coolest Dads in TV and Movie History. From an X-Men villain to helping us to “ah, ah, ah, ah stay alive” in the British Heart Foundation advert we really can’t complain.

Bad

The Goal! Trilogy

A questionable set of films made with the co-operation of FIFA in the mid-late 00’s where a gardener’s son is found on the streets of LA and helps to take Newcastle United to the Champions League. Featuring David Beckham, Alan Shearer, Sven Goran Eriksson, both Ronaldo’s and Frank Lampard it wasn’t quite the hat trick we were hoping for.

Ugly

Stan Collymore – Basic Instinct 2

A role that doesn’t last two minutes, Stan struggles to make it past the opening credits in this thriller sequel. The film bombed, the scene is… well check it out for yourself, and his drug fuelled acting face is guaranteed to give you nightmares!

Ready for the Euros? Then don’t forget to check out our new and old ranges of 8ball Originals funny football tees. Make sure you look out for the Golden Tee icon for our buy three tees and get one free deal!

We want to know your favourite football acting moments or your thoughts on the best football movie of all time, let us know in the comments below, on Facebook or hit us up on Twitter or Instagram using the hashtag #8ballFootballActors

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