6 Things ‘Bend It Like Beckham’ Actually Gets Right About Soccer

“Bend It Like Beckham” is a coming-of-age soccer film that resonates with plenty, telling the story of Jess (Parminder Nagra), an Indian high schooler who wants nothing more than to play soccer. But playing soccer doesn’t exactly align with her culture — or with the plans her family already has for her. Still, she’s persistent, showing true dedication to herself and the sport.

While the movie is a classic, nostalgia-packed millennial flick, there’s a lot “Bend It Like Beckham” actually gets right about soccer. Let’s dive in.

Here are the things Bend It Like Beckham actually gets right about soccer.

Let’s start here: Parents can be the make-or-break factor in whether their child plays. One of the biggest themes “Bend It Like Beckham” focuses on is family and cultural expectations. It dives into how hard it is to balance them with what a teenager actually wants to do. Jess is constantly faced with pressure from her parents but can’t deny her passion for the sport.

Similarly, many parents put tons of pressure on their teens to do well in soccer. This makes it difficult for them to balance playing and simply being a teen. Essentially, parents really do play a major role in their teen’s soccer life — they can help them succeed, or they can push too hard and make them burn out or fail.

Soccer players actually do bend the ball.

The name “Bend It Like Beckham” isn’t just a nod to the famous David Beckham. It refers to a real shot or pass in soccer called “bending the ball,” where a player strikes it with a curving motion. The maneuver lets the ball bend around corners or defenders, and yes, it’s a real skill players practice regularly.

Not to mention, David Beckham himself is widely known for his ability to “bend” the ball, so the title is literally referencing a real soccer move and a real soccer star.

Soccer training schedules are grueling.

That line “practice, practice, practice” isn’t just said for fun. Soccer players literally do just that, several times times a week, to prepare for big games and upcoming tournaments. The constant drills, conditioning, and repetition are all part of the grind, and the movie depicts that pretty accurately. 

Soccer players really love the game, at least most of them.

Some people decide to play soccer as a hobby or just to keep busy, but for the most part, the ones who stick with it do it because they genuinely love the sport, just like Jess in “Bend It Like Beckham.” The passion is real, and so is the love for the game. The scriptwriters definitely didn’t get that part wrong.

Women’s soccer has always been fighting to be taken seriously.

Women’s sports have long pushed to be taken as seriously as men’s, and that’s not just an underlying theme in “Bend It Like Beckham,” it’s a real-world issue. In fact, as of this writing, there are only a handful of women’s sports bars that spotlight women’s games.

Just like Jess and Jules, who are constantly trying to prove to the people around them that women’s soccer is a serious sport, many women still face that same uphill battle. Some people simply don’t take women’s soccer as seriously as they should, and the movie reflects that perfectly.

Teammates sometimes feel like family.

Soccer players spend countless hours training and playing alongside their teammates, and it subsequently leads to strong bonds forming. Just like Jess and Jules, who go from not knowing each other to becoming practically like sisters, this is something many players can relate to.

Strong team bonds don’t just help a soccer team excel and succeed, they also create a built-in support system between players. Teammates are there for each other, even when things in life aren’t going their way, reminding everyone they’ve got people in their corner on and off the field.

“Bend It Like Beckham” is definitely an iconic soccer film people still talk about, but there are plenty of others out there. Which one is your favorite, and what do you think “Bend It Like Beckham” got most right about soccer? Share your thoughts down below.

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