With Lee Charnley in charge of transfers at our beloved Newcastle, we can often struggle to entice players through the door at St James’ Park.
However, we do have one saving grace to fall back on – the world-famous movie ‘Goal!’.

(Photo by Serena Taylor/Newcastle United via Getty Images)
The 2005 classic, in which Mexican immigrant Santiago Muñez rises from a poor background to become a footballing star at St James’ Park, touched the hearts of many football fans around the globe – interestingly, it also appears to have been a contributing factor in Callum Wilson’s move to Tyneside.
In his first interview, our new No.9 cited his and his son’s interest in the film as a factor in his £20million move to the club from Bournemouth, with the ex-Coventry forward’s eyes lighting up when discussing the opportunity to replicate Muñez’s accomplishments at St James’ Park.
*Spoiler alert* Muñez eventually ends up moving to Real Madrid in the second edition of the film franchise, so could we see Wilson at the Santiago Bernabeu in future? It feels unlikely, although if the improbable happens, we’ll at least be safe in the knowledge that the 28-year-old smashed it with the Magpies.

(Photo by Serena Taylor/Newcastle United via Getty Images)
Toon fans react as Callum Wilson makes ‘Goal!’ revelation
Santiago Munez is the best marketing ploy we have. pic.twitter.com/vttfOf9zv2
— Dan Saunders (@_saunders_1997) September 7, 2020
Imagine signing a player cause of a movie from 15 years ago.
You love to see it #NUFC https://t.co/Z3L2AJQ66i
— AJ ⚫⚪ (@TheAndylorian) September 7, 2020
Look at the smile that crosses his face when he talks about the little boy in him & “that’s the one for me” ❤👊
That’s what we want #nufc https://t.co/wt1n1Perzj
— Moz (@MozzaNUFC) September 7, 2020
Nah ‘Goal’ has actually attracted more players to our club than Lee Charnley I swear! #nufc https://t.co/ldcsiC21r5
— ‘Best ‘fro in the game’💆🏿♂#FordeHaveMercy 🇧🇧 (@Clinton_Forde) September 7, 2020
I do laugh at this but at the same time, it’s actually incredible how much reach this film had…
Released 15 years ago and arguably more effective than recent club documentaries! https://t.co/ce2GRvQNRt
— David Moat (@DavidMoat) September 7, 2020
as if https://t.co/XxgqLQI6SB
— adam (@adamsherrin14) September 7, 2020