The biggest soccer rivalries in the world are created because of geographical, political and social differences. There’s a lot of feeling in these games and they often spill over into violence.
Biggest Soccer Rivalries
Whether you’re a fan or a player, a derby is always going to get your blood pumping. Let’s take a look at the 15 biggest soccer rivalries.
15. Sporting Lisbon vs. Porto
The O Clássico is one of the biggest soccer rivalries between two of Portugal’s largest cities. The rivalry stems from the social differences of those from Portugal’s capital city, Lisbon, and the coastal city of Porto.
Porto is seen as a more traditional, working-class and conservative city, while Lisbon is seen as more wealthier, progressive and cosmopolitan.
14. Bayern Munich vs. Borussia Dortmund
The Der Klassiker is one of the biggest soccer rivalries in the world between the two powerhouses and most successful clubs in German soccer.
Despite their geographical differences, the continued domination of Bayern has only fuelled Dortmund’s hatred for their bitter rivals which peaked following the Bavarian club winning the 2013 Champions League Final.
13. Liverpool vs. Everton
The Merseyside Derby between Liverpudlian rivals Everton and Liverpool often attracts violence because of just how close the two clubs are to each other. Both clubs stadiums are less than a mile apart making Anfield and Goodison part one of the closest stadiums to each other in the UK.
12. Red Star Belgrade vs. Partizan
One of the biggest soccer rivalries and tenth on our list is the battle between Serbia’s capital city clubs, Red Star Belgrade and Partizan. On the surface, their geographical closeness would suggest why they’re bitter rivals with their stadiums a 12-minute walk apart.
The feud between the clubs is fierce as a result of ideological differences and being formed by different politic institutions in 1945.
The Belgrade Derby between Red Star and Partizan is considered by many to be the fiercest sports rivalry in all of Europe.@DonnieDoesWorld experiences this rivalry first hand in the latest edition of Barstool Abroad: The Balkans
Watch here: https://t.co/DlXtQuUinP pic.twitter.com/w8wZEphk64
— Barstool Sports (@barstoolsports) November 18, 2021
11. Arsenal vs. Tottenham
Arsenal’s move into Tottenham’s territory in 1919 set the platform for one of the biggest rivalries in soccer. The stadiums of the North London rivals are only four miles apart and both sets of supporters are obsessed with finishing above each other in the league.
Sol Campbell is one of the best defenders in Premier League history and his move from Tottenham to Arsenal on a free transfer in 2001 was seen as one of the biggest betrayals in Premier League history.
10. Olympiacos vs Panathinaikos
The derby of the eternal rivals is a battle between Greece’s biggest clubs and Greater Athens rivals. The ferocious intensity between both sets of supporters has made it one of the biggest soccer rivalries.
Historically the clubs have grown a hatred between each other due to the social differences, with Olympiacos fans seen as upper-class and Panathinaikos as the working-class.
9. Galatasaray vs. Fenerbahce
The Istanbul derby between Turkish giants Galatasaray and Fenerbache is one of the biggest soccer rivalries and is also known as the Intercontinental Derby.
Fenerbahce was founded by local Muslims in the Asian part of Istanbul. Galatasaray, based on the European side Istanbul, is seen as being historically high-class and French influenced.
Just taking your average corner during Galatasaray vs Fenebahce pic.twitter.com/YAIUVERtMY
— Football Chants (@FootyFansChants) December 30, 2021
8. Flamengo vs Fluminense
The Fla-Flu derby is Brazil’s biggest soccer derby between Rio de Janeiro giants Flamengo and Fluminense. In 1911 Fluminense players broke away to create Flamengo because of a disagreement with the board. The Fla-Flu derby set a world record attendance for a soccer match in 1963 with 194,603 fans at a game.
7. Roma vs. Lazio
Italy’s capital city clubs Roma and Lazio both share Stadio Olimpico and the divide between both sets of fanbases has created one of the biggest soccer rivalries in the world.
In 1927, Italy’s fascist leadership merged Rome’s two clubs to restore the city to its former glory and forming Roma.
Lazio resisted the merger because of their own influential fascist supporters – including Benito Mussolini – and Lazio are considered as being “outsiders” due to their decision to break away.
Get this on your bucket list. You will struggle to find a better atmosphere in football! Amazing to cover another Derby della Capitale 🔥 #RomaLazio pic.twitter.com/Gq27MBcDly
— Adriano Del Monte (@adriandelmonte) March 21, 2022
6. Manchester United vs. Manchester City
Not only is United the most hated team in England, they’re Manchester City’s biggest rivals. Both opposing stadiums are separated by only 4 miles (6.4 km).
Although United have been the most dominant team in modern times, City have had an epic resurgence on the back of foreign ownership which has only fuelled the rivalry.
5. Liverpool vs Manchester United
The cities of Liverpool and Manchester United have historically competed against each other in economic and industrial competition. It’s translated into one of the biggest soccer rivalries in the world.
Both clubs are separated by only 35 miles and between them are the most popular and successful clubs in England.
4. Boca Juniors vs River Plate
The Buenos Aires rivals clash in the Superclassico which is one of the biggest soccer rivalries in the world. Both clubs were founded in the working class area of La Boca and its there socio-economical differences causing the rivalry.
River Plate later moved from La Boca to the higher-class Nunez, setting up one of the most fiercest of hatreds between supporters.
Boca Juniors vs. River Plate — the derby to end all derbies [via @COPA90] pic.twitter.com/PLAa9wIJdB
— CNN Sports (@cnnsport) December 15, 2018
3. Inter Milan vs. AC Milan
One of the biggest soccer rivalries is between Milan clubs Inter and AC Milan. Inter formed in 1908 after breaking away from AC because Inter wanted to be able to sign international players, something AC was not open to at the time.
The Derby della Madonnina is also fuelled by the traditionally wealthier Inter Milan up against the working-class AC Milan. The crosstown rivals even share San Siro Stadium.
2. Celtic vs. Rangers
The Old Firm splits Glasgow through the middle in the second biggest rivalry in soccer. Rangers are historically supported by Christian Protestants and Celtic fans are predominantly Catholics.
Rangers fans are also historically pro-British loyalists and are native and Ulster Scots. Celtic fans on the other hand are traditionally Irish immigrants.
1. Real Madrid vs Barcelona
Spanish giants Real Madrid and Barcelona battle out the El Clasico in the biggest derby in soccer. They’re both the two largest clubs in the world and are the two largest cities in Spain. The Ronaldo and Messi rivalry only drove fans even further apart on top of their political differences, with differing opinions on Catalan independence.
The biggest game in world football. 🌎#ElClasico | #LaLigaSantander pic.twitter.com/9tss4yjMBV
— LaLiga English (@LaLigaEN) October 24, 2021
Leave a Reply