Biggest Football Rivalries In The World – Top 12
3. Rangers vs Celtic (Scotland)
These two clubs were the powerhouses of the Scottish league until Ranger’s financial implosion landed them in the Third Division. This caused the rivalry between the two clubs to take a hiatus, but the Rangers fought their way back in the Scottish Premiership.
The Old Firm is not just about opposing sides of a class divide or a city. There are religious divisions – catholic or protestant, political divisions – loyalist or republican, ideological divisions – conservative or socialist – and background divisions.
When it’s on and none more so than when opposing fans invaded the pitch in 1980 after the Scottish Cup Final, duking it out in a battle that led to alcohol being banned from matches in Scotland.
This game tops our list of biggest rivalries in British football.
2. Barcelona vs Real Madrid (Spain)
El Clasico played between these two Spanish giants is arguably the biggest football match in the world of football. Barcelona represented the Catalanism and the Catalan people, while Real Madrid has been linked with Spanish nationalism and the royal family of Spain. Behind the Champions League Final, it is the most followed club football match in the world. They are by far the two most successful clubs in Spain
There are political divides between Catalonia and the rest of Spain, but the rivalry was really forged with the Alfredo di Stefano transfer to Spain. Both clubs thought they had signed the Argentinian, but after some confusion, he ended up playing for Madrid.
Recent ugliness on the pitch between the Spanish players could also lead to problems for the World Champion Spanish National Team.
1. Boca Juniors vs River Plate (Argentina)
Argentina is home to one of the world’s best rivalries, the Superclasico. Known for their passionate fans, these Argentine clubs engage in insane matches where fireworks, flags, toilet paper and riots are part of the norm.
Tourists flock to Argentina to see the game and the matchup is known around the world as one of, if not the most intense rivalry. The supporters and players match each other’s passion. Boca represents the working class while River represents the affluent neighborhood of Belgrano in northern Buenos Aires.
The entire country is gripped for days in the lead up to match day and the game kicks-off so too do 90 minutes of ear-bursting and nerve-jangling atmosphere.
It takes the top spot in our list of ‘Biggest Football Rivalries In The World’