There are no two teams that rival the Ravens and Steelers as much in terms of rivalry; every game between them is intense and physical , creating one of the greatest rivalries in the NFL.
El Clasico was first held in 1902 and is an iconic football rivalry that is steeped in politics; Real Madrid represents Spanish nationalism, while Barcelona represents Catalan nationalism.
1. Barcelona vs. Real Madrid
When it comes to football rivalries, few rivalries rival that between Barcelona and Real Madrid – known in Spanish as El Clasico – for passion and headlines. El Clasico is not just about beautiful football; it represents deep cultural, political and historical divisions that have gripped the world for over 100 years.
El Clasico began in 1902, between two Spanish giants, Real Madrid and Barcelona. Since then, their rivalry has only intensified and become more intense. El Clasico has featured some of the greatest players in history – such as Ladislao Kubala and Luis Suarez for Barcelona, and Ferenc Puskas and Alfredo Di Stefano for Madrid. Off the pitch, El Clasico can often have political overtones; Real Madrid is often seen as representing Spanish nationalism, while Barcelona is seen as representing Catalan identity and resistance, respectively.
There have been countless intense and unforgettable matches between the arch-rivals, from high -stakes league games to thrilling second-round World Cup matches. Even when both teams are playing well, there remains an uncomfortable tension between them, which has sometimes spilled over into hooliganism or fan altercations – keeping this rivalry at the forefront of sporting rivalries for generations to come and becoming one of the greatest sporting rivalries in history.
2. Celtic vs. Rangers
The Old Firm rivalry between Celtic and Rangers is one of the cornerstones of Scottish football history. Both clubs are based in the same city, but their matches have become legendary due to the intensity of the competition on the pitch and the animosity between the fans off it. At the heart of it are the religious differences between Catholicism and Protestantism (both clubs also have a religious foundation), as well as the political and social issues that have divided Scotland over time.
These two world football powers have produced some of the world’s best talent over time , creating some memorable confrontations during World Cup tournaments such as 1958, 1986 and 1998; their rivalry has led to some epic matches, with unforgettable goals scored between these titans of international football.
The matches between these two teams are some of the most watched and most publicized in the world . The hard-hitting attacks and vicious chants make these matches all the more entertaining – something that can only increase after Man City took control of Manchester United, followed by the potential Qatari ownership of Liverpool in the years to come. This rivalry is only going to intensify over time.
3. Manchester United vs. Manchester City
The Manchester derby has long been one of the greatest rivalries in football, dating back to 1881, when the two teams first met in an FA Cup tie, Manchester United winning 5-1 at St Mark’s and 3-1 at City respectively. Since then, the two clubs have traded blows as the fortunes of both have changed dramatically over the years – this rivalry remains as intense as ever!
Even with City’s recent rise, United remain comfortably ahead of their rival on total wins, with 78 to City’s 58 and 53 draws – they have met 189 times in the competition since 2008, and City’s recent rise is likely to lead to even more matches between them in the future.
Sir Alex Ferguson once described the 2009–10 Manchester derby as one of the “best I’ve ever seen”, when City came from behind to beat their rivals 4–3, with Michael Owen scoring the winning goal late in the game to secure victory. The match was also voted the best Premier League match of 2012.
The legendary rivalry between Inter and AC Milan dates back to the founding of both clubs, when nationalist ideals prevented foreign players from coming in. While it doesn’t compare to some of the other fiercer rivalries on this list, their matches often feature intense action, with plenty of sloppy tackling by both teams.
4. Benfica vs. Porto
Benfica and Porto have an intense rivalry, known as O Classico, that rivals any other in Europe. Both clubs represent Lisbon and Porto respectively – two major cities in Portugal – but their competition goes far beyond the borders of these cities. Every tackle, every sweat and every second ball played is fiercely contested by both teams and the fans, making this match more than just a match; rather, it can be considered one of the most passionate derbies in Europe!
Over the years, the head-to-head record has fluctuated between the two teams; however, Porto currently holds the advantage, with 88 wins to Benfica’s 95; Benfica has more domestic trophies, while Porto has excelled more in European competitions, with 10 appearances in the Champions League final and two continental triumphs, respectively.
While some might argue that this rivalry doesn’t involve teams from the same country, its intensity cannot be denied. These two teams are competing for some of the most prestigious trophies in their respective countries, and the tension between their fans can be palpable. Each has earned a reputation for playing some of the best football in their league, which only adds to the tension. Each has earned a reputation for producing some incredible spectacles on match days – this only fuels this fierce battle! But a crucial part of any football rivalry is creating an electric atmosphere around each match, and this eternal derby did just that, with some truly wild displays of cheering and pyrotechnics being displayed against each other throughout!
5. Milan vs. Borussia Dortmund
Rivalries in sports are among the most captivating and engaging aspects of competition, whether they are the result of geographical proximity, questionable refereeing decisions or major tournament encounters – making matches that much more interesting to watch and more engaging. Rivalries in football run even deeper, being fueled by socio-cultural issues, fan behaviour or political sentiment.
Rivalries between teams from the same city tend to be some of the fiercest in all of football, especially if they compete in the same league and share the same stadium . The fierce rivalry between AC Milan and Inter Milan is perhaps one of the fiercest examples; every time they meet, flares can be fired and all sorts of chaos can be created between the fans – often leading to physical altercations from one team or the other!
The Superclasico refers to this clash between two of Europe’s most important clubs and is widely known for being an intense rivalry that spans decades and features unforgettable moments both on and off the pitch. Both clubs enjoy tremendous global popularity, with fans coming from all over the world to watch their matches; their fanatical support, banners and chants have cemented both teams as some of the most recognisable teams in European football; in addition, they compete for some of the most coveted trophies.
6. Bayern Munich
Whether due to proximity, questionable refereeing incidents or matches in major tournaments – rivalries can stir passionate emotions and generate significant passion and drama between two teams, but for this to work properly there must first be quality football from both parties involved.
Bayern Munich boasts some of the greatest players in European history, which makes this matchup particularly compelling. Notable names on their roster include World Cup winners Franz Beckenbauer, Lothar Matthaus, Philipp Lahm, as well as, more recently, Manuel Neuer and Robert Lewandowski – two players destined to be world class at some point! With their new manager Julian Nagelsmann leading them through to 2021-22, there’s no doubt that this rivalry will become one of the fiercest in Germany!
Der Klassiker in Germany refers to the intense rivalry between Bayern and Borussia Dortmund, located just a short distance from each other. Their proximity has only further inflamed this long-standing competition between the clubs, which reflects the wider historical and political divisions within each respective nation.
The battle between them is an old classic; one of the fiercest in the history of football. Furthermore, both teams can boast of having produced some of the best players currently available! This clash offers fans an incredible spectacle, as both are capable of producing truly iconic players, capable of producing game -changers ; creating a hellish showdown that lasts all night long!
