Those who are into football will certainly know that there are some rivalries that are unrivaled and are considered to be the greatest football rivalries in the world. This includes the rivalries between Liverpool and Manchester United, as well as the rivalries between PSG and Olympique Marseille.
Liverpool vs Manchester United
Usually considered as two of the most successful clubs in English football, Liverpool and Manchester United have been battling it out in the domestic and international arena for years. These two clubs have won a total of 38 top-flight English titles and five UEFA Super Cups. They also have two FIFA Club World Cups and nine European Cups between them.
Liverpool and Manchester United are rivals for a number of reasons. These include proximity, shared success and historical resentment.
Arsenal vs Tottenham Hotspur
Known as the North London Derby, the match between Tottenham and Arsenal has been a raging rivalry for well over 100 years. They have a number of notable matches, including a North London Derby match of epic proportions in November 2012.
Tottenham have won four of the six meetings between the two teams in the league. Although the two sides have not been in direct competition for many years, the two clubs still play each other in the Champions League qualification competition.
Roma vs Lazio
Amongst the greatest football rivalries, one of the most intense is the rivalry between Roma and Lazio. This rivalry is one of the longest in Italian history and has been a constant struggle for the two clubs.
The rivalry between the two teams is particularly intense during the Derby della Capitale, the “Derby of the Capital”. This game is held at the Stadio Olimpico and is regarded as one of the most important matches of the season. In the past, the game has been marred by many high-profile incidents.
Olympiacos-Panathinaikos derby
Known as the “derby of the eternal enemies” and “the mother of all battles”, the Olympiakos vs Panathinaikos match is a clash of two of the most famous football clubs in Greece. Usually full of excitement and action, these two matches have a unique atmosphere.
The two clubs have been rivals since their founding. Their socio-economic and political ties vary greatly. In the early 20th century, their ties were based on a class struggle.
Despite the socio-economic differences, the two clubs have a common goal. They both look to win the league title each season. The derby between the two clubs is the most important game of the season in Greece.
Fenerbahce vs Galatasaray
Having won 146 games in the rivalry, Fenerbahce is the clear favourite. But Galatasaray have their own record. They have won 22 Super Lig titles. They have also won the Turkish Cup.
Fenerbahce and Galatasaray are both Istanbul clubs. They have a large fanbase and are known to have had an intense rivalry for years. There have been incidents of violence and rioting at both games.
Fenerbahce and Galatasaray also have very different records domestically. Fenerbahce has won more games, with a 10-point advantage over their rivals. They also have a much better record in European competitions. The rivalry has become a heated one, with hooliganism common at games.]
PSG vs Olympique Marseille
Probably the greatest football rivalry of all time is PSG vs Olympique Marseille. It is a rivalry that has lasted for almost four decades. While PSG is often seen as the best team in France, Marseille has a few tricks up its sleeve to rival their rival.
It’s no secret that Marseille are the most popular club in France, especially in the north and north-eastern areas. However, PSG have managed to wriggle their way into some of France’s top competitions.
Stanford vs Oregon State
During the early part of the 20th century, Oregon State and Stanford had a rivalry that was pretty competitive. Oregon State was able to pull off the first victory over Stanford in 1938. The next encounter happened in 1947.
The first meeting between the two teams in Corvallis was in 1938. Stanford won that game, but in the next two meetings, Oregon State won. The Beavers won four straight games from 1955 to 1958.
The University of Oregon holds a 60-46-2 series lead. The two teams have met in 114 games since 1894.
Paulista Derby in Brazil
Among the greatest classic rivalries in the world, the Paulista Derby is a battle of the traditional Sao Paulo football clubs, Sport Club Corinthians Paulista and Sociedade Esportiva Palmeiras. Both clubs have been fighting for titles for over a century. Combined, they have won 17 Brasilerao titles and 6 Copa do Brasils. They have also been a part of many other championships and state championships.
The rivalry is not as intense as the rivalry between the two Brazilian teams, Fluminense and Flamengo, which have gone head to head in almost every South American competition. However, the rivalry between these two teams is one of the most popular and fiercely fought in Brazil.