10 Biggest Football Derby in World History

Derby games are the one fixture that most fans look forward to when the season’s schedule is released. There’s nothing quite like getting the better of your arch-rivals, especially on their turf.

However, some derbies can cross the line and are so volatile that fans are at risk due to violence. The hatred clubs have for one another can lead to iconic moments on the pitch too.

Here we look at the biggest derbies in the football world that have enthralled fans with epic drama and tension.

10. Flamengo vs Fluminense

South American football is renowned for its passionate fans and feisty characters and Brazil boasts one of the fiercest rivalries in world football. Flamengo and Fluminense have played out some of the most entertaining derby matches in history.

This includes a 0-0 draw at the Maracana which took place in front of a world record 194,603 capacity crowd. Tensions can often boil over between the two Rio de Janeiro-based rivals as was the case in November 2023 when both sides finished with 10 men in a 1-1 draw. 

Flamengo have got the better of Fluminense on 22 occasions while they’ve suffered 17 defeats. The two rivals have settled on 13 draws and continue to wage war in the Campeonato Carioca. 

9. Marseille vs Paris Saint-Germain

This French derby is dubbed Le Classique and it’s one of the newer rivalries due to PSG’s formation in 1970. It’s still a fierce rivalry stemming from the two cities’ different cultures.

The Parisians have dominated French football since their Qatari takeover in 2012. They recently clinched their 12th title, extending their record as the club with the most titles but Marseille will always remind them that they were the first French champions.

You needn’t look further than the backlash Lucas Hernandez received when joining PSG last summer if you want any evidence as to why it’s one of the top derbies in world football. Parisian ultras hit out at his signing due to his father’s connection to Marseille.

8. Liverpool vs Manchester United

One of the most watched football matches in the world between two of English football’s most successful clubs. Liverpool and Manchester United’s rivalry transcends football and has produced legendary moments.

None more so than Sir Alex Ferguson famously claiming he’d ‘knock Liverpool off their perch’. The iconic Scottish coach did just that, guiding them to a 19th league title in 2011 before retiring in 2013 with another one to add to the cabinet.

The Red Devils have nosedived since Ferguson’s era but this derby still lives up to the hype. Their fans’ hatred for one another is more than just that of footballing views as it comes from their intercity issues.

7. Borussia Dortmund vs Schalke

The biggest derby in Germany and one of the top derbies in the world is undoubtedly the one shared by Borussia Dortmund and Schalke. The two German giants’ disdain for one another comes from neighboring one another in North Rhine-Westphalia.

The Revierderby goes back to the creation of the Gauliga in 1936. BvB and Die Knappen have contested some intense battles over the years, including a pulsating 4-4 draw in the Bundesliga in November 2017.

Dortmund currently outshines their arch-rivals, as Schalke suffered relegation to Bundesliga 2 in 11 months ago. Fans await seeing them do battle in the German top tier once again.

6. Ajax vs Feyenoord

This rivalry stems more so from the two Dutch giants’ playing philosophies rather than in-city fighting. This is what makes De Klassieker so unique as Ajax and Feyenoord are from different cities.

Ajax’s brand of football has often been associated with flair. They boast icons such as Johan Cruyff of whom their current stadium is named. Based in Amsterdam, de Godenzonen are perhaps the most famous Dutch club in the world.

However, Feyenoord have had huge success, often at the expense of their arch-rivals. Their philosophy is usually results-driven, which was when incoming Liverpool boss Arne Slot ended Ajax’s three-year stranglehold of the Eredivisie title in 2023.

5. Fenerbahce vs Galatasaray

We head to Turkey next for another one of the top derbies in world football between two formidable European powerhouses. Unsavory scenes of violence have marred the Intercontinental Derby (or the eternal derby) over the years.

This rivalry began in 1909 and the hatred between the two clubs has grown even stronger to this day. They are two of Turkey’s most successful clubs and often rival one another trophies.

Fenerbahce and Galatasaray are both situated in Istanbul which can make for fighting weeks before they collide on the pitch. Sarı Kanaryalar are the Asian half of the city while Cimbom are the Europe-based half. That makes for a feisty Intercontinental Derby and one of the top derbies in world football.

4. AC Milan vs Inter Milan

AC Milan and Inter Milan share the same stadium which is the iconic San Siro. The wars that have taken place between the Milan rivals aren’t so admirable as they have gone hammer and tong to defeat one another.

The San Siro is often a cauldron when they meet for the Derby della Madonnia which has been a stable in any football fan’s calendar. Younger fans may be able to recall Jose Mourinho’s Inter thrashing the Rossoneri 4-0 in August 2009 ahead of a treble-winning season.

 The Milan rivals have shared many iconic moments and matches that have lit up Italian football. More often than not the stands are lit up by fireworks of the colors of either club and it makes for one of the top derbies in world football.

3. Barcelona vs Real Madrid

El Clasico is synonymous with world football and one of, if not, the greatest, showpieces to catch as a fan. Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo’s long-running rivalry reached its peak during their battles at Camp Nou and the Santiago Bernabeu.

The rivalry is one of the most famous sporting rivalries and thus one of the top derbies in world football and it has a political backstory. Real Madrid is often viewed as representing nationalism, while Barcelona represents Catalan nationalism.

It’s fair to say that they’ve possessed the greatest array of talents in world football history, Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, Xavi, Ronaldo Nazario, Ronaldinho, and Raul, just to name a few.

2. Celtic vs Rangers

Scottish football might not be up to par with English football but it almost certainly has the fiercest rivalry in the UK which is the Old Firm rivalry. It’s one of the most intense but top derbies in world football that any fan can wish to watch in person or on TV.

Their rivalry began back in the late 19th century and is deep-rooted in historical and religious debate. It has defined Glasgow’s identity for more than a century and pits Catholicism against Protestantism. 

The two Glasgow rivals’ hatred leaks onto the pitch, with players doing their utmost to defend their respective club’s badge. They are the two most successful clubs in Scottish football history and their rivalry is the greatest in Europe.

1. Boca Juniors vs River Plate

The top of the crop of the top derbies in world football can only be handed to one derby and that’s the Superclasico. This rivalry dates back 111 years and is renowned as one of the most vicious in world football.

An example of this came in 2011 when River Plate were relegated to the second division of Argentinian football for the first in their history. Boca fans celebrated by holding a funeral of sorts for their rivals, parading the streets with red and white paper mache coffins.

The rivalry is still as intense today as was the case when the two sides met in May 2023. Six players were sent off after a 15-minute brawl ensued when River scored a 90+3rd minute winning penalty. if you want drama and passion from a derby you needn’t look further than Superclasico.

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