Top 25 best greatest football derbies in the world

Top 25 best greatest football derbies in the world

best greatest football derbies in the world

What is a derby match in football? In football, there is nothing more beautiful than the feeling of your favorite team winning against their traditional rival, whether the match is a derby from the same city or a classic, it is all the same. Neither side will be satisfied with defeat because the encounter itself is considered a major championship.

Unfortunately, many of these confrontations and derbies turn into a stage for violence between the fans, players, and even officials who feel intense pressure with each confrontation. Today, we will shed light on the fiercest and strongest matches in the world, relying on the scale of animosity between the teams.

What is the biggest derby in world football?

The World Derbies: The Top 25 Football Matches:

1. The Super Clasico- River Plate and Boca Juniors.
2. El Clásico Spain - Real Madrid and Barcelona.
3. The Old Firm Derby - Glasgow Rangers and Celtic.
4. The Northwest Derby.
5. The Milan Derby.
6. The Montevideo Derby - Between Peñarol and Nacional.
7. The Belgrade Derby- Partizan and Red Star.
8. The Rome Derby - Lazio and Roma.
9. The Istanbul Derby - Galatasaray and Fenerbahçe.
10. The French Classic- Paris Saint-Germain and Marseille.
11. The Derby of Blood - West Ham and Millwall.
12. The eternal rivalry derby - Olympiacos and Panathinaikos.
13. The Cairo Derby - Al Ahly and Zamalek.
14. The Ruhr Derby - Schalke and Borussia Dortmund.
15. Rio de Janeiro Derby - Fluminense and Flamengo.
16. The Clásico of Club América and Guadalajara.
17. Zagreb Derby - Hajduk Split and Dinamo Zagreb.
18. The Gre-Nal derby - Gremio and Internacional.
19. North London Derby - Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur.
20. The Madrid Derby - Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid.
21. The new force against the old force - Benfica and Porto.
22. Clasico  - Ajax Amsterdam and Feyenoord Rotterdam.
23. The Merseyside Derby - Liverpool and Everton.
24. The Clasico - Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund.
25. The Casablanca Derby - Wydad and Raja.

Top 25 greatest football derbies in the world

25- The Casablanca Derby - Wydad and Raja

The Casablanca Derby - Wydad and Raja

The beautiful Casablanca derby with its wonderful scenes, displays, and exciting chants that stir passion within us, the lovers of the beautiful game, evoking feelings of love and infatuation for this thrilling sport. The Moroccan fans never cease to amaze the entire football world with their sophistication and mastery in creating entertainment inside the stadium, making watching this match a delightful and pleasing experience for viewers, far from scenes of violence and far removed from the sportsmanship we are accustomed to in several other derbies. The fans of both clubs play a unique role in the radiance of the Casablanca derby.

24- The Clasico - Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund

The Clasico - Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund

Robert Lewandowski scores a hat-trick against Bayern Munich in the 2012 German Cup final. The Polish phenomenon would later become a nightmare for all Bundesliga teams, including Borussia Dortmund.

This is undoubtedly the biggest match in Germany, bringing together Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund. It often sees a large crowd and media coverage reaching the entire world. The Yellow Wall may not reach the level of the Bavarian giants in terms of achievements and tradition, but it has elevated this encounter to a new level, especially in recent years, after winning two German league titles and becoming the main sponsor of the Bundesliga champion, selling them the best talents and players. This has sparked the anger of the Black and Yellow fans, who never fail to present beautiful displays in every match they play against their main rivals in the country.

23- The Merseyside Derby - Liverpool and Everton

The Merseyside Derby - Liverpool and Everton

The Merseyside Derby is currently the oldest in the English Premier League, being played since 1962. It is named after the Merseyside region, located in the northwest of England. The Merseyside Derby, also known as the "Neighborhood Derby," is one of the oldest and most followed derbies globally, especially in England. This match often has a friendly atmosphere, unlike other derbies, as the Liverpool family can include fans of both teams, reflecting the close relationship between the clubs. Regardless of the teams' positions, the derby remains the match that stops time in the city of Liverpool.

22- Clasico  - Ajax Amsterdam and Feyenoord Rotterdam

Clasico  - Ajax Amsterdam and Feyenoord Rotterdam

The Clasico is one of the most prominent matches in the Dutch league almost every season. It is the main competition in the Netherlands and one of the most exciting matches in the world, bringing together two clubs that have been in fierce competition since ancient times due to the cities of Amsterdam and Rotterdam, which have been and still are in a major cultural conflict that has reached the boundaries of sports and the confrontation between the two city clubs. The transfer of the legend Johan Cruyff to Feyenoord ignited this conflict and made it more intense than it was

21- The new force against the old force - Benfica and Porto

The new force against the old force - Benfica and Porto

The Portuguese Clasico has become the focus of many due to the fierce competition for the Portuguese league title between Benfica and Porto, the two biggest clubs in Portugal representing the two largest cities in the country. In the past, Benfica was the strongest team and dominated the local championships for several years, distancing itself from Porto and other competitors in the number of cups and direct confrontations. Even at the European level, the club with the red colors won the UEFA Champions League twice. Today, the blue team has equaled its rival in the major European championship and surpassed it in head-to-head matches (96 to 88).

20- The Madrid Derby - Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid

The Madrid Derby - Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid

A scene from the friendly match in which the Rojiblancos dominated the first Madrid giant 7-3, and this derby intensified after Real Madrid deprived their neighbor of two Champions League titles.
It is the match that brings together the two poles of the Spanish capital, Madrid and carries within it a mutual animosity between the two teams, especially as Atletico Madrid's football history does not compare to the countless achievements of its royal counterpart. This deepened the animosity and added insult to injury as Real Madrid stood as an obstacle in the path of the Rojiblancos toward winning two Champions League titles. This match has gained significant media momentum in recent years, increasing the value of the stakes and adding unique atmospheres that adorn the Spanish football sky to this derby.

19- North London Derby - Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur

North London Derby - Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur

Due to the intense competition in the North London Derby, many players from both clubs did not play together. It is one of the oldest and most competitive derbies between the two famous teams residing in the north of the capital of the fog. Since their early days, the fans of both teams have been instilled with a mutual dislike. For the Spurs fans, beating their eternal rivals Arsenal is equivalent to their team finishing the league in a better position, while Arsenal's fans consider their team to be the pride of the entire city due to their superiority in the number of domestic league titles, despite their continuous absence from European triumphs.

18- The Gre-Nal derby - Gremio and Internacional

The Gre-Nal derby - Gremio and Internacional

The rivalry between Gremio and Internacional in the Gre-Nal derby goes beyond football and turns into a match between the rich and the poor.
In the far south of Brazil, there is a large city called Porto Alegre, and there you will find only two options for support, either Gremio or Internacional. The former was founded before the latter by a group of wealthy Germans, which angered some people who decided to launch a club named Internacional. Since then, one of the strongest classic matches in the land of samba has begun with high levels of passion, competition, and violence, to the extent that the city's fans almost evenly share its slices.

17- Zagreb Derby - Hajduk Split and Dinamo Zagreb

Zagreb Derby - Hajduk Split and Dinamo Zagreb

30,000 fans of Hajduk Split gathered to demand the resignation of the Croatian Football Federation in 2014 after they were deprived of attending the derby match against Dinamo Zagreb.

The Zagreb Derby, also known as the Eternal Derby due to the longstanding rivalry between the two teams since their establishment under the Yugoslav flag, is considered one of the fiercest and most followed matches among the Eastern European derbies. This is due to the large fan base of both teams, which gives this match a special charm known only to the passionate Croatian fans who are devoted to these clubs. These fans never cease to amaze us with their impressive displays and entrances.

16- The Clásico of Club América and Guadalajara

The Clásico of Club América and Guadalajara

One of the most famous and fiercest Clasico in Latin America, Clasicos one of the biggest global football rivalries, simply put, Club América is a team that relies on Mexican and foreign players bought at high prices, in addition to being located in the capital Mexico City, making it the most popular and hated club in the country at the same time. Meanwhile, Guadalajara is known for its strict policy that relies only on local players, so the unofficial motto of this confrontation is Hate me more.

15- Rio de Janeiro Derby - Fluminense and Flamengo

Rio de Janeiro Derby - Fluminense and Flamengo

The Rio de Janeiro Derby between Fluminense and Flamengo is the most famous in Brazil.
It is also known as the Fla-Flu Derby, and it is the match that brings together the two most historic teams in the largest city in the land of samba. This encounter carries a lot of emotions, especially when we consider that Flamengo was founded by nine players from Fluminense in 1911. Therefore, this match has always been very special among Brazilian football fans. It is considered the match with the highest attendance at the club level in history, with 194,000 spectators present at the stadium in 1963.

14- The Ruhr Derby - Schalke and Borussia Dortmund

The Ruhr Derby - Schalke and Borussia Dortmund

The most famous rivalry between two teams in Germany, The most famous rivalry in the entire North Rhine-Westphalia region, which is the most densely populated state in Germany. The origins of this rivalry can be traced back to the intense economic conflict between the residents of the two cities over coal mines. The Ruhr Derby is named after the river that separates the city of Dortmund from the city of Gelsenkirchen, the home of Schalke. The match is the most famous derby in Germany, although it has lost some of its luster in recent years due to the decline in the Royal Blue's performance and the beginning of a new rivalry between Dortmund and their rival Bayern Munich. Nevertheless, the status of this match remains sacred among the fans of both teams.

13- The Cairo Derby - Al Ahly and Zamalek

The Cairo Derby - Al Ahly and Zamalek

The Cairo Derby, which needs no introduction, the entire city of Cairo comes to a standstill in every match between Al Ahly and Zamalek, The most prominent and most followed match in the land of the Pharaohs between the two poles of Egyptian football and the two most popular clubs, Al Ahly and Zamalek. With the introduction of Ultras culture to Egypt, the rivalry between the fans of the two teams has intensified. The match is considered the most followed and receives extensive media coverage compared to the rest of the matches, regardless of the position of both teams in the league or the situation they are going through. The derby, with its atmosphere, chants, and passion, remains the shining beacon in the sky of Egyptian football, which is constantly struggling with administrative and managerial problems.

12- The eternal rivalry derby - Olympiacos and Panathinaikos

The eternal rivalry derby - Olympiacos and Panathinaikos

The derby that surpassed its fame in the land of the Greeks, The Athens derby, or as it is referred to as the battle of eternal enemies and the eternal rivalry derby, is the most followed match between its counterparts in the land of the Greeks, especially since most football fans in Greece cheer for these two teams due to their deep-rootedness and their rich history of titles. This is one of the notorious meetings known for its violence and tense atmosphere between the fans of the giants, where clashes and violent incidents often occur, including the incident of the killing of a Panathinaikos fan in 2007 by the hooligan groups supporting Olympiacos.

11- The Derby of Blood - West Ham and Millwall

The Derby of Blood - West Ham and Millwall

Britain has eradicated the phenomenon of hooliganism, but a portion of West Ham and Millwall fans still engage in significant violence outside the stadium.
The most ferocious derby among the multiple misty capital derbies, and how could it not be, as the animosity between the two teams' fans has reached the point of fatal violence. The latest incident was in 2009, when a Millwall fan was stabbed by West Ham supporters during riots that occurred during a match in the English FA Cup. In recent years, the two teams haven't met frequently due to Millwall's relegation to the second division and their inability to return to the Premier League, which has reduced the frequency of violence between the two teams' supporters.

10- The French Classic- Paris Saint-Germain and Marseille

The French Classic- Paris Saint-Germain and Marseille

The Paris and Marseille rivalry still holds its breath despite the strength of the capital team in recent years.
Le Classique, as the French press likes to call it, is the match that brings together two of the most successful French clubs of all time, Paris Saint-Germain and Olympique de Marseille. Despite the relative newness of the Parisian team, this rivalry has quickly gained a competitive nature, with charged atmospheres scented with recurring scenes of violence both inside and outside the stadium. This confrontation transcends the usual sporting boundaries to be considered a true stage for the eternal conflict between the north and south of France.

9- The Istanbul Derby - Galatasaray and Fenerbahçe

The Istanbul Derby - Galatasaray and Fenerbahçe

A crazy match in Turkey, expect any unusual behavior from the fans of both clubs, The most famous derby in Turkey and the most watched among the various other derbies that bring together the eternal rivals Galatasaray and Fenerbahçe. Fans of the two clubs in Turkey refer to this match as the eternal derby due to the long-standing rivalry between these two clubs, which has lasted for nearly a century. Perhaps the most notable feature of this match is the excessive violence on the field, often leading to referees showing red cards. Outside the field, debates and confrontations between the fans of the two teams escalate and quickly turn into exchanges of violence and rioting on several occasions.

8- The Rome Derby - Lazio and Roma

The Rome Derby - Lazio and Roma

The Rome Derby is widely considered the fiercest in Italy, surpassing the Milan Derby. The Derby della Capitale is one of the hottest and fiercest derbies on the old continent, and it is the derby of the Italian capital that brings together two teams that share the same stadium and the same degree of hatred for each other. The enmity here is a fierce struggle that is renewed with every confrontation, making the stakes of this match very high, especially in the hearts of both the fans and the players alike. The history of this animosity dates back to the years of fascist rule in Italy, when the dictator Mussolini decided to merge three clubs from the south into one club under the name Roma, leaving Lazio as an outcast without a respectable fan base. This has led to the eternal animosity between the two teams, which has often transcended its sporting context to evolve into violent events and assaults among the fans.

7- The Belgrade Derby- Partizan and Red Star

The Belgrade Derby- Partizan and Red Star

If you do not have life insurance, we do not advise you to go to the Belgrade Derby because many unexpected things may happen.
It is ranked as one of the top 10 derbies in the world. As for violence and madness, it may be in the first place. The derby of madness is never without scenes of clashes between the fans of the two teams, especially since Serbian fans are known for their football fanaticism and their tendency to incite riots. The intense rivalry between these two poles dates back to their early years in the 1940s, instigated by political factions, as Red Star was loyal to the Yugoslav Socialist Party while Partizan was loyal to the army, resulting in significant political divisions that later evolved into deep-seated animosity among fans towards the other team's supporters to this day.

6- The Montevideo Derby - Between Peñarol and Nacional

The Montevideo Derby - Between Peñarol and Nacional

With the support of these two teams, Uruguay has won two World Cup titles, One of the oldest and most competitive derbies in the world, where the two teams have dominated most of the league titles since their first encounter in 1900. The Uruguayan Derby, or the Montevideo Derby, is considered one of the most followed derbies in Latin America due to the strength of the two teams at the continental level and the popular base they enjoy in one of the countries that pride itself on its rich football history. It is no less important than other derbies and big matches in the world, and the fans of the two clubs always argue about which club was founded first.

5- The Milan Derby

The Milan Derby

The Milan Derby is between Milan and Inter. A famous image shows Roy Costa and Marco Materazzi looking at the fans of San Siro Stadium who ignited the stands, The Derby della Madonnina, as Italian football lovers prefer to call it, is one of the matches that exudes a special charm on the global level, as everyone follows it due to the heritage and history of the two teams, filled with achievements and titles. The derby carries the entire football history of the city of Milan: AC Milan and Inter Milan, who struggle to prove each one's right to the title of the city's greatest. This match is considered an important event for the city's residents, as chants rise, flags flutter, and tifos are prepared to announce the approaching of the football epic that Italians pass down their love for from generation to generation.

4- The Northwest Derby

The Northwest Derby

The Northwest Derby is between Manchester United and Liverpool. It is the most watched match in the world, not only because of its strength but also because of the popularity of the two teams in China and the United States. Therefore, the match is often played early so that millions of people can watch the English classic.

The history of animosity between these two teams goes beyond the sports frame. During the first industrial revolution, the competition between the cities of Manchester and Liverpool was at its peak in several areas such as trade and industry, which deepened the gap of conflict between the two cities. This rivalry then moved to the football field, and the confrontation between the two clubs became a prominent title in the English football scene. It is the clash of the biggest and most prestigious clubs in England, with a total of 39 league titles, in addition to many other titles.

3- The Old Firm Derby - Glasgow Rangers and Celtic

The Old Firm Derby - Glasgow Rangers and Celtic

The Old Firm Derby between Glasgow Rangers and Celtic still enjoys a high level of popular following, One of the most famous and oldest derbies in the world and the most controversial. This match brings together the two biggest teams in the city of Glasgow, both with the most titles in the cradle of football. The origins of this rivalry date back to the intense religious conflict that was at its peak in the last century between the Catholic community, to which Celtic fans belong, and the Protestant community represented by Rangers' fans. Despite the decline in the status of the two teams at the European level, the local rivalry remains strong for the league title, which the two teams have dominated with a total of 104 titles out of 122.

2- El Clásico Spain - Real Madrid and Barcelona

El Clásico Spain - Real Madrid and Barcelona

The struggle between the two poles of Spain intensified, especially after Barcelona's revolution in the new century, The world and universe classic and the most watched match of all football matches, represents a struggle between the most successful Spanish clubs and between the cities of Barcelona and Madrid, each carrying a political banner. While Madrid is considered a symbol of Spanish unity, Barcelona carries a long history of struggle for the separation of the Catalan region on its shoulders. Generations of stars have taken part in this match, perhaps the most famous being the rivalry immortalized in the books between Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, which is considered one of the greatest championship races between players.

1- The Super Clasico- River Plate and Boca Juniors

The Super Clasico- River Plate and Boca Juniors

Simply, there is nothing stronger than this match in the world, One of the most famous derbies in the world, the classic of the rich and the poor as most Argentine football fans refer to it, between the two poles of the capital Buenos Aires, the most crowned with titles, or the fierce war that as soon as it ends, the football scene in Argentina turns into something like a battlefield, especially among the lovers of these two clubs. Perhaps the most striking example of this is the continental final that brought the two teams together in 2018 and sparked a great controversy on a global level, until it was finally decided to hold the return match at the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium in the Spanish capital, Madrid, to avoid the anticipated violence between the fans of the two teams.