Top 20 Greatest Football Derbies In The World (2023)

Here are some of the reasons that play an important role in setting up the rivalry required for a classic derby contest.

1) Location

Location is one of the most common reasons to set a big rivalry.

2) Controversy

A controversial event can create great animosity between clubs.

One single event usually isn’t enough to create an enduring rivalry between clubs. However these events often fuel the flames between existing rivals.

Example: Luis Figo became most hated man in Catalonia in 2000 when he moved to Real Madrid

3) Religous

Religious derbies are definitely one of the most passionate in the world.

Example: The greatest example is "Old Firm" derby between Celtic (Catholic) and Rangers (Protestants)

We can number a lot of reasons but those were probably the biggest ones.

I hope you will enjoy reading this great slideshow!

Country: Croatia

League titles: Dinamo 12

Hajduk 6

Eternal derby is a match between the two biggest and most popular Croatian clubs Dinamo Zagreb and Hajduk Split.

This derbies are always full of hates between two clubs which makes sad a lot of people because they were fighting together in war against Serbian aggression.

Interesting, Niko Kranjcar (Tottenham Hotspur) played for both teams. ( Dinamo 2001-2004, Hajduk 2004-2006).

Head to Head

Played: 183

Dinamo Wins: 73

Draws: 46

Hajduk Wins: 64

Country: Scotland

League Titles: Rangers 53

Celtic 42

Old Firm is definitely one of the most popular derbies we ever heard about.

Derby between clubs Celtic and Rangers, both based in Glasgow.

This derby can also be named religious derby as Celtic Catholics while Rangers are Protestants so this religous views bring more fire in this derby.

Head to Head:

Played: 295

Rangers Wins: 155

Draws: 93

Celtic Wins: 140

Country: Turkey

League Titles: Galatasaray 17

Fenerbahce 17

Turkish football rivalry involves their two most successful clubs, Fenerbahce and Galatasaray.

This match developed into an really intense match that attracts large attendance.

Head to Head:

Played:365

Fenerbahce Wins: 139

Draws: 110

Galatasaray Wins: 116

Country: Germany

League Titles: Borussia Dortmund 6

Schalke 04 7

Revierderby is the most famous derby in German football.

it's between Borussia Dortmund and Schalke 04.

Head to Head:

Played: 130

Schalke 04 Wins: 54

Draws: 33

Borussia Dortmund Wins: 45

Country: Spain

League Titles: Real Madrid 31

Barcelona 20

El Clasico is one of the greatest derbies played, maybe even the greatest.

The rivalry comes about as Madrid and Barcelona are the two largest cities in Spain, and the two clubs are the most successful and influential football clubs in the country.

Also this derbies are intensified with opposing political positions (Spanish and Catalan nationalism)

Notable players to play for both teams:

Robert Prosinecki

Michael Laudrup

Luis Enrique

Luis Figo

Ronaldo

Head to Head:

Played: 204

Real Madrid Wins: 83

Draws: 43

Barcelona Wins: 78

Country: Portugal

League Titles: Benfica 32

Porto 24

O Classico is a match between the new power (FC Porto) in Portuguese football versus the traditional strong force (Benfica).

Benfica and Porto are the most successful clubs in Portugal.

Head to Head:

Played: 216

Porto Wins:82

Draws: 53

Benfica Wins:81

Country: England

League Titles: Liverpool 18

Everton 9

The popular Merseyside derby is the name of the match between Everton and Liverpool, the two most successful clubs from the city of Liverpool.

It is the longest currently running top-flight derby in England.

Head to Head:

Played: 213

Liverpool Wins: 85

Draws: 63

Everton Wins: 65

Country: Argentina

League Titles: River Plate 33

Boca Juniors 23

Superclásico is derby between Buenos Aries rivals, Boca Juniors and River Plate.

The Superclásico is known worldwide as one of the fiercest and most important derbies.

River and Boca are the most successful and the most popular clubs in Argentina.

Head to Head:

Played: 314

Boca Wins: 117

Draws: 98

River Wins: 99

Country: Greece

League Titles: Olympiakos 37

Panathinaikos 20

The Derby of the eternal enemies is a football match, between two the most successful clubs in Greece, Olympiacos and Panathinaikos.

This derby has always been a classic for the Greek capital, as well as the whole of Greece, and one of the most well-known rivalries around the world.

Head to Head:

Played: 160

Olympiacos Wins: 55

Draws: 51

Panathinaikos Wins: 34

Country: Brazil

League TItles: Flamengo 6

Fluminese 1

Fla-Flu is a football match between cross-town rivals Flamengo and Fluminese.

The world record football match attendance between clubs is a Fla 0-0 Flu with 194,603 in 1963.

Head to Head:

Played: 373

Flamengo Wins: 135

Draws: 121

Fluminese Wins: 119

Country: Italy

League TItles: Roma 3

Lazio 2

The Derby della Capitale is the local football match between Lazio and Roma.

It is considered to be the fiercest derby in the country ahead of the other major local derbies.

The derby has been historically marked by massive crowds, excitement, violence and – recently – racist banners in the crowd.

Head to Head:

Played: 161

Roma Wins: 58

Draws: 59

Lazio Wins: 44

Country: England

League TItles: Arsenal 13

Tottenham 2

The North London derby is the name of the football local derby between Arsenal and Tottenham.

Rivalry became even bigger when Sol Campbell moved to Arsenal from Tottenham.

Head to Head:

Played: 166

Arsenal Wins: 69

Draws: 46

Tottenham Wins: 51

Country: Portugal

League Titles: Benfica 32

Sporting 18

Derby de Lisboa is a football match between Benfica and Sporting Lisbon.

Sporting fans usually represent the wealthier society from Lisbon, while Benfica fans represent the less favorable society.

Head to Head:

Played:: 282

Benfica Wins: 120

Draws: 104

Sporting Wins: 58

Country: Romania

League Titles: Steaua Buchurest 23

Dinamo Buchurest 18

Romanian eternal derby is a football match between club from the capital city in Romania, Dinamo and Steaua.

They are the biggest and the most popular clubs in Romania.

Head to Head:

Played: 145

Steaua Wins: 48

Draws: 45

Dinamo Wins: 52

Country: England

League TItles: Manchester Untied 18

Liverpool 18

Match between Liverpool and Manchester United is one of the most significant sporting rivalries in football, sometimes referred to as the North West derby.

This two clubs are also the most successful in England.

Players like Gerrard and Giggs that this match is probably the most famous match in England football.

Head to Head:

Played: 179

Manchester Utd Wins: 69

Draws:50

Liverpool Wins: 60

Country: France

League Titles: Marseille 9

PSG 2

Le Classique is a football match contested between Marseille and PSG.

The rivalry comes about as Paris and Marseille are two largest cities in France.

Head to Head:

Played: 74

Marseille Wins: 30

Draws: 19

PSG Wins: 25

Country: Egypt

League TItles: Al Ahly 35

Zamalek 11

Cairo derby is a match between the two most successful clubs in Egypt, Al Ahly and Zamalek.

Numerous fights, injuries and deaths used to be reported before matters became more controlled due to Egypt's authoritative regime.

Head to Head:

Played: 140

El Ahly Wins:57

Draws: 47

Zamalek Wins: 36

Country: Netherlands

League Titles: Ajax 29

Feyenoord 14

De Klassieker is main rivalry in Netherlands. It's between Ajax and Feyenoord.

A lot of violence have been occurred during this derby.

Head to Head:

Played: 163

Ajax Wins: 72

Draws: 38

Feyenoord Wins: 53

Country: Serbia

League Titles: Partizan 11

Red Star 6

Serbian Eternal derby is a match between Partizan and Red Star.

Derby games were always greatly anticipated and quite spectacular.

Head to Head:

Played: 138

Red Star WIns: 57

Draws: 43

Partizan Wins: 38

Country: Italy

League Titles: Inter 18

Milan 17

Derby della Madonnina is local derby between Milan and Inter.

It is one of the most followed derbies in football world.

It is called "Derby della Madonnina" in honour of one of the main sights of the city of Milan, the statue of the Virgin Mary on the top of the Duomo, which is usually called "Madonnina".

Notable players to play for both teams:

Andrea Pirlo

Clarence Seedorf

Hernan Crespo

Dario Simic

Ronaldo

Giueseppe Meazza

Christian Panucci

Head to Head:

Played:273

Milan Wins: 106

Draws: 72

Inter Wins: 96