Football has a long history of feuds and rivalries that can come between players, teams, managers, supporters, and fans. As this sport has naturally a higher level of contact between players and teams, it is inevitably filled with rivalries. Shouting at each other or fighting on the field, here’s a look at the biggest feuds in football history.
El Clasico or The Classic is the name given to the two most successful Spanish football clubs; Barcelona and Real Madrid. The greatest rivalry between them has existed for 120 years because they have produced several notable matches over the years.
The rivalry between Inter Milan and Milan AC is one of the biggest in the world and it has existed since the inaugural 1926–1927 season. Despite their fierce rival, the two clubs share the same stadium called the San Siro.
The battle between Manchester City and Manchester United is one of the most bitter in world football. Their first contest was in 1881 and any match between the two clubs refers to the Manchester Derby.
The North West Derby is a high-profile feud between Liverpool and Manchester United. Their bitter historical rivals began on 28 April 1894 when the two teams met in a football league test match.
Celtic Glasgow and Rangers Glasgow are two successful football clubs in Scotland. They got the collective name the Old Firm because of the rivalry between them, which has embedded in Scottish culture.
The clash between Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid is referred to as the Madrid Derby. The origin of their feud dates back to 1903 when Real Madrid was beaten by Atletico Madrid in the Championship of Spain.
Olympique Lyon and Olympique Marseille have clashed in a heated battle since 2000. These two football clubs have produced some fierce meetings for different trophies.
The feud between the two Argentina clubs River Plate and Boca Juniors is considered one of the fiercest, dating back to 1913. SuperClassico is the clash between the two clubs that are both based in the city of Buenos Aires.
The bitter vying between PSG and Marseille was set up in the early 1990s by the two clubs’ managers. Nonetheless, the rivalry between the two cities has existed for decades.
The historic rivalry between Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund has existed for more than 50 years. The feuding has grown since the 1990s because Borussia Dortmund became the leading club, challenging Bayern Munich for the title.
The Turkey football club Galatasaray and Fenerbahce have been rivaling for over a century. The vying between the two teams has affected fans and supporters.
The feud between the two former greatest footballers Pele and Maradona began in the 1980s. The Brazilian former player Pele and the Argentina football legend, Diego Maradona are the ultimate enemies in football history.
The long-standing rivalry between Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi is encouraged by the media and fans. These two greatest players in world football affirmed that despite their on-field rivalry, they have immense respect for each other.
In the 2006 World Cup final, France captain Zinédine Zidane headbutted the Italian player Marco Materazzi in the chest. Zidane accused Materazzi to use slurs against his sister.
The feud between Uruguayan player Luis Suarez and Frenchman Patrice Evra dates back to 2011. The good news is that the former French left-back has long forgiven Suarez.
The quarrel between the Irish player Roy Keane and Norwegian footballer Alfie Haaland exploded in the clash between Leeds United and Manchester United in 1997. Keane ruptured his knee's ligament and accused Haaland of causing the injury.
The long history of the dispute between the two former footballers Marco Materazzi and Zlatan Ibrahimovic days back in 2006. Zlatan Ibrahimovic took revenge on Marco Materazzi by revisiting his Taekwondo kick in 2010.
The squabble between English professional footballers Rio Ferdinand and John Terry over Premier League days back in 2011. Rio Ferdinand accused John Terry to use racist language toward him.
The rivalry between Manchester city coach, Pep Guardiola and AS Roma coach Jose Mourinho never ends. The tension between them began when Mourinho's Inter Milan eliminated FC Barcelona from the Champions League semi-finals in 2010.
