The top 10 biggest derbies and rivalries in European football, including the Old Firm and Le Classique

One of the most important aspects of football is the emotional connection between fans and their clubs, with both sharing the joy in victory and sadness in defeat.

With that in mind, it is no surprise that the biggest derbies and rivalries in European football spark such intense passion, with friends, families and communities divided down team lines on matchdays.

When the fiercest rivals meet on the pitch, more than just points, progression or silverware is at stake – whoever comes out on top will have the bragging rights over their number one enemy, something that is impossible to put a value on.

These contests in Europe represent some of the biggest matches anywhere in the world, from El Clasico to the Derby della Madonnina, capturing the attention of supporters far beyond city limits and inspiring fans of the beautiful game.

Here, Football Ground Guide covers all you need to know about the top 10 biggest derbies and rivalries in European football.

Celtic vs Rangers – Old Firm

The Old Firm derby is far more than a football match, with the rivalry deeply connected to Scotland’s political, social and religious history.

Although Celtic and Rangers are not political or religious organisations, both clubs have become associated with contrasting identities, creating one of football’s most intense and fiercely contested rivalries.

Celtic have traditionally been linked with Glasgow’s Irish Catholic and nationalist communities, while Rangers have been associated with Protestant and unionist communities, adding a wider cultural significance to their meetings.

This historic divide has contributed to some of the most passionate atmospheres in world football, while also leading to measures such as reduced away allocations in recent years.

Barcelona vs Real Madrid – El Clasico

El Clasico is arguably the most famous club rivalry in world football, bringing together two of the sport’s biggest and most successful institutions.

However, like the Old Firm, the fixture extends beyond the pitch, with Barcelona representing Catalan identity and Real Madrid often viewed as a symbol of Spanish centralism.

The global profile of the rivalry has been amplified by the incredible success of both clubs, as well as the individual battles between legendary players, most notably Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo’s era-defining competition for supremacy.

AC Milan vs Inter Milan – Derby della Madonnina

Derby della Madonnina, also known as the Derby di Milano, is the name given to the clash between Milan's two biggest footballing teams, AC Milan and Inter Milan.

The derby first came about after the split of Milan Football Club in 1908 due to an internal disagreement regarding the signing of foreign players, leading to the foundation of Inter Milan, who broke away with the intention of creating a more international team.

Furthermore, AC Milan have traditionally attracted a more working-class following, with Inter Milan drawing more support from the city's ‘bourgeoisie', meaning there are further sociological subplots to the derby.

As both have also grown to become some of Italy and Europe's most successful clubs, this derby has only continued to grow in stature.

AS Roma vs Lazio – Derby della Capitale

Staying in Italy, Derby della Capitalie, also known as the Derby di Roma, is the clash between Rome-based sides Lazio and Roma.

Lazio were originally founded in 1900 in the upper-class quarter of Rome, while Roma started playing in the working-class area of the city, leading to the Lazio supporters traditionally occupying the northern end and Roma supporters occupying the southern end of their shared stadium – the Stadio Olimpico.

The derby also carries social and political undercurrents, especially with the derby viewed as the two clubs fighting for the right to represent the city in the rest of the country.

As a result, this has historically been one of the most intense and heated derbies in European football, with several incidents of crowd trouble in and around the stadium and city.

Galatasaray vs Fenerbahce – Intercontinental Derby

The Intercontinental Derby is the football match between Galatasaray and Fenerbahce, widely perceived as the biggest match in Turkey between the country's two largest clubs.

The name comes from the fact that the two teams are actually housed in different continents, with Galatasaray based in Istanbul's European side, while Fenerbahce are based in the Asian side, meaning the two represent completely opposing cultures and social fabrics.

The derby has provided some of the fiercest and violent moments off the pitch, while it often provides huge entertainment on the field.

Manchester United vs Liverpool – North West Derby

Unlike several of the derbies on this list, Manchester United vs. Liverpool is not an intra-city rivalry but instead an inter-city derby born from historical economic and industrial factors, as well as the major success of the two clubs.

Manchester United and Liverpool are the two most successful clubs in English football and are widely viewed as two of the biggest teams in world football, leading to this becoming a gargantuan clash.

The two have very rarely been on the same level throughout their history, with the power dynamic often shifting between the pair, but that has not stopped this derby from providing major upsets and entertainment.

Arsenal vs Tottenham Hotspur – North London Derby

The North London derby is the clash between Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur, both of which are based in North London.

Meetings between these two teams have been some of the most viewed games in recent years, and they have become increasingly known for the fierce and fiery matches – often providing a throwback to a more physical era of the game, with crunching tackles and heated confrontations.

Arsenal have dominated the derby, especially in recent years, but that has only added to the hatred between the two sets of fans.

Paris Saint-Germain vs Marseille – Le Classique

Le Classique, also known as Le Derby de France, is the football rivalry between Paris Saint-Germain and Marseille – widely regarded as the biggest match in French football.

There was little indication of a rivalry between the two in the early years following PSG's formation in 1970, but following PSG's first league title in 1986, this quickly grew into one of the biggest rivalries in European football.

Off the pitch, the matchup also carries social significance beyond the sport, often being framed as a contest between France's two biggest cities – Paris and Marseille – as well as the north versus south and centre of political power against the working class.

Partizan Belgrade vs Red Star Belgrade – Eternal Derby

The Eternal Derby, otherwise known as the Belgrade Derby, is the meeting of city rivals Partizan Belgrade and Red Star Belgrade.

Like many of the other biggest rivalries in world football and sport, the derby emerged from political origins, specifically in post-World War II Yugoslavia.

Partizan were linked with the army (Yugoslav People's Army) and Red Star were linked with state institutions and civil authorities (United Alliance of Anti-Fascist Youth).

The derby is known to be one of the most intense and volatile in Europe, partly due to the ultra groups on both sides, with Grobari (Partizan) and Delije (Red Star) creating some of the most intimidating atmospheres that are simply unmatched in many leagues in the world.

Olympiacos vs Panathinaikos – Derby of Eternal Enemies

The Derby of Eternal Enemies, also known among fans as the Mother of All Battles, is the match contested between Olympiacos and Panathinaikos – teams from the two main cities in the major Athens urban area and the two most successful clubs in the country.

Traditionally, Panathinaikos are considered the representative of the high class of the Greek capital, while Olympiacos come from the port city of Piraeus, therefore attracting support from the surrounding working-class areas.

While this social class split has closed over the years, the animosity that it originally created has remained, especially due to the proximity and success of the two clubs.

The Derby of Eternal Enemies has recently become known as one of the maddest matches in European football, including petrol bombs, flares, firecrackers, fights and fires – and that is just within the stadium.