We may have come across some of the most fierce rivalries like a India-Pakistan cricket or hockey game or Mumbai Indians vs Chennai Super Kings game in the IPL. Mohun Bogan and East Bengal FC rivalry in Indian football has been setting the new trends as far as the Indian football is concerned.
These rivalries make the game more interesting and fans crave to buy the tickets and catch the action unfold from the stadium which sometimes turn into a battle ground for the crazy fans. On that note, here’s a look at top rivalries in sports.
10- San Fransisco Giants and Los Angeles Dodgers (American baseball)
A long time ago both the clubs were based in New York city. Both teams moved their fortress to other places in California but the inter city rivalry turned into a cross state rivalry. This fierce rivalry has continued since 1890.
9- Arsenal vs Tottenham Hotspur(Club football)
The rivalry between these two Premier league side started in 1913 when the former team moved locations from Plumstead to Highbury in North London. Spurs supporters saw Arsenal supporters moving in on their turf which only intensified the rivalry.
8- Australia vs New Zealand (Rugby)
The two trans Tasman countries have shared rivalries in politics, entertainment and sport. On the field, Rugby has been creating a lot of buzz. The crazy fans are more responsible for creating this rivalry.
7- Argentina vs Brazil(International football)
This is the most fiercest rivalry between two of the most dominant South American national teams. The rivalry became fierce since the time of Pele and Maradona. While Pele played for Brazil, Maradona played for Argentina. In today’s era, Brazil has Neymar and Argentina has Lionel Messi.
6- Liverpool vs Manchester United (Club football)
These two clubs from North West of England are the two most successful sides in the EPL history. But with the best comes the fierce rivalry to overtake each other. United have maintained a good record over their rivals in domestic tournaments while the Liverpool enjoys success over them in European leagues.
5- Roger Federer vs Rafael Nadal(Tennis)
Two of the best tennis stars of this era share a fierce rivalry with each other. An ardent tennis fan will hope to see their final at a grand slam tournament.
4- India vs Pakistan(Cricket)
Ashes may be the biggest cricket rivalry but India Pakistan clash in no less than a war for the fans on either side of the border. Winning a game against their opponents is liking grabbing the bragging rights and trolling the losing team on social media. The rivalry started during the time of India-Pakistan partition in 1947 and the controversial issue of Kashmir has added fuel to the power.
Though Pakistan is way ahead that India in head to head, the men in blue have a clinical win record of 7-0 in the cricket world cup history.
3- Boston Red Sox vs New York Yankees (American baseball)
The rivalry started in 1919 when Boston Red Sox owner Harry Frazee sold a babe ruth to fund a broadway musical. For the next 86 years, Boston didn’t win anything and Yankees became a superpower in American baseball. New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani announced his support for the Red Sox during his 2007 presidential campaign in New Hampshire. One of New York daily termed him as a “traitor”.
2- Australia vs England (Cricket)
The fierce rivalry has continued from 125+ years and it started with Australia’s 1882 victory at The Oval, their first Test win on English soil. The obituary stated that English cricket had died, and “the body will be cremated and the ashes taken to Australia”. It was a real shocker for England to lose on their home soil to a home team who were ruled by them at a point of time.
The mythical ashes immediately became associated with the 1882–83 series played in Australia, before which the English captain Ivo Bligh had vowed to “regain those ashes”. The English media therefore dubbed the tour the quest to regain the Ashes.
1- Barcelona vs Real Madrid (Club football)
You can’t get a better rivalry that this. The two LA Liga giants share fierce rivalry from ages which became more fierce when Ronaldo played for Real Madrid. Whenever Real Madrid and Barcelona meet in the league, the match is titled El Clasico.
