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Best NBA Duos Of All Time – Teammates Who Dominated the League

#10 – John Stockton and Karl Malone (Utah Jazz)

NBA titles: 0
NBA Finals appearances: 2

Karl Malone and John Stockton are the greatest duo in NBA history that never won an NBA title. Despite the lack of championships, they are members of the Hall of Fame who posed a nightmare for many NBA teams in the 80s and 90s thanks to their incredible chemistry and teamwork. They arguably had the best pick-and-roll execution in NBA history.

Malone and Stockton played for 18 years in the Utah Jazz, and they made the playoffs every year. Under their leadership, the Utah Jazz was a mighty team behind Karl’s scoring prowess and Stockton’s otherworldly passing abilities. Karl Malone is the 3rd all-time scorer in the NBA, while Stockton is the 1st in career assists in the league’s history.

Even though Stockton and Malone are among the best duos in the NBA, they played at a time when there were better duos. In the 80s, they couldn’t beat Abdul-Jabbar and Magic from the Lakers and McHale and Bird from the Celtics. As for the ’90s, Malone and Stockton fought valiantly against the Jordan and Pippen-led Bulls in two NBA finals but ultimately lost both of them.

John Stockton and Karl Malone might not have lifted the Larry O’Brien Championship trophy, but no one can deny that these two are among the best duos in basketball history.

#9 – Jerry West and Wilt Chamberlain (LA Lakers)

Elgin Baylor, Wilt Chamberlain, and Jerry West, LA Lakers — Elgin Baylor, Wilt Chamberlain, and Jerry West.
*Image taken from YouTube.*

NBA titles: 1
NBA Finals appearances: 4

The next legendary NBA duo is comprised of the most dominant center of his era, Wilt Chamberlain, and the man on the NBA’s logo, Jerry West. From joining the league in 1960 until 1968, West led the Lakers to five NBA Finals but won none since the team from LA lost every time to the unstoppable Celtics, whom Bill Russell led. As for Chamberlain, he won one NBA title with the Philadelphia 76ers before joining the Lakers and Jerry West in 1968.

When West and Chamberlain finally started playing together, they were a sight to behold. Chamberlain was the masterful scorer and rebounder, while West was the one who was dishing top-notch assists.

Although West and Chamberlain played tremendously for the Lakers, the playoffs were almost always challenging for them. In 1969, they got to the NBA Finals, but Bill Russell and the Celtics barely beat them 4-3. Next year, Chamberlain and West carried the Lakers again to the finals, but the New York Knicks beat them.

Finally, in 1972, this duo won an NBA title against the Knicks, avenging their loss two years before. Chamberlain was the Finals MVP, and this duo averaged almost 40 PPG during those finals. In 1973, West and Chamberlain had stellar performances and made it to the Finals, but the Knicks beat them.

West and Chamberlain played together for five seasons and will always be remembered as one of the best duos ever in the NBA.

#8 – Dwayne Wade and Lebron James (Miami Heat)

NBA titles: 2
NBA Finals appearances: 4

The next duo on this list played only four seasons together, but in that short period, they managed to accomplish so much. This duo consisted of one of the most dominant small forwards ever, Lebron James, and Dwayne Wade, who was an exceptional guard in his prime. Before they played together, Lebron was the main player for the Cleveland Cavaliers, while Wade played in Miami from 2003 and even won an NBA title. Despite the fact that this duo was short-lived, their chemistry on the court was incredible.

Their first season was tough, but soon after, they took the league by storm. Wade and James made it to the Finals in 2011, but they were beaten by the Dallas Mavericks 4-2, who were led by NBA veterans Jason Kidd and Dirk Nowitzki.

In 2012, they almost swept the Oklahoma City Thunder with a 4-1 win in the Finals. The next year, they faced the mighty Spurs, but the Wade-James connection was strong, and they prevailed in the Finals by beating the Spurs 4-3.

In 2014, in their fourth consecutive Finals, the Miami Heat were obliterated by the Spurs 4-1. Even though Wade has always been the legend of the Miami Heat, James was the more dominant player who claimed two Finals MVP awards in 2012 and 2013. In 2012, James averaged an incredible 28.6 PPG, while in 2013, he averaged 25.3 PPG

The pair reunited in 2017 in Cleveland Cavaliers.

#7 – Tony Parker and Tim Duncan (San Antonio Spurs)

NBA titles: 4
NBA Finals appearances: 5

Tony Parker and Tim Duncan hold the no.7 spot on the list of the best NBA duos in history. Under the legendary coach Gregg Popovich’s leadership, this pair won 4 NBA Championships between 2003 and 2014. Tim Duncan has played for the San Antonio Spurs since 1997, when he was chosen as the Spurs’ 1st pick in the NBA Draft. On the other hand, Tony Parker joined the Spurs in 2001 when they selected him as the 28th pick in the first round of the 2001 NBA Draft. Parker and Duncan worked perfectly together, growing the Spurs into a mighty dynasty.

In 2003, young Parker and Duncan won the Finals series against the Nets 4-2, and Duncan was the Finals MVP, averaging 24.2 PPG. Then, in 2005, Duncan, Parker, and the rest of the Spurs performed amazingly against the tough Detroit Pistons. Duncan was yet again the MVP. Their next NBA title came when they swept the James-led Cavaliers 4-0, and this time, Parker was the Finals MVP, averaging 24.5 PPG and 3.3 APG.

The aging Duncan and Parker won their last NBA title in 2014 against the then-favored Miami Heat by beating them 4-1 in the Finals series.

Parker and Duncan didn’t make many flashy plays, as they’ve mostly relied on fundamental plays, but it’s undeniable that this pair was one of the best in NBA history.

#6 – Kevin McHale and Larry Bird (Boston Celtics)

NBA titles: 3
NBA Finals appearances: 5

Larry Bird and Kevin McHale deserve to be included in this list of the top 10 best NBA duos ever. However, I must also mention Robert Parish and Cedric Maxwell since they were also highly important players of the Celtics dynasty in the 1980s.

McHale and Bird were a rare duo who were strong enough to overpower the 80s “Showtime” Lakers, showcasing a display of elite offensive skills that you couldn’t see every day. McHale was a superb power forward with great footwork and post moves, while Bird was a top-of-the-line shooter who could score shots from any position on the court.

McHale and Bird won their first NBA Finals in 1981 when they beat the Rockets 4-2, led by Moses Malone. In 1984, they faced the Magic-led LA Lakers and beat them in a 7-game thriller. Bird was the Finals MVP, averaging an incredible 27.4 PPG along with 14.0 boards per game. In 1986, McHale and Bird were sensational when they beat the Rockets 4-2, who were led by Hakeem “The Dream” Olajuwon. McHale averaged 25.8 PPG in the Finals, while Bird, who was the Finals MVP, averaged 24.0 PPG, 9.7 RPG, and 9.5 APG.

The pair appeared in the 1985 and 1987 NBA Finals when they lost against the LA Lakers 4-2 in the series on both occasions.

#5 – Steph Curry and Klay Thompson (Golden State Warriors)

NBA titles: 4
NBA Finals appearances: 6

Also known as “The Splash Brothers,” Klay Thompson and Steph Curry are among the finest modern-day duos in the NBA. These two revolutionized how the game is played nowadays. Curry and Thompson inspired other players in the NBA to make three-point shots more often. They were named the Splash Bros because of their excellent and precise three-point shooting. Moreover, the numbers speak for themselves. Curry is the all-time NBA leader in 3-pointers, while Thompson is 7th on that list. This pair created a powerful dynasty for the Warriors by winning 4 NBA championships.

Their first title came in 2015 when they won the Finals 4-2 against the Cavaliers, where the main player was none other than Lebron James. In 2016, the Cavaliers avenged their loss and beat the Warriors in the NBA Finals, but the Warriors had their last say by beating the Cavaliers in back-to-back Finals in 2017 and 2018. Although Kevin Durant was the Finals MVP in both of those Finals, clutch performances by Thompson and Curry were of great importance for winning the titles.

In 2022, Curry and Thompson, now NBA veterans, won the NBA championship by beating the Celtics. The Finals MVP was Curry, who came in clutch in the series by averaging 31.2 PPG, 6.0 RPG, and 5.0 APG. Meanwhile, Klay averaged 17.0 PPG in the finals series.

#4 – Bob Cousy and Bill Russell (Boston Celtics)

NBA titles: 6
NBA Finals appearances: 7

In the late 50s and through the 60s, there was one duo who beat almost everyone who stood in their way. Bob Cousy and Bill Russell were a match made in heaven. Cousy was the incredible playmaker who was dishing assists from anywhere on the court, and also his ball-handling skills were out of this world.

Because of his high-quality skills with the ball, Cousy was nicknamed “The Houdini of the Hardwood.” On the other hand, the giant Bill Russell was one of the best players this game has ever seen. He could score the ball, make rebounds, and block shots.

Cousy and Russell played together in 7 NBA Finals and only lost one in 1958 to St. Louis Hawks. They beat St. Louis on three occasions, in 1957, 1960 and 1961. Besides the Hawks, they also won 3 NBA titles against the Lakers, in 1959, when they were called the Minneapolis Lakers, and in 1962 and 1963, when they were called the Los Angeles Lakers. Cousy retired in 1963, and Bill Russell continued to win five titles for the Celtics until he retired in 1969.

#3 – Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O’Neal (LA Lakers)

NBA titles: 3
NBA Finals appearances: 4

Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O’Neal were among the best duos to ever step on the NBA hardwood. This pair was terrifying because Kobe was a lethal shooter who could score jump shots, 3-point shots, layups, and every shot you could imagine with immense precision. On the other hand, there was the 300-pound behemoth Shaq, who could score against anyone in the paint and dunk with authority over the biggest centers in the NBA.

This duo led the Los Angeles Lakers to three consecutive titles at the beginning of the 2000s. In 2000, the team from LA faced the Indiana Pacers and won 4-2 in the series. A year later, the 76ers, led by the fantastic point guard Allen Iverson, played against the Lakers but lost 4-1.

The final championship that Bryant and Shaq won was against the Nets when they swept them 4-0 in the finals. In all of the mentioned finals, Shaq was the MVP. He put up monstrous performances, averaging over 30 PPG in all three finals series. On the other hand, the then-young Kobe was also fantastic, especially in the 2002 NBA Finals, when he averaged 26.8 PPG, 5.8 RPG, and 5.3 APG.

The partnership between Shaq and Kobe ended on a sour note when they lost the 2004 NBA Finals against the Pistons. After those finals, their relationship came to an end since they had conflicts regularly. Eventually, Shaq left the team in 2004. Even though this duo was short-lived, it’s still one of the most superior in modern-day NBA basketball.

#2 – Magic Johnson and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (LA Lakers)

NBA titles: 5
NBA Finals appearances: 8

When LA Lakers decided to sign Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, who was the best center and the scorer in the league, and pair him with Magic Johnson, who was possibly the greatest passer and point guard in basketball history, they couldn’t have made a better decision. They complemented each other perfectly. Magic was a superb passer whose precise bounce passes often ended up in Kareem’s hands, who would then finish the play in the paint with either a layup or a dunk.

This duo played together for a decade, made 8 Finals appearances, and won 5 NBA titles.

The first title was won in 1979 when the rookie Magic Johnson and Kareem destroyed the Philadelphia 76ers 4-2. Magic won the Finals MVP, and he’s the only rookie in NBA history who’s done that. LA Lakers beat the 76ers again in the 1982 NBA Finals. The following two titles were won against the amazing Boston Celtics in 1985 and 1987.

The last championship Kareem and Magic won together was in 1988, when they won against the Pistons and one of the best duos in the game, Dumars and Thomas.

Kareem was the Finals MVP 2 times, while Magic won the award three times. Johnson finished his career as the all-time leader in assists, while Abdul-Jabbar was the all-time point leader.

#1 – Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen (Chicago Bulls)

NBA titles: 6
NBA Finals appearances: 6

Undeniably, the best duo in NBA history consisted of possibly two of the best players who’ve ever worn the Chicago Bulls jersey—Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen. The ’90s Bulls dominated the league and lifted 6 NBA trophies, and despite the fact that MJ was their greatest player, he wouldn’t have been able to achieve greatness without the help of Scottie Pippen.

This duo was a perfect match on the court. While Michael Jordan was the scorer who knew how to finish plays, Scottie was the playmaker.

This pair won two three-peats. They won the first three NBA titles in 1991, 1992, and 1993. In 1991, MJ, Pippen, and the Bulls nearly swept the “Showtime” Lakers by winning the series 4-1. Next year, Drexler and the Portland Trail Blazers went against MJ and Pippen and lost 4-2. In 1993, the Bulls beat the Phoenix Suns.

Jordan was the MVP in all three Finals. His best performance in the first three-peat was when he managed to score an unbelievable 41.0 PPG. Scottie, on the other hand, was best in the 1993 Finals, when he put up 21.2 PPG.

Jordan retired in 1993 but decided to return in 1996. Then came the second three-peat. In 1996, the Bulls wrecked the Supersonics 4-2 in the NBA Finals. In the 1997 and 1998 NBA Finals, MJ and Scottie Pippen faced the Stockton-Malone duo from the Jazz and won back-to-back titles. Jordan was the Finals MVP in the second-three peat.

Pippen and Jordan are deservingly the best duo on the list since they played in 6 NBA Finals and won them all.

Featured image taken from YouTube.

Best English Footballers – Creating the Top 11 Of All-Time

GK – Gordon Banks

National team career span: 1963 – 1972
Caps: 73

The best English goalkeeper of all time is the legendary Gordon Banks. He was truly incredible during his prime, stopping shots right and left. His skill set earned him the FIFA Goalkeeper of the Year award six years in a row.

Banks had outstanding reflexes and a superb ability to organize his defense, which he demonstrated perfectly at the 1966 World Cup when England won the tournament.

His most spectacular save was when he swiftly dived to his right side and stopped a header from Pele at the 1970 World Cup. Pele even said that he shouted, “Goal!” since he was sure the ball would end up in the back of the net. During his time with the England national team, he kept 35 clean sheets.

As for his club career, Banks mostly played for Leicester City and Stoke City, while he also had short stints at Chesterfield, Fort Lauderdale Strikers, Hellenic, and St Patrick’s Athletic.

RB – Gary Neville

National team career span: 1995 – 2007
Caps: 85

The next player in England’s best lineup ever is none other than the best right-back who has ever played for this country—Gary Neville. During his time in England, Neville was the first choice for the right-back position, and he made appearances for his country in 1998 and the 2006 World Cup. He was supposed to play for the Three Lions at the 2002 World Cup, but an injury left him on the sidelines.

Neville was part of England’s “Golden Generation,” which should’ve won major trophies, given the superb players in the starting XI, such as Scholes, Gerrard, Lampard, Beckham, Rooney, and so on. Neville is also the most capped English right back.

Besides being the best English right back, he was also the no.1 choice in his position at Manchester United. Neville played for the Red Devils for almost two decades, winning every major trophy imaginable. He lifted the Champions League trophy 2 times and 12 times the Premier League trophy. He was also an integral part of United’s treble-winning team of the 1998/99 season.

CB – Rio Ferdinand

National team career span: 1997 – 2011
Caps: 81
Goals: 3

It was challenging to decide who to partner up with Moore in this lineup since there are many superb center-backs to choose from, like Terry, Adams, and Campbell. Ultimately, I’ve decided to go with Rio Ferdinand, one of the most legendary center-backs who played for the England national football team.

Throughout his career, Ferdinand wasn’t just one of the best English center-backs; he was among the greatest defenders in the world. He proudly represented his country in the 1998, 2002, and 2006 World Cups. Even though he’s seen plenty of action while playing in World Cups, he missed out on playing for England in UEFA EURO tournaments.

Regarding his club career, Ferdinand was at the peak of his abilities while playing for Manchester United from 2002 until 2014. He won 6 Premier League titles alongside 1 Champions League trophy while being a part of the Red Devils. Besides playing for Manchester United, Ferdinand boasted the likes of Leeds United, Queens Park Rangers, and West Ham.

CB – Bobby Moore

National team career span: 1962 – 1973
Caps: 108
Goals: 2

This lineup has to include the greatest captain England has ever had—Bobby Moore. He was also the greatest English center-back, who won the 1966 World Cup with his national team. Moore was the backbone of England’s defense in that tournament and became a national hero for helping his country lift the World Cup trophy.

Many world-class football players like Pele and Beckenbauer said that Moore was undoubtedly the best defender they’ve ever faced. Moore had impressive tackling and passing skills, but his main strength was his incredible ability to predict the movement of the opposing players.

Besides his appearance in the 1966 World Cup, Moore played in the 1970 World Cup. Unfortunately, England finished that tournament, losing 3-2 in the quarter-finals against West Germany.

As for his club career, Moore was in his prime as a West Ham United player since he won the European Cup Winners’ Cup trophy in 1965 and the FA Cup in 1964 with this London side. Moore also played for Fulham, Herning Fremad, Seattle Sounders, etc.

LB – Ashley Cole

National team career span: 2001 – 2014
Caps: 107

Ashley Cole is the left-back on the best England football team in history. Although many players in England’s “Golden Generation ” didn’t meet expectations, that can’t be said for Ashley Cole.

Thanks to his lightning-fast pace and ability to read the game, he had many players in his pocket throughout his career. Even though Cole wasn’t a goal scorer, he was a threat to opposing teams because of his speed and precise passes. He played in three World Cups and two UEFA EURO competitions for England.

In his career as a club player, Cole was well-known for being the no.1 left-back at Chelsea and Arsenal. While playing for the Gunners, he lifted 2 Premier League trophies and 3 FA Cups. As for his time at Chelsea, Cole won 1 Premier League title, 4 FA Cups, 1 Champions League trophy, and 1 Europa League trophy. Apart from playing in those two London clubs, Cole spent the final years as a footballer in Roma, La Galaxy, and Derby County.

RM – David Beckham

National team career span: 1996 – 2009
Caps: 115
Goals: 17

There were many players who could’ve filled this position, but the right choice would be David Beckham. In the “Golden Generation” of English football players, Beckham was arguably the best of the lot. He was an otherworldly passer with a knack for scoring outstanding free kicks.

His most notable goal was a sensational free-kick against Greece in 2001 that sent England to the 2002 World Cup, where they were eventually knocked out in the quarter-finals by the star-studded Brazil team. Beckham was hated for a long time by English fans because of his red card against the Argentinians at the 1998 World Cup, which fans blamed as the main reason England had to pack their bags and head home.

Despite being hated by fans, Beckham regularly attended England’s international games, amassing 115 caps and appearing in three World Cups.

Besides being the star of the England national team, he was the star player for Manchester United. While being a part of the Red Devils, Beckham appeared in over 450 games and scored 99 goals. With United, he won numerous trophies, including 6 Premier League titles, 1 Champions League trophy, and 2 FA Cup titles. Throughout his career, Beckham played for Real Madrid, LA Galaxy, and AC Milan.

CM – Bobby Charlton

*An illustration of the Manchester United team in 1960 (Charlton is on the far right of the back row)*.

National team career span: 1958 – 1970
Caps: 106
Goals: 49

Bobby Charlton isn’t just one of the greatest English players, he’s one of the best footballers who has ever set foot on a pitch. He was a soccer legend who made his debut for England only a couple of weeks after the tragic Munich Air Crash in 1958 when eight Manchester United players and three referees sadly lost their lives.

Bobby mostly played in the central midfield, but he was also an attacking midfielder who scored 49 goals for his country and was the third-best scorer ever for England. His most memorable appearance was in the semi-finals at the 1966 World Cup, when he bagged two goals against the Eusebio-led Portugal. Also, he was an instrumental figure in the finals of that tournament against Germany, when England demolished them 4 -2. Charlton appeared in 4 World Cups while playing for the Three Lions.

Aside from being an important soccer player for England, Charlton was the star footballer of Manchester United. While at the Red Devils, he appeared in 758 games and netted 249 goals. He’s the second player with most appearances for United, after Giggs. Charlton won many trophies with United, but the most notable were 3 Premier League titles and 1 European Champion Clubs’ Cup trophy.

Charlton also played for Preston North End, Waterford, and Perth Azzurri.

CM – Paul Gascoigne

National team career span: 1988 – 1998
Caps: 57
Goals: 10

Paul Gascoigne, nicknamed “Gazza,” was one of the most talented English soccer players. He certainly deserves to fill the central midfield spot in England’s all-time XI. He was an excellent playmaker whose creativity made him one of the most thrilling players on the pitch.

At the 1990 World Cup semi-finals against West Germany, Gazza became the nation’s hero when he started crying after getting a yellow card that meant he couldn’t play in the finals if England won. Gazza’s performance after getting booked was phenomenal, but England lost on penalties.

He scored ten goals for England, but the most memorable was at the 1996 EURO when Gascoigne scored a masterful volley against Scotland. His time on the national team ended after an unfortunate event: he wasn’t chosen for the 1998 World Cup squad after eating kebabs a week before the selection. After hearing about this decision made by England’s manager, Glenn Hoddle, Gascoigne destroyed Hoddle’s hotel room.

Regarding his club career, Gascoigne played for many teams like Newcastle United, Tottenham Hotspur, Lazio, Burnley, Everton, and so on.

Gazza was a player riddled with controversy, but no one can deny that he was among the finest English players in history.

LM – Steven Gerrard

National team career span: 2000 – 2014
Caps: 114
Goals: 21

This wouldn’t be England’s best lineup in history if I left out the great Steven Gerrard. He’s undeniably among the best midfielders in the world in his generation. One of the main reasons why he’s a part of this lineup is his immense leadership, super-sharp passes, and ability to score sensational long-range shots.

With 114 caps, he’s the fourth player with the most appearances for England’s national soccer team. Gerrard represented England at three World Cups and three UEFA EURO tournaments and was the team’s captain from 2010 until 2014.

Besides his international career, Gerrard played for the better part of his playing days as a Liverpool player, where he reached the status of an icon. During his time with the Reds, Gerrard lifted many trophies, but he’s most proud of the 2005 Champions League trophy. In 17 years while playing for Liverpool, Gerrard amassed 710 appearances and bagged 186 goals. In 2015, he left to play for LA Galaxy, where he ended his illustrious career in 2016.

ST – Wayne Rooney

National team career span: 2003 – 2018
Caps: 120
Goals: 53

Wayne Rooney was a once-in-a-generation footballer who left a tremendous mark in the history of this beautiful game. The most fascinating thing about Rooney wasn’t only that he was the youngest-ever player (17 years and 111 days) who debuted for England’s national team. It was also the fact that he scored a goal 216 days after his debut and became England’s youngest goalscorer. Wayne was a superb striker who was fast, strong, and had great technique with the ball.

At the EURO 2004, Rooney became a young superstar who bagged four goals in three matches. He played at the 2006, 2010, and 2014 World Cups and in the EURO 2012, too. Even though Rooney was a great goalscorer for England, he often had issues with poor form and injuries.

Regarding his club career, he’s mostly known for being a Manchester United player. He played for the Red Devils for 13 years, appearing in 559 matches and scoring 253 goals. Rooney lifted 1 Champions League trophy alongside 5 Premier League titles. Besides Man United, he also played for Everton, D.C. United, and Derby County.

ST – Gary Lineker

National team career span: 1984 – 1992
Caps: 80
Goals: 48

England’s all-time XI lineup wouldn’t be complete if I didn’t include one of the best strikers that this country has ever produced—Gary Lineker. He was a one-of-a-kind forward and a lethal finisher who managed to score four goals in two different games for England. He proudly represented his country in 2 World Cups and 2 UEFA EURO competitions.

His best tournament was the 1986 World Cup, where he was the no.1 scorer with six goals. Three of those goals came against Poland in the group stages, when he recorded the fastest hat-trick in World Cup history. It took him only 20 minutes to complete the hat-trick. Lineker also starred in the 1990 World Cup, netting four goals.

Lineker’s national team career had a pretty sour end. In 1992, England was playing a friendly against Brazil, and Lineker was really close to breaking Charlton’s 49-goal record, but he missed a penalty in that game. Later that year, manager Taylor substituted him versus Sweden at the EURO 1992 and denied Lineker an opportunity to break the record. That was his last game for England.

As for his club career, he boasted the likes of Leicester City, Tottenham Hotspur, and Everton. Gary also played for Barcelona, where he lifted the biggest trophy of his career—The European Cup Winners’ Cup in 1989. During his playing days, Lineker scored close to 300 goals.

Featured image taken from YouTube.

10 Biggest Football Rivalries in the World – Most Notorious Football Derbies

#10 – Red Star Belgrade vs Partizan Belgrade

One of the most fierce football rivalries in the world is played between two Serbian clubs—Red Star Belgrade and Partizan Belgrade. This derby is one of the most heated derbies in the entire European continent and definitely deserves a spot on the list of the largest football rivalries.

Called the “Eternal Derby,” this heated rivalry began when Red Star and Partizan were founded in 1945. Many soccer fans in Serbia eagerly await this derby each year. Although there are fans who behave in the stands, there are fanatical groups of both teams that love to get into a fight from time to time.

Moreover, supporters of both clubs make some quite impressive smoke torch shows and are also the loudest in the whole of Europe.

Partizan and Red Star have played some impressive matches and scored many games against one another. However, the biggest win and the one with the most goals goes to Partizan when they beat Red Star 7-1 in 1953.

#9 – Olympiacos vs Panathinaikos

Next up on the list is the legendary clash between two of Greece’s biggest football clubs: Olympiacos and Panathinaikos. Nicknamed “Derby of Eternal Enemies,” this clash between two clubs from Athens guarantees these teams will put on a show.

This rivalry was first based on class differences between the two clubs. Panathinaikos, which is located in Athens, represents the rich or the upper class, while Olympiacos, who are located in the port city of Piraeus, represents the lower or working class. Nevertheless, today, supporters of all classes make the fanbases of these two fiery rivals.

The players of both clubs often push themselves to their limits to secure a victory. Moreover, the passionate atmosphere of this iconic derby sometimes gets too heated, and the fans engage in acts of violence.

Both Olympiacos and Panathinaikos have emerged as victors of the derby many times over the years. Still, the most remarkable win of all was achieved by Olympiacos when they beat their rivals 6-1.

#8 – Roma vs Lazio

The battle of Roman football giants is played between two famous Italian soccer clubs, Roma and Lazio. The “Derby della Capitale” is one of the most notorious football derbies in Europe, representing one of the biggest football rivalries on the planet. Lazio and Roma first encountered each other in 1929. Ever since then, they have competed for the title of the best soccer club in Rome.

During their numerous clashes, fights often broke out in the crowds. Moreover, fans often continued their disputes on the streets of Italy’s capital city. The ones who participate in these fights are the ultras or the fanatical supporters of both clubs, who often displayed controversial symbols and flags in the past.

Interestingly, these football clubs share one stadium, the Stadio Olimpico, which is quite unusual since many rival clubs from small cities play in different stadiums.

Roma and Lazio have played against each other for almost a century, and they beat one another on multiple occasions. However, the biggest win in the derby was accomplished in 1933, when Roma destroyed Lazio 5-0.

#7 – Schalke vs Borussia Dortmund

Even though Bayern Munich is the most famous club in Germany, it is not involved in the country’s biggest derby. The biggest derby is played between teams located in the Ruhr region—Borussia Dortmund and Bayern Munich. This rivalry dates from 1925, making it one of the oldest derbies in Europe.

The “Revierderby” is legendary and mostly known for countless iconic moments, memorable players, and action-packed games. Also known as the “mother of all derbies,” the rivalry between Borussia and Schalke is ultimately built on mutual respect between the clubs. The best example was when Schalke helped Borussia in 1974 when the club battled with debt after being relegated to a lower level of competition.

These two clubs have had their fair share of hard-fought battles. One of the most memorable matches was in 1966 when Borussia Dortmund thrashed Schalke 7:0.

#6 – Liverpool vs Manchester United

The next iconic derby on the list of the most famous football rivalries in the world is the “North West Derby.” This is a legendary derby in which two of the most decorated football clubs clash—Liverpool and Manchester United.

Both Liverpool and Manchester United have won many Premier League titles and European Cups. The cities of Manchester and Liverpool weren’t just well known for competing against each other in football. They were also rivals in an industrial, cultural, and economic sense.

Ever since these football clubs collided for the first time in 1894, they would always put on a show. In more than 120 years of rivalry, Liverpool and Man United have recorded a lot of victories in this derby. But, the one that will forever be remembered is when Liverpool demolished Man United 7-0 in 2023.

Throughout the history of the rivalry between the Reds and the Red Devils, many feuds regarding managers and players spiced things up between these English football titans. Moreover, there have been numerous cases of fights between the passionate fans of the clubs, both in the stands and outside of the stadiums.

#5 – Fenerbahçe vs Galatasaray

Fenerbahçe vs Galatasaray 1913–1914 — *Fenerbahçe SK and Galatasaray SK 1913–1914*.

The derby between Turkish clubs Galatasaray and Fenerbahçe is one of the biggest rivalries in football. Known as the Intercontinental Derby, this is probably the most important match in Turkish football. It’s known as “intercontinental” because they are located on different continents.

Fenerbahçe is located in the Asian part of Turkey’s capital city, Istanbul. Galatasaray is in the European part of Istanbul. The supporters of both clubs can’t tolerate one another since they also have cultural differences because Galatasaray is a club made for the upper echelon of society. At the same time, Fenerbahçe is a lower or middle-class club.

The rivalry began in 1909, and since then, the match between these two clubs has developed into one of the most fierce derbies in not just Europe but in the whole world. The match that fueled the rivalry between these two clubs was played in 1934. That was meant to be a friendly game between Fenerbahçe and Galatasaray. But, it turned out to be a gruesome encounter. The game was paused more than a few times because of hard fouls. Eventually, the referee had to stop the game.

These Turkish football titans have played many times against each other, but the most incredible match was played in 1911 when Galatasaray put on a show and beat Fenerbahçe 7-0.

#4 – AC Milan vs Inter Milan

Probably one of the greatest fixtures in football is the clash between the finest two clubs in Italy—Inter Milan and AC Milan. The derby is named Derby Della Madonnina because of the Virgin Mary’s statue, which is to be situated on the top of the Duomo, Milan’s Cathedral. The statue’s name is “Madonnina.”

These two clubs share the stadium, but both clubs name it differently. The fans of Inter Milan call it “Giuseppe Meazza,” while the supporters of AC Milan call it “San Siro.” From 1909, they battle for the title of Milan’s biggest club. Just like in the case of many other derbies, this one is also based on class differences. Inter Milan is known as the people’s club, while AC Milan attracts the upper class.

This combative rivalry has made some iconic moments, and one of the most memorable is when they played against each other in the Champions League in 2005. The fans from both sides caused so much commotion and chaos, that the match had to be stopped.

When we talk about notable clashes between AC Milan and Inter Milan, the most legendary one was when AC Milan brutally beat Inter in a 6-0 blowout in 2001.

#3 – Boca Juniors vs River Plate

Roberto Mouzo and Ramón Díaz during a 1981 Superclásico. — *Roberto Mouzo and Ramón Díaz* *during a 1981* *Superclásico*.

The clash between River Plate and Boca Juniors is known as the most anticipated event for soccer fans in Argentina. Known across the globe as “The Superclasico,” this derby is probably the most violent of any on this top 10 list of football’s biggest rivalries. When translated from Spanish to English, “Superclasico” means “Super derby.”

Both River Plate and Boca Juniors come from Buenos Aires, and since 1913, they have competed to see who’s the no.1 in Argentina’s capital city. Class differences mostly cause the rivalry. These teams began to divide when River Plate went to a richer part of Buenos Aires. Because of that, supporters of Boca named them “Milionairos. Boca’s fans represent the working class, while River’s fans represent upper-class citizens.

This derby has seen numerous acts of violence but unfortunate events as well, like the following. In 1968, the most horrific derby between these clubs was when 71 fans were murdered, and over 100 supporters were injured when they were trying to exit the stadium.

Boca Juniors and River Plate rivalry is more than 100 years old, and they played many fascinating matches when they faced each other. However, the most memorable of all was when Boca beat River 6-0 in 1928.

#2 – Celtic vs Rangers

Rangers vs Celtic is the 2nd on the list of the best rivalries in football. These two clubs hold the most trophies out of all clubs in Scotland and also have the biggest fan bases. Nicknamed “The Old Firm” this derby between Rangers and Celtic is one of the oldest in football and dates back to 1888. What’s fascinating about this fierce rivalry is that the fans of these two clubs don’t just hate each other on the football stands. They also can’t stand each other off the pitch.

This derby is mostly based on religious differences since Celtic fans are in the part of the city where people are of Catholic faith, and the Rangers fans are in the part of the city where people are of Protestant faith.

The match between these two Scottish football titans has a history of numerous violent incidents. The biggest incident happened in 1980 after the Scottish Cup finals. Fans of the two teams invaded the pitch and started fighting with wooden staves and iron bars. The mounted police entered the pitch, and they made over 200 arrests that day.

Celtic and Rangers played numerous interesting matches over the years. The one that will always be remembered is when Celtic demolished their Glasgow Rivals, Rangers, 7-1 in 1957.

#1 – Barcelona vs Real Madrid

*Cover of Marca newspaper describing the 11-1 win over Barcelona.*

The biggest soccer rivalry is the match between two of the biggest clubs in Spain—Real Madrid and Barcelona. As both rank very high on the list of the most successful football clubs in the world, this makes the rivalry all the more special and often very high stakes.

This match transcends the game itself, and it’s watched by many football fans across the globe. Named “El Classico,” this derby between Real and Barca started in 1902. The atmosphere in the stadium is electrifying and passionate as many fans gather to support their favorite team. This incredible atmosphere also serves as motivation for players to perform better.

Like many other football derbies globally, this one is also based on differences. This rivalry began because of political differences since Real Madrid favored Spanish nationalism, while Barca favored the nationalism of Catalonia. These conflicting ideologies were among the few reasons that started the rivalry. Also, superstars and legendary managers further fuel the rivalry between Barca and Real Madrid.

What angers fans of both clubs is when certain players leave from Barca to Real or vice versa. The best example is when Figo went to Real from Barca, and one fan threw a pig’s head at him, which was the symbol of betrayal.

These clubs clashed numerous times, but the most unforgettable of all El Clasico derbies was when Real beat Barca 11-1 in 1943.