When it comes to the world of football, there are rivalries that are more than just a game. One such rivalry is that between FC Barcelona and its greatest rival.
But who exactly is Barcelona’s greatest rival? Let’s take a closer look.
Real Madrid – The Classic Rivalry
When it comes to Barcelona’s greatest rival, there is no doubt that Real Madrid is at the top of the list. This rivalry spans over 90 years and has become one of football’s most iconic matchups.
The two clubs have faced each other in countless games, with each one bringing an intense level of competition and passion to the field.
The Origins of the Rivalry
The rivalry between Barcelona and Real Madrid began in 1929 when La Liga was formed. Both teams were among the founding members of the league, and their first match against each other took place on February 17th, 1929.
Since then, they have played against each other more than 240 times across various competitions.
The Key Players
Over the years, both teams have had some incredible players who have helped shape this rivalry into what it is today. For Barcelona, players like Lionel Messi, Xavi Hernandez, Andres Iniesta, Carles Puyol, and Ronaldinho have all played key roles in some of their biggest victories against Real Madrid.
On the other hand, Real Madrid has also had some legendary players on its side such as Cristiano Ronaldo, Zinedine Zidane, Iker Casillas, Ferenc Puskás and Alfredo Di Stéfano who have helped them earn victories over Barcelona in crucial matches.
Espanyol – The Local Rivalry
While Real Madrid might be Barcelona’s greatest rival, Espanyol is their local rival. This rivalry is not as intense as the one with Real Madrid, but it still has a lot of history and passion behind it.
Espanyol is based in Barcelona and was founded in 1900, making it one of the oldest football clubs in Spain.
Origins of the Rivalry
The rivalry between Barcelona and Espanyol dates back to the early 1900s when both teams played their home games at the same stadium – Camp de la Indústria. However, it wasn’t until 1912 that they played against each other for the first time.
Since then, they have faced each other more than 160 times across various competitions. For Barcelona, players like Lionel Messi, Ronaldinho, Xavi Hernandez and Carles Puyol have all played key roles in some of their biggest victories against Espanyol.
On the other hand, Espanyol has also had some notable players on its side such as Dani Jarque, Raúl Tamudo and Francisco Narváez Machón who have helped them earn victories over Barcelona in crucial matches.
In Conclusion
While there are several teams that consider themselves rivals of FC Barcelona, Real Madrid and Espanyol are undoubtedly at the top of that list. The classic rivalry with Real Madrid brings a level of intensity that few games can match while their local rival Espanyol adds an extra layer of history and passion to every match.
Regardless of who their opponent is though, Barcelona always brings its A-game to every match, leaving fans on the edge of their seats and creating memories that will last a lifetime.