Who has the closest and most fiercest derbies in Brazil and Argentina?

Obviously as Brazil is a very large country full of footballing passion and tradition, derbies are naturally intense affairs. In the city of Sao Paulo The biggest derbies are centred around 3 teams. Palmeiras, Sao Paulo and Corinthians.

The “Choque-Rei” derby between Sao Paulo and Palmeiras is due to Palmeiras being founded by Italian migrants. Palmeiras were forced to change their name so that it wouldn’t be linked to any country taking part in world war 2.

Palmeiras have always claimed the Sao Paulo club who was born after the fusion of a few Brazilian clubs had something to do with this.

On the pitch Palmeiras were more successful in the past (4 league wins but the last was in 1994), with Sao Paulo being more successful in present (6 league wins, 3 in a row 2006, 2007 & 2008).

Palmeiras has won the Copa Libertadores in 1999 (South American European cup), while Sao Paulo have won it 3 times (the last in 2005), and the intercontinental cup 3 times (last in 2005). In the head to head Sao Paulo have 99 to Palmeiras 92 wins.

The 2nd derby in Brazil is the “ Paulista Derby” between Palmeiras and Corinthians.

The story goes, the same Italians who created Palmeiras (Palestra Italia) were members of Corinthians, so when they decided to leave and create a new team they became the “betrayers” from that moment, thus dividing the fans. As stated Palmeiras have been less successful of late.

Corinthians have won the league 4 times (last in 2005) but never won the Copa Libertadores unlike their rivals which is a big thorn in there side. Although they did win the World club championships in 2000.

In the Head to head Corinthians have the better record winning 120 to Palmeiras 114.

The 3rd and probably the biggest derby in Brazil is that of Corinthians v Sao Paulo. The derby is called “Classico Majestoso” (Majestic Classic), this is the game that historically brings together the biggest number of spectators in the city.

The record attendance for this match was in 1982 when 117.061 packed into Sao Paulo’s ground. This game is also known for bringing the most controversy due to both sets of fans regular off pitch battles which has caused thousands of injuries and hundreds of deaths.

On the pitch Corinthians are the more successful winning 113 to Sao Paulo’s 95.

In Rio de Janeiro the Derbies are centred around Flamengo, Vasco da Gama & Fluminense. Although they are city rivals, the Vasco and Fluminense derby is less intense than the other two games.

Vasco & Flamengo however do have an intense rivalry. In the “Classico Dos Milhoes” (Derby of Millions). Both have the biggest fan base in the city and rivals the Corinthians/Sao Paulo derby. Both clubs were actually founded as rowing clubs which formed into football clubs.

The rivalry was born in 1923, Vasco were the only club in Rio to allow black players, so when they won their first match against Flamengo the rivalry was born.

Over the years the rivalry has become even more intense as both clubs engage in multiple sports against each other. Vasco have won the league 4 times (last in 2000), where as Flamengo have won it 5 times (last in 2009).

Vasco won the Copa Libertadores in 1998 and Flamengo won it along with the Intercontinental Cup in 1981. Flamengo are more successful team in the head to head with 130 wins to 119.

In terms of numbers, the biggest derby in the city is the “Fla-Flu” derby. As Flamengo were founded as an aqua club and Fluminense a football club, a few Brazilians were members of both clubs.

Apparently in 1911 some players were discussing how much money they would receive if they won the title. A fee was not agreed upon so, the manager at the time left and took 9 players with him and formed Flamengo the football team.

This rivalry have become more intense recently as Fluminense are the current league champions. A year after Flamengo won their 5th title.

Fluminense had previously only won the title in 1970 & 1984. They have never won the Copa Libertadores. This game has proved how big it is by creating a world record attendance with of over 194 thousand in 1963.

Between then and 1984 this games top ten attendance’s ranged from 124.000 to the world record amount. In the head to head Flamengo has 135 wins to Fluminense’s 119.

In Argentina the largest, biggest, most intense and fiercest rivalry is the “superclasico” between Boca Juniors v River Plate. Both clubs were founded in the poor district of Buenos Aires called Le Boca.

But in 1925 (some say 1938) River moved to the upper class district of Nunez. From then on the hatred has grown and grown.

With Boca holding 40% and River 33% of Argentina’s population, clashes on and off the pitch happen on a regular basis, with thousands of injuries and many deaths. In 1968, 71 fans died and 150 were injured in a gate crushing incident.

There were many stories as to who started it, with both clubs blaming each other but in the end nobody was formally blamed. To date it is the worst football related incident in Argentina’s history, with the average age of the victims 19.

However this derby is considered to be one of the most exciting in the world, with its combination of huge crowds, deafening noises, colours, fireworks, flags, banners and of course rolls of paper. River have won more league titles 27 to Boca’s 20.

However Boca have won the Copa Libertadores 5 times (twice in a row 2000 & 2001 and last in 2003) River have only won it twice (last in 1996). Boca have won the Intercontinental Cup 3 times (last in 2003) River have won it once in 1986. In the head to head Boca have 78 victories to River’s 68.

The Other Derby of note in Argentina is a much more local affair then River & Boca’s.

Its contested between Argentina’s 3rd and 4th most successful teams in the country Independiente and Racing Club.

Both clubs coming from the city of Avellaneda in the south of the Greater Buenos Aires, and both stadiums stand almost shoulder to shoulder being a couple of hundred yards apart.

This was most evident when in 2002 from high up in the Independiente stadium, the Independiente fans fired a smoke bomb at Racing fans eating in the Racing stadiums café. This then created a mass riot outside the Independiente stadium’s gate 8.

In the end, two young Independiente fans who were only queuing for a ticket where shot and later died in hospital.

In 2006 after a derby game where Independiente were winning 2-0, the game had to be abandoned following violence in the away stands.

Following this the Argentine Football Association decided to ban all away fans in the top four divisions.

Racing also had a home ground ban. On the pitch Independiente have won the title 14 times (last in 2002) Racing have won it 7 (last in 2001) Racing has won the Copa Libertadores and the Intercontinental Cup just once both in 1967.

Independiente have won the Copa Libertadores 7 times (a record for South America but the last was in 1984) they have also won the Intercontinental Cup twice.

Part One, Part Two