Real Madrid's rivals: The Los Blancos derbies and arch-rivals

Real Madrid's rivals: The Los Blancos derbies and arch-rivals

Lenah Ann
updated at October 26, 2023 at 5:12 AM
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Real Madrid is one of the world's most successful and well-known football teams. They compete in La Liga, Spain's top football league, and over the years, they have won numerous titles, including 14 UEFA Champions League victories. With such a successful history, it is no wonder they have built rivalries with different clubs around the globe. Some of Real Madrid's rivals include Barcelona and Atletico Madrid.

Are Sevilla and Real Madrid rivals?
Real Madrid players line up prior to the UEFA Champions League round of 16 leg one match against Liverpool FC at Anfield on 21 February 2023 in Liverpool, United Kingdom. Photo: Michael Zemanek (Modified by author)
Source: Getty Images

The Los Blanco club was founded in 1902 and has grown to be one of the most supported worldwide, with a massive fan base on various social media platforms. Currently, the European giant is among the world's most valuable clubs and is recognised as one the greatest soccer clubs of the 20th century. Here are some of Real Madrid's most notable arch-rivals.

A list of Real Madrid's biggest rivals

Real Madrid holds many long-standing rivalries and thus has established itself as a major force in Spanish and European football. According to various online sources, here is a list of the biggest Real Madrid rivals compiled by Sports Brief.

Barcelona

Among all Real Madrid's rivals, Barcelona is the biggest. Their rivalry spans decades and is often regarded as one of the biggest and most fierce in the sport's history.

The rivalry between the two Spanish giant clubs is known as "El Clásico" and is contested in domestic and foreign tournaments such as the UCL. The Messi-Ronaldo rivalry intensified it, making it one of the most sought-after in recent decades.

Why are Barcelona and Real Madrid rivals?
Barcelona players celebrate after scoring a goal during the Soccer Champions Tour match against Real Madrid on 29 July 2023 at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, TX. Photo: Matthew Visinsky (Modified by author)
Source: Getty Images

So, why are Barcelona and Real Madrid rivals? The "El Clásico" is fueled by a number of causes, including regional pride, political strife between Catalonia and Madrid, and the two teams' historical supremacy in Spanish and European soccer.

Atlético Madrid

Atletico has proven to be one of the most formidable teams in La Liga and has made the Los Blancos club run for their money. Their head-to-head collision, commonly known as the Madrid derby, is one of the most intense and watched matches worldwide.

Are Atletico Madrid and Real Madrid rivals? Despite their strong contrast in style, wealth, fan base and philosophy, the two neighbouring clubs have been rivals since 1906, when Atlético was founded as a branch of Athletic Bilbao.

On the bright side, the fierce nature of the rivalry between the two teams has resulted in many great matches and moments throughout the years, and it continues to attract the attention of football fans worldwide.

Are Atletico Madrid and Real Madrid rivals?
Atletico Madrid players celebrate after scoring a goal during the La Liga EA Sports 2023/24 football match against Real Madrid at Cívitas Metropolitano on 24 September 2023. Photo: Alberto Gardin
Source: Getty Images

Athletic Bilbao

The rivalry between Los Blancos and Athletic Bilbao is based on a long-standing feud between Spain's Basque and Castilian provinces. The two clubs have a history of heated competition, and their rivalry has grown stronger.

Valencia

Valencia is another club with a bitter rivalry with Real Madrid. The two teams have a history of playing in big matches, notably the 2000 UEFA Champions League final. Over the years, their rivalry has generated some exciting and unforgettable moments.

Sevilla

Are Sevilla and Real Madrid rivals? Sevilla has a long-standing history of competitive contests with Los Blancos. However, it is less severe than some other clubs on this list. The two clubs have faced off in several key matches, including the UEFA Super Cup.

Bayern Munich

Are Atletico Madrid and Real Madrid rivals?
Real Madrid players line up for a photo prior to the La Liga EA Sports match against Sevilla FC at Estadio Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan on 21 October 2023 in Seville, Spain. Photo: Jesus Ruiz (Modified by author)
Source: Getty Images

Los Blancos and Bayern Munich are two of Europe's most successful clubs. They have played each other more times in the UEFA Champions League than any other two teams in the competition's history.

This match grew more heated after the Whites lost to Bayern in penalties in the CL Semi-final and then retaliated by scoring four goals against Pep's Bayern in Munich. The victor of this match usually wins the Champions League or advances to the final.

AC Milan

There has been an ongoing rivalry between The Whites and AC Milan for many years. Numerous Champions League matches between the two clubs have taken place, including three finals in the 1950s.

The head-to-head record favours Los Blancos, although AC Milan has pulled off numerous surprises throughout the years, notably a 5-0 victory in the 1989 European Cup semi-final.

Liverpool

Are Man City and Real Madrid rivals?
Liverpool player pose during UEFA Champions League match against Real Madrid at Estadio Santiago Bernabeu on 15 March 2023 in Madrid, Spain. Photo: Ruben de la Fuente Perez (Modified by author)
Source: Getty Images

In the most recent Champions League finals between Los Blancos and Liverpool, which took place in 2018 and 2022, the former team prevailed both times.

So, are Liverpool and Real Madrid rivals? Although there have only been eight meetings between the two clubs, subsequent meetings have intensified the rivalry. The two teams' matches are fiercely competitive and carefully followed by fans worldwide.

Juventus

Juventus and the Whites have faced off 21 times in the UEFA Champions League, with Juventus recording nine victories, the Whites recording ten wins, and two draws. The stats show that Juventus have given Los Blancos a run for their money over the years.

How did Real Madrid and Barcelona become rivals?

Due to geographical and political differences, as well as competitive matches over the years, the two legendary clubs became rivals. However, whatever the cause, meetings between the two clubs are always eagerly anticipated and exciting for fans worldwide.

Are PSG and Real Madrid rivals?

There has been some rivalry between Los Blancos and Paris Saint-Germain recently. There was, of course, the Kylian Mbappe transfer controversy. For a while, Los Blancos and Paris Saint-Germain were close clubs, almost like brothers, but that is no longer the case.

Are Man City and Real Madrid rivals?

Are Man City and Real Madrid rivals?
Manchester City players celebrate after winning the UEFA Champions League semi-final second leg match against Real Madrid at Etihad Stadium on 17 May 2023 in Manchester, United Kingdom. Photo: Federico Titone
Source: Getty Images

Since Manchester City won the 2022/23 UEFA Champions League, beating the renowned legends, Los Blancos, they renewed their competitive nature with the Spanish clubs and are now on their radar for the 2023/24 championship title.

Are Chelsea and Real Madrid rivals?

The two famous soccer clubs have met and played seven games since 2013, and in doing so, Chelsea has won 2 games and Los Blancos won 4 matches while the rest ended in a draw. From the look of things, there is no outstanding rivalry between the two clubs.

Who is Real Madrid's rival in the Champions League?

Bayern Munich is Los Blancos' biggest rival in the UEFA Champions League. They have played each other more times in the European top-tier league than any other teams in the competition's history.

Most of Real Madrid's rivals, such as Barcelona, Atletico Madrid, Bayern Munich and AC Milan, will all agree that beating the renowned club is no easy task. In sixteen years, the club has bagged twelve league titles and has produced some of the most legendary footballers the world has ever seen, such as Zidane, Cristiano Ronaldo and David Beckham.

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Authors
Lenah Ann photo
Lenah Ann
Lenah Ann is a Kenyan-based content creator with 2 years of experience. She graduated with a Bachelor's Degree in Mass Media and Communication from Dedan Kimathi, Kenya in 2021.