The 5 Best Football Derbys to Watch Around the World

During my travels to every country in the world, I made a point of watching as many live games as possible. I’ve been to league matches in Kenya, Senegal, Thailand, and South Korea. Even better, my dreams came true when I managed to watch the World Cup Finals in both South Africa in 2010, and in Brazil in 2014 (in the Maracana Stadium, no less). I also did some work with Qatar during Russia 2018 and watched Croatia beating England in the semi-final. But I haven’t seen any of the best Football Derbys in world football, at least not yet!

Best Football Derbys
Me at the World Cup final in 2010!

I’m a huge Liverpool fan too. So I’ve dragged my wife to watch Liverpool at Anfield a couple of times on top of that too. Something I think she’s resigned to getting used to on our future holidays from Thailand, where we live. But, there are 5 Best Football Derbys in the world that I’m dying to watch. And I’m making a point of trying to see them all before it’s too late. Picking who is going to be victorious when the rivalry is heated though? That’s tough. If someone can tell me how to bet on football and win, that would be helpful! But without further ado, here are the 5 best Derbys in world football to watch in person:

Superclásico, Buenos Aries, Argentina: Boca Juniors vs River Plate

Like all intense rivalries, this transcends merely football. The hatred stems from more of a socio-economic tension. Where River Plate are seen as the rich boys from the nice side of the city. And Boca, Madonna’s team, are the working-class heroes. The stadiums literally wobble when the crowd gets going. Especially at Boca’s stadium.

When I was in Buenos Aries I tried to get tickets for this one, undoubtedly one of the Best Football Derbys, but no chance. Next time I hope!

Superclasico Argentina

The Istanbul Derby, Istanbul, Turkey: Galatasary vrs Fenerbahce:

Turkey is one of the most visited countries in the world. And while most people dream about the hot air balloon in Cappadoccia. It’s the football that does it for me!

And this one is possibly the fiercest derby of all them all. These two giants split the city with Galatasary being on the European side of Istanbul with Fenerbahce on the Asian side. Turkish fans are known for being, ahem, ‘passionate’. And on game day expect flares, missiles, and the odd spot of violence. If you are on holiday here and catch the game, don’t pick aside and don’t wear one of the shirts. Stay neutral and soak it up.

Galatasary Fenerbahce derby

The Old Firm Derby, Edinburgh, Scotland:  Rangers vrs Celtic

One of the oldest derbies in the world, this one is particularly explosive thanks to the religious connotations each side carries. With Celtic a famous Roman-Catholic team and Rangers a famous Protestant side.

It was only in the last 15 years or so that players of opposing religions would even sign for the other side! Don’t wear anything blue or green on this day, guys.

Best Football Derbys

El Classico, Madrid, Spain – Real Madrid vrs Barcelona

Perhaps the two most famous teams in the world play in El Classico each season to a backdrop of political confrontations.

Not officially one of the Best Football Derbys as it’s not quite a derby. One is in Madrid and the other in Barcelona, this game is often the most-watched match on the planet each season. It’s intensified due to the fact that each side has opposing political positions (Spanish and Catalan nationalism) so that cranks the atmosphere up another notch. And then the Messi vrs Ronaldo years too, what a rivalry.

El Classico Pigs head
Luis Figo transferred between the two teams, on his first appearance in the El Classico, someone threw a pig’s head at him!

The Fla-Flu, Rio De Janeiro, Brazil: Flamengo vrs Fluminese

This derby is played at unofficially the biggest football stadium in the world, the iconic Maracana. Where the record attendance was said to be 200,000!!

Flares and banners are rife. So, unfortunately, is the violence that comes too. But it’s a football spectacle, that’s for sure.

Best Football Derbys

And one bonus game to keep me happy? Liverpool against Manchester United. Again, not quite a derby but huge rivals, and the 2 most successful clubs in English football. wiTH Jurgen Klopp knocking Manchester United off their perch again in recent years. Reinstating Liverpool as the most successful English club in the game.

Things to do in Liverpool
Things to do in Liverpool; Visit Anfield, home of Liverpool FC. The best club in the world!

These are all on my travel bucket lists, even if it takes me a lifetime I’ll see all these games for sure.

Remember, never travel without travel insurance! And never overpay for travel insurance!

I use HeyMondo. You get INSTANT quotes. Super cheap, they actually pay out, AND they cover almost everywhere, where most insurance companies don't (even places like Central African Republic etc!). You can sign-up here. PS You even get 5% off if you use MY LINK! You can even sign up if you're already overseas and traveling, pretty cool.

Also, if you want to start a blog...I CAN HELP YOU!

Also, if you want to start a blog, and start to change your life, I'd love to help you! Email me on johnny@onestep4ward.com. In the meantime, check out my super easy blog post on how to start a travel blog in under 30 minutes, here! And if you just want to get cracking, use BlueHost at a discount, through me.

Also, (if you're like me, and awful with tech-stuff) email me and my team can get a blog up and running for you, designed and everything, for $699 - email johnny@onestep4ward.com to get started.

Do you work remotely? Are you a digital nomad/blogger etc? You need to be insured too.

I use SafetyWing for my digital nomad insurance. It covers me while I live overseas. It's just $10 a week, and it's amazing! No upfront fees, you just pay week by week, and you can sign up just for a week if you want, then switch it off and on whenever. You can read my review here, and you can sign-up here!

sep-icons
teach-blog

So if you’re ready to…..

1) Change your life
2) Travel the world
3) Get paid to travel
4) Create a positive influence on others
5) Be free of offices and ‘real world’ rubbish

Then Sign Up Below and Let’s Get Started!

Follow me on Instagram @onestep4ward