5 of the best international rivalries

#3 Saudi Arabia-Iran

The rivalry between the two clubs is much more than their geographical proximity

Though most football fanatics proudly claim that football is their one true religion, this rivalry holds the unique distinction of being juxtaposed alongside actual religious and political tensions. While Iran is the spiritual land of Shia Muslims, Saudi Arabia is predominantly Sunni, with the geopolitical strain also spreading over to the football field.

They have played 15 times since 1975, without ever contesting a friendly match. Team Melli holds a slender lead of five wins to SA’s four. Such is the ferocity of this rivalry that the animosity has also spread over to their club counterparts, with clubs from Saudi Arabia refusing to play in Iran for the 2016 AFC Champions League.

Though neither club have enjoyed success on the world stage, this remains one of the most heated hate-affairs in world football.