World's most intense football derbies

Boca Juniors vs River Plate

When this event is at the summit of ’50 sporting things you must do before you die’, there is undoubtedly something that sets the Superclásico apart from other derbies.. With both teams sharing a duopoly in the Argentine Primera Division, it isn’t a surprise that it is an intensified match. The noise levels, unfurled flags, vibrant colors, loud banners, unending fireworks, maniacal fans and the general level of energy makes your average derby look like a picnic. River Plate is referred as Los Millonarios (the Millionaires), while their cross-town arch-rivals are known as the people’s club but today, both clubs have almost equal support in Argentina. Boca fans have labeled the River fans ‘las gallinas (chickens) – for choking in big games, while the River fans call the Boca fans ‘los bosteros’ (pieces of sh*t) – with Boca being based in the unclean and less affluent neighborhoods of Buenos Aires. And both set of fans have learned to live with these bitter names and are even proud of it. And switching loyalties incurs the fury of the fans and you are instantly termed a traitor. By fans of both clubs. Diego Maradona, a cult legend at Boca proclaimed that he would not move to River under any circumstance. In Buenos Aires, they say you can change your job, your friends, wife and even religion but you can NEVER change your team.