What makes a sports rivalry truly legendary? Is it decades of fierce competition, game-changing performances, or two teams battling at the very peak of their game?
In this long-read deep dive, writer Travis explores the most iconic rivalries in sports history, from Liverpool vs. Manchester City’s Premier League dominance to Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Golden State Warriors' NBA Finals showdowns.
Packed with fascinating stats, unforgettable moments, and insider insights, this article breaks down the legendary sports rivalries that have defined generations. So grab a drink, settle in, and enjoy!
By Travis B.
A rivalry in sports can be defined in many ways. Some view it as how long two teams or individuals compete for a shared goal; for me, this is the essence of a rivalry. However, what elevates a rivalry to greatness is when the quality of competition is higher than the rest, and it begins to feel like the two are only competing against each other.
Liverpool vs Manchester City
The Liverpool versus Manchester City rivalry represents the highest standard of football played in the Premier League era. This is what elevates this rivalry above any other in English football. Since the beginning of the 2017-2018 Premier League season, the two teams have faced each other twenty-three times across all competitions. Liverpool won nine of these games, Manchester City won seven, and another seven resulted in a draw.
However, there is a significant disparity in silverware; six of the seven Premier League titles in this time have gone to Manchester City. Liverpool have won one of these and will likely secure the title at the end of this season. This makes the rivalry seem more one-sided than it is, as Liverpool have fallen short of the title by one point on two separate occasions. Also, in this period, Liverpool's lowest position was fifth. In contrast, Manchester City is likely to see its lowest position this season as it is amid a top-four battle.
This rivalry was largely headlined by the two managers in either dugout, Pep Guardiola and Jürgen Klopp. These two managers have opposing management styles, but the competition was always filled with respect, elevating the games each time. Following the departure of legendary manager Jürgen Klopp this season, the new-look Liverpool under Arne Slot has dominated domestically and in Europe. Pep Guardiola's side has struggled due to injuries and an ageing squad this season. Still, with their resources and exceptional manager, a productive squad turnover is expected in the summer window, setting up many more enticing clashes between them.
Cleveland Cavaliers vs Golden State Warriors
Between 2015 and 2018, these two franchises were headlined by their two Superstars: Lebron James, who had recently rejoined the Cavaliers in free agency, and Stephen Curry, who had been drafted by the Warriors in the 2009 NBA draft.
This rivalry was complex and saw a lot of team turnover from year to year. So here is a timeline of the intense rivalry.
2015: Stephen Curry wins his first NBA regular-season MVP award, taking the Warriors to the NBA finals accompanied by a great supporting cast of Klay Thompson, Draymond Green, and Andre Iguodala. While in the Eastern Conference, Lebron James, along with Kyrie Irving and Kevin Love, reached the NBA Finals. The Warriors came out victorious 4-2 against the injury-riddled Cavaliers, and Andre Iguodala took home the finals MVP.
2016: The Golden State Warriors put the NBA on notice in the regular season, having the best-ever regular season record going 73-9 as Stephen Curry picks up the first-ever unanimous MVP award. This dominance largely outshined the success of the Cavaliers, but as expected, these two giants would see each other again in the Finals. The Warriors would take a commanding 3-1 lead; no team had ever come back from a 3-1 deficit in the NBA Finals. In Game 5, Irving and Lebron both racked up forty-one points, putting the Cavalier's offence on their backs. Yet again, in game 6, LeBron had forty-one points to tie the series. Game 7 was to take place in Golden State as the Warriors had the better record, despite this thanks to a late block by Lebron James and a difficult three- pointer from Kyrie Irving over Stephen Curry with less than a minute left- the Cavaliers had overcome an almost impossible task. Lebron James collected the Finals MVP after leading the series in every major statistical category.
2017: Former MVP and, to many, the second-best player in the world behind Lebron James, Kevin Durant joined the Golden State Warriors from the Oklahoma City Thunder in free agency in a highly controversial move. This changed the whole landscape of the NBA. Truthfully, nobody stood a chance. While the regular season head-to-head was split one piece, with arguably the best-ever Christmas game being the win for the Cavaliers. Once the playoffs rolled around, they both steamed rolled through their conferences and met again in the finals, with the Warriors lifting the Larry O’Brien trophy with a 4-1 victory. The finals MVP award went to Kevin Durant who hit a crucial shot in game one.
2018: All NBA guard Kyrie Irving left the Cavaliers, leaving Lebron against this super team seemingly all by himself. Despite some slight turmoil from the Warriors in the regular season and a tough-fought series against the Houston Rockets, the Golden State Warriors and the Cleveland Cavaliers saw each other once again. This time, it wasn’t close. The Warriors swept the Cavaliers, solidifying their dynasty. Once again, Kevin Durant claimed finals MVP- following this defeat, Lebron left in free agency to the Los Angeles Lakers.
El Clasico
You know it's a good rivalry when it has a nickname, especially when the nickname is as synonymous as "El Clásico". Steeped in history and competition, these two colossal giants have faced off 259 times, with Real Madrid being victorious 105 times and Barcelona 102 times - on 52 occasions, the game has ended in a tie.
Barcelona's most successful period was between 2008 and 2015 when Pep Guardiola and, later, Luis Enrique managed the club. During this time, Barcelona won five La Liga titles, three Champions League trophies, and three Copa del Rey titles.
Real Madrid was a force for much of the 2010s under the management of Jose Mourinho and later Zinedine Zidane. Their major trophies during this time were three La Liga titles, two Copa del Rey titles, and four Champions League titles (three of which were consecutive). Additionally, Real Madrid has won fifteen Champions League titles and is the most decorated football club in history.
However, the most interesting part of this rivalry is how much the two clubs' peaks coincided with each other and with the peaks of the two best football players to ever play the sport.
Messi versus Ronaldo
Messi and Ronaldo have shared the stage at the top of the footballing world for over a decade, and the debate between these two is separated by many things, not just their talent.
For many, Ronaldo embodies what it means to be a professional athlete, working as hard as possible to reach the top. Meanwhile, Messi is seen as someone blessed with God-given talent, although he too has worked exceptionally hard.
Another way this rivalry is split is between fan bases; Barcelona fans and Real Madrid fans are divided on countless topics, and this is just another example. Regardless of your opinion on who is better, their pure output and dominance are something to be admired.
Messi has climbed to over 850 senior goals, also being La Liga's highest scorer, with over 380 career assists, the most in La Liga history. He also recorded 91 goals in a calendar year, the highest tally by any player ever. His trophy case is just as impressive: 10 La Liga titles, 4 Champions Leagues, and even reaching the pinnacle of football by winning the 2022 FIFA World Cup.
These two players have a combined 13 Ballon d'Ors, 8 of which belong to Messi and 5 to Ronaldo. In addition, Ronaldo has scored over 924 career goals, racked up over 257 assists, and picked up 5 Champions League titles.
This rivalry is nothing short of an anomaly—two athletes at the top of their game playing the highest level of football ever seen at the exact same time.
The Los Angeles Lakers versus the rest of the NBA
While this sounds unconventional and not like a real rivalry, how the Los Angeles Lakers continue to get the best players in the world for far less than their true value cannot be ignored.
Whilst the Lakers are not the most successful franchise in NBA history—that crown belongs to the Boston Celtics with 18 championship rings, the Lakers sit just one behind on 17—much of the Celtics' success came prior to the establishment of the NBA as a powerhouse in American sports. Bill Russell won 11 of the Boston Celtics' championships before the 1970s.
Since the 1970s, however, the Lakers have been far and away the most successful franchise in the league, undoubtedly due to their ability to continuously acquire top-tier players repeatedly, embodied by the phrase 'the rich get richer'.
In 1968, Wilt Chamberlain (the best player in the world at the time) joined the Los Angeles Lakers for nothing, forcing his way into the team. Because of Los Angeles' location and status as a big market city, this move set a precedent that would become all too familiar to NBA teams. With Wilt, the Lakers won one championship, but it was not too long before another superstar found himself in L.A.
In 1975, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar requested a trade from the Milwaukee Bucks and refused to go anywhere other than the Lakers or Knicks. The Lakers swooped in, and Kareem became a Laker.
Soon after, they traded All-NBA player Gail Goodrich to the Utah Jazz in exchange for assets, one of which turned into Earvin 'Magic' Johnson in the 1979 NBA Draft. Kareem and Magic formed what became known as the 'Showtime Lakers' and won five championships together. Magic played until the 1990s, but just as he neared retirement, arguably one of the best duos of all time was about to emerge.
Shaquille O'Neal hit free agency after his parent team, the Orlando Magic, made an offensively low offer and refused to pay him what he was worth. The Lakers stepped in. The second half of this legendary duo would soon follow. Kobe Bryant was an exceptional talent but faced doubts from NBA teams after skipping college and declaring for the draft straight out of high school . Kobe always wanted to play for the Lakers, and they made it happen by trading for him after he was drafted at pick number 13 by the Charlotte Hornets. Together, Shaq and Kobe led a three-peat before Shaq's departure. Kobe went on to win two more championships later in his career.
After two disappointing seasons with a young team, the Lakers sought their next star—who better than LeBron James? He joined via free agency but needed a co-star. As history has shown, when the Lakers want a superstar, there's little that can stop them from making it happen.
Anthony Davis joined in 2019 after a trade with New Orleans. Whilst what New Orleans received wasn't bad, poor decision-making by their front office made it a landslide win for L.A., as Davis had an immediate impact by helping win a championship in 2020.
Most recently, in perhaps one of the most shocking trades of all time, Luka Dončić—a top three player in the world at just 25 years old—joined L.A. Luka had taken Dallas to two Conference Finals and an NBA Finals during his time with the Mavericks. However, concerns over his work ethic led Dallas to make him available for trade. The Lakers capitalised by trading Anthony Davis, Max Christie, and future first-round picks for Luka Dončić. This marks eight superstars joining L.A. in separate incidents—not a coincidence but rather a pattern.
Credit can be given to L.A.'s management for capitalising on other teams' mistakes, but much of this success is driven by Los Angeles' market appeal. There are countless theories as to why this continues to happen, but one thing is clear: when it comes to acquiring superstars, no team does it quite like the Lakers.
By Travis B.