30 best soccer rivalries in the world

MADRID, SPAIN - MARCH 23: Shirts bearing the names of Lionel Messi of FC Barcelona and Cristiano Ronaldo of Real Madrid CF are seen on display at a merchandise stall prior to the La Liga match between Real Madrid CF and FC Barcelona at estadio Santiago Bernabeu on March 23, 2014 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by Denis Doyle/Getty Images) /

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RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – APRIL 11: Gum (R) and Rafael Sobis of Fluminense struggles for the ball with a Negueba and Andre Santos (#27) of Flamengo during a match between Fluminense and Flamengo as part of Brasileirao Series A 2014 at Maracana Stadium on April 11, 2014 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. (Photo by Buda Mendes/Getty Images) /

27. Fluminense vs Flamengo

Soccer and South America is a match made in heaven. The Brazil and Argentina teams of past World Cups have wowed fans and pundits alike with skill, flair and creativity.

The club game in South America, however, has often lacked the quality of the European counterpart. But for what it may lack in quality, the fans make up for passion, and none may be more passionate than fans of the two Rio de Janeiro clubs.

Fluminense and Flamengo are both clubs of the Brazilian city, and the matches are played at the 78,000-seat Maracana Stadium. The local derby, known as Fla-Flu, however, is renown for high attendance, especially during the standing era. In 1963, a world record 194,603 watched a 0-0 draw. Only 177,656 paid, showing the passion of both sets of fans.

Like the fierce rivalry between Benfica and Sporting Lisbon, Fla-Flu developed from a group of unsatisfied Fluminense players left the club to start a new club in Flamengo. The next year was the first derby in which Fluminense were victorious 3-2.

The rivalry has existed ever since and both clubs have enjoyed plenty of success in Brazilian football. Flamengo is the most successful team in the Rio State Championship, winning it 33 times with Fluminense trailing by two. Nationally, Flamengo has ruled the roost, bringing home the National Championship six times and the Brazilian Cup three times, while their local rivals have only won four National Championships and one Brazilian Cup. Both are extremely successful clubs. Both have great pride and both sets of fans are extremely passionate, especially when it comes to the Fla-Flu.

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