Futbol Club Barcelona or Barça is one of the biggest football clubs in Spanish football and on the global stage. The Catalan club, founded in 1899, has been one of the most dominant forces in world football historically.

The club has grown to establish some of the biggest football rivals in the world today, from the Spanish La Liga to the European continent, where tensions often exist against teams in England, Germany, and France.

Who are Barcelona’s biggest rivals today? Interesting Football looks at some clubs that share a sporting rivalry with the Catalan-based club.

El Clásico

The El Clásico is the symbol of Spanish football. It is termed used for the meeting between Real Madrid and Barcelona. Established on 13 May 1902, it has grown to become one of the most intense rivalries worldwide.

This is due to the competition between the two sides in the domestic scene, where they are always at loggerheads for the league title, the domestic cup, and the super.

At the international stage, Real Madrid is considerably at the highest quality due to their dominance in the European Cup (Champions League). The team has won fourteen titles compared to Barcelona, with five titles.

And to the on-field debate, many fans would remember the clash between Cristiano Ronaldo (Real Madrid) and Lionel Messi (Barcelona) as it all started here(The G.O.AT Debate). But more rivalries have involved names like Phillip Cocu, Patrick Stephan Kluivert, Raul Gonzalez, and Roberto Carlos.

Read: Real Madrid biggest Rivals -La Liga, Champions League ranked 

Derbi barceloní (Barcelona and RCD Espanyol)

RCD Espanyol is Barcelona’s local rival. The two teams based in Catalonia have been locked in bragging rights since. However, Barcelona ranks superior due to the club’s portfolio, which includes multiple Champions League, La Liga, Copa del Rey, Champions League, and FIFA Club World Cup.

Apart from these trophies, Barcelona has a strong presence globally and is ranked among the top five most popular football clubs.

RCD Espanyol, on the other hand, is not at the level of their Catalonia rivals but has won the Copa del Rey four times and other lower division and regional trophies.

Digging deep to see why they are rivals, Espanyol was seen as a local team as Spanish players founded it while a group of foreigners founded the Blaugrana. At some point, it became political but has since diminished to become a sporting rivalry.

AC Milan

Barcelona and AC Milan’s rivalry was established in the European Cup and the Champions League. The two sides played the most times (19) which was the second-most-played match in European football.

The first time was in the European Cup era, which continues today. Although they’ve not played each other lately, the fixture involving the two teams is usually tense.

Chelsea

Although not an official rivalry, Chelsea fans will not forget how the Catalan club had eliminated them from the company twice in an incredible fashion.

Read: Chelsea biggest rivals ranked