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Real Madrid vs. Barcelona (El Clásico) -

This rivalry between two of Spain's biggest soccer clubs goes beyond sport, fueled by deep political, cultural, and regional divides. Matches are intensely competitive and symbolic.

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Muhammad Ali vs. Joe Frazier -

Boxing's most iconic rivalry featured Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier in three legendary bouts from 1971 to 1975, including the "Thrilla in Manila." Each fighter won a match before Ali claimed victory in the final showdown.

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Roger Federer vs. Rafael Nadal -

One of tennis's greatest rivalries, Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal have met in numerous Grand Slam finals, showcasing contrasting styles. Their 2008 Wimbledon final is widely regarded as a classic match.

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Simone Biles vs. Rebeca Andrade -

Simone Biles and Brazil's Rebeca Andrade are currently two of the biggest names in gymnastics. Their rivalry, characterized by mutual respect, was evident at the Paris 2024 Olympics, where they both secured medals.

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India vs. Pakistan (cricket) -

This political and cultural cricket rivalry is among the most intense in the world. Matches attract massive audiences, with historic moments like India's 2011 World Cup semi-final victory.

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Lionel Messi vs. Cristiano Ronaldo -

Messi's dribbling and play making contrast with Ronaldo's athleticism and goal-scoring ability, sparking endless comparisons, records, and Ballon d’Or awards.

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Ayrton Senna vs. Alain Prost -

F1's fiercest rivalry occurred between Senna and Prost during the late '80s and early '90s. Their competitive relationship peaked with several controversial collisions, showcasing their differing racing philosophies.

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Tiger Woods vs. Phil Mickelson -

This golf rivalry features contrasting personalities, with Tiger Woods as the driven prodigy and Phil Mickelson as the charismatic risk-taker. While Woods dominated their early career meetings, Mickelson's late-career resurgence has reignited this dynamic competition.

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Manchester United vs. Liverpool -

Reflecting the historical competition between the cities, this is the biggest rivalry in English soccer. With 39 combined league titles, their clashes often influence the Premier League title race.

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Serena Williams vs. Maria Sharapova -

A decade-long tennis rivalry, Serena Williams and Maria Sharapova faced off in numerous high-profile matches, including Grand Slam finals. Their contrasting styles and personalities heightened the intensity of their encounters.

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LeBron James vs. Kevin Durant -

Two of the NBA's greatest players, LeBron and Durant have squared off in multiple finals, each cementing their legacy in basketball.

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Brazil vs. Argentina (soccer) -

One of soccer's fiercest international rivalries features Brazil and Argentina. Matches between these nations are often dramatic, exemplified by the 2021 Copa America final, where Argentina emerged victorious.

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John McEnroe vs. Björn Borg -

Tennis legends McEnroe and Borg faced off in one of the sport's most iconic rivalries, with Borg's calm demeanor contrasting McEnroe's fiery temperament. Their battles, especially the 1980 Wimbledon final, left a lasting mark on tennis history.

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Kobe Bryant vs. Tim Duncan -

NBA greats Kobe Bryant and Tim Duncan led their respective teams, the Lakers and Spurs, to multiple titles in the 2000s. Their rivalry was marked by contrasting playing styles and philosophies, making their matchups highly compelling.

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Billie Jean King vs. Bobby Riggs -

At 29, King accepted Riggs' tennis challenge in 1973 after he claimed male superiority in sports. King decisively defeated the 55-year-old Riggs in the "Battle of the Sexes," inspiring generations of female athletes.

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Tom Brady vs. Peyton Manning -

The two quarterbacks built an intense rivalry on the field. Brady won 11 of their 17 matchups, while Manning triumphed in three of four AFC Championships, adding two Super Bowl victories against Brady. 

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Nancy Kerrigan vs. Tonya Harding -

The rivalry between the American figure skaters reached a boiling point at the 1994 Winter Olympics, after the infamous attack on Kerrigan. Their contrasting backgrounds and the scandal surrounding them made their rivalry unforgettable.

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Novak Djokovic vs. Carlos Alcaraz -

The battle between Djokovic, a veteran legend, and Alcaraz, a young rising star, is currently defining men's tennis. Their closely contested Grand Slam finals, including Wimbledon and the US Open, have electrified fans.

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Max Verstappen vs. Lewis Hamilton -

Verstappen and Hamilton have been fierce rivals since their thrilling 2021 title showdown. The intensity continues as they compete across F1 circuits around the world.

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Kobe Bryant vs. Shaquille O'Neal -

Their feud ignited the NBA in the late '90s and early 2000s. Tensions escalated as O'Neal accused Bryant of selfishness, culminating in their 2004 finals loss and O'Neal's trade to Miami. Despite their rivalry, they later formed an unlikely friendship, with O'Neal honoring Bryant at his memorial in 2020.

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Boston Red Sox vs. New York Yankees -

The Yankees–Red Sox rivalry, defined by the "Curse of the Bambino." After acquiring Babe Ruth in 1920, the Red Sox faced a long championship drought, ending in 2004 when they came back from a three-game deficit to win the ALCS and the World Series against the Cardinals.

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Martina Navratilova vs. Chris Evert -

One of the most iconic rivalries in tennis, Navratilova and Evert faced each other 80 times from the 1970s through the 1980s.

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Arnold Palmer vs. Jack Nicklaus -

Arnold Palmer and Jack Nicklaus were "best rivals forever," dominating men's professional golf in the 1960s, while building a lasting friendship.

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Green Bay Packers vs. Chicago Bears -

The Green Bay Packers and Chicago Bears have faced off nearly 200 times since 1921, showcasing a rivalry rich in championships, legendary players, and coaches.

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Steffi Graf vs. Monica Seles -

In the early '90s, Graf and Seles dominated women’s tennis, with Seles challenging Graf's reign at the top. Their rivalry peaked when Seles became the world's top-ranked player, but it was cut short by the tragic stabbing incident in 1993.

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England vs. Australia (The Ashes) -

One of cricket's oldest rivalries, The Ashes, sees England and Australia compete in a five-match Test series. First contested in 1882, the series is known for its intensity and iconic moments. 

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Celtic vs. Rangers (Old Firm) -

The Old Firm is more than just soccer, it's a clash of religious and political identities in Scotland. The rivalry between Celtic (Catholic) and Rangers (Protestant) has deep historical roots, making each match a highly charged event.

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Jeff Gordon vs. Dale Earnhardt -

When Gordon entered NASCAR in 1992, he was about 20 years younger than veteran Earnhardt, leading to a playful rivalry. In 1995, after winning the Cup Series, Gordon humorously toasted Earnhardt with milk, reinforcing their friendly competition.

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Sidney Crosby vs. Alex Ovechkin -

Since their 2005 debut, Crosby and Ovechkin have thrilled NHL fans with a rivalry that evolved from media hype to real on-ice clashes.

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Bryson DeChambeau vs. Brooks Koepka -

Koepka's and DeChambeau's rivalry began in 2019 when Koepka criticized DeChambeau's slow play. Despite a brief reconciliation, tensions flared with playful jabs on social media, keeping fans entertained.

Sources: (ESPN) (Men's Health) (Sportsnet)

See also: The pioneers who redefined sports history

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