Le Classique

Le Classique (French pronunciation: [lə klasik], The Classic), also referred to as Le Classico, Le Clasico, or Le Derby de France, is a French football rivalry contested between French professional clubs Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) and Olympique de Marseille (OM). It is widely regarded as the biggest rivalry in French football and one of the most notable fixtures in world football, involving the two most successful clubs in France and the only French teams to have won major European trophies. The match is often compared to Spain's El Clásico and attracts significant attention in domestic and international football circles.

PSG and OM dominated French football before Olympique Lyonnais disrupted their domestic supremacy in the early 2000s and remain the most followed French clubs internationally. Both clubs consistently rank among the highest in French attendances. Early clashes in the 1970s gave little indication of a major rivalry: PSG, a newly formed club, was still building competitiveness, while OM were established Ligue 1 contenders. The rivalry began in earnest in the 1980s, particularly after PSG won their first league title in 1986 and Marseille was acquired by businessman Bernard Tapie. By the end of the decade, the two clubs were competing closely for the Ligue 1 title, with tensions heightened by accusations of match-fixing and other controversies.

In the 1990s, the rivalry intensified. French media company Canal+ purchased PSG in 1991, partly to challenge Marseille's dominance, while media coverage helped promote the animosity between the clubs. With financial backing and growing media attention, PSG and OM became the main contenders for national honours. Although both teams were less successful in the 2000s, the rivalry remained strong. In the 2010s, PSG's significant investment from Qatar Sports Investments (QSI) allowed the club to dominate domestically, further intensifying the rivalry. Matches regularly draw large crowds, high television audiences, and require heightened security due to passionate fan support.

The rivalry has a female equivalent, featuring Paris Saint-Germain and OL Lyonnes (Lyon). Matches between the two sides are referred to as the women's Le Classique. By the end of the 2000s, French women's football was dominated by Lyon, which won a record number of Première Ligue and UEFA Women's Champions League titles. PSG first faced Lyon in 1994, but it was not until the club's acquisition by QSI in 2012 that the two sides emerged as genuine rivals, consistently competing for league honours.