The Big Five in Argentine football

Ever since the professionalisation of Argentine football in 1931 five clubs have dominated the league, winning the majority of silverware and accumulating the most fans. These clubs are all based in the Greater Buenos Aires urban conurbation. They are the giants of Argentine football Boca Juniors and River Plate, Almagro based San Lorenzo and the two Avellaneda giants Independiente and Racing Club.

It is fairly easy to see why these teams have been dubbed the big five.

River Plate are by far the most successful team at the domestic level with 33 league championships.

Boca Juniors have a record 18 major international titles and by most measures are the most popular team in Argentina.

Independiente are the most successful team in the Copa Libertadores with seven wins and the 3rd most successful side in the Argentine Primera Division, from which they have never been relegated.

San Lorenzo are the 4th most successful side in the league, with 10 championships and they are the only side to have completed two entire seasons without losing a game.

Racing Club are the joint fifth most successful team in the professional era and, in the 1910′s, they were the club that wrested control of the game away from the British immigrants with six consecutive league titles. They are also widely considered to have the best and most loyal fans.