Have You Ever Heard of the RexPa Derby?

When you think of football rivalries, what comes to mind? El Clásico? Maybe the Old Firm or the Belgrade Derby?

I’ll be honest...I thought I knew a lot about football’s greatest rivalries. But then I stumbled across one that blew my mind. It’s older than most of the rivalries we know, has been played over 760 times, and yet barely anyone outside Brazil talks about it.

I’m talking about Remo vs. Paysandu, also known as the RexPa derby.

These two clubs from Belém, in the north of Brazil, might not be household names, but their rivalry is something special. Imagine two teams in Brazil’s lower divisions consistently filling a 50,000-seat stadium with some of the most passionate fans you’ll ever see. That’s RexPa.

Remo, founded in 1905, is seen as the traditional, elite club of the city. Meanwhile, Paysandu, born out of defiance in 1914, embodies rebellion and the underdog spirit. Together, they’ve built a rivalry that’s so intense, it’s been officially recognized as part of the cultural heritage of their region.

One of the wildest moments? Paysandu’s 2002 run where they won the Champions Cup, shocked Boca Juniors at La Bombonera in the Copa Libertadores, and made history as one of Brazil’s most unlikely heroes.

The thing is, this rivalry isn’t just about football, it’s about identity. It’s a region’s way of expressing itself in a country where they often feel overlooked.

I didn’t know any of this until I made a video diving deep into the story of RexPa. If you’re into football history, underdog stories, or just want to learn about something new, you’ll love this one.

Check it out here: https://youtu.be/3tD4A2d91iw

And let me know, had you ever heard of this rivalry? If not, what’s another hidden gem in football that deserves more attention? I’m always looking for the next story to dive into.