This Sunday will likely be the last time audiences across the globe get to watch Peyton Manning face off against Tom Brady, and with that in mind, many start to think about the greatest individual rivalries in sports history. Manning and Brady clearly make the list, but who rounds out the top-five greatest individual rivalries in sports history can be found below.
5. Rafael Nadal vs. Roger Federer
Roger Federer has won the most majors of anyone in the history of men's tennis with 17, but Rafeal Nadal is not far behind, being tied for second with tennis great Pete Sampras with 14. Federer and Nadal have been to the most finals of any men's tennis players in the history of the sport. While Federer holds the records and is currently considered by many to be the greatest player to ever pick up a racket, Nadal has an edge in their overall head-to-head record at 23-11. This individual rivalry has given audiences some of the most exciting tennis matches in the history of the sport, including two incredible five-set Wimbledon Finals in 2007 and 2008.
4. Jack Nicklaus vs. Arnold Palmer
The Arnold Palmer/Jack Nicklaus rivalry is the greatest that the historic sport has ever had, and it started with the 1962 U.S Open at Oakmont. Nicklaus had to overcome a three-shot deficit to force an 18-hole playoff with Palmer and made the comeback, beating Palmer by three shots in winning his first major. Nicklaus would go on to win a record 18 majors in his career, and the two finished 1-2 in Grand Slams four times in their historic rivalry. Palmer won seven majors during his career, and the two are consider by most to be the greatest rivals to ever play the sport.
3. Peyton Manning vs. Tom Brady
The Denver Broncos face the New England Patriots in the AFC Championship game this Sunday, and it marks the 17th meeting between the two future Hall of Fame quarterbacks. Patriots quarterback Tom Brady leads the all-time series with an 11-5 record, but the two are tied in the postseason at 2-2. Brady has the most Super Bowl starts of any quarterback in the history of the sport and is tied with former 49ers quarterback Joe Montana and Steelers quarterback Terry Bradshaw with four Super Bowl victories. While Brady has dominated in the postseason, Manning has set NFL records across the board for the quarterback position and has won the league's MVP award a record five times. Both Manning and Brady have beaten each other to reach the Super Bowl, and fans will want to soak in Sunday's AFC Championship game, as this will be the last time fans likely see this historic rivalry.
2. Muhammad Ali vs. Joe Frazier
No rivalry list would be valid if it did not include Muhammad Ali against Joe Frazier, as their boxing matches are ingrained in American history. The two boxers were clearly not fond of each other, and their fights are known as the "blood trilogy." Frazier gave Ali his first professional loss in the "Fight of the Century," but Ali would win their next two matches, including arguably the best boxing match of all time, the "Thrilla in Manila." Ali said that fight was the "closest thing to dyin' I know of." Frazier against Ali will forever be remembered in American culture and clearly deserves to be remembered as one of the greatest rivalries in all of sport.
1. Magic Johnson vs. Larry Bird
There is no greater rivalry in sports than Earvin "Magic" Johnson against Larry Bird, as the two transcended the sport of basketball to new levels of popularity. The rivalry dates back to the 1979 College Basketball National Championship, when Johnson's Michigan State Spartans beat Bird's Indiana State Sycamores. This would only be the first of many meetings between these future NBA legends, as the two would dominate 1980s basketball. However, their teams in the Los Angeles Lakers and Boston Celtics would represent a team in the NBA Finals throughout the decade, with their teams meeting three times in the NBA Finals. Bird and the Celtics won in 1984, but Johnson and the Lakers would win over Boston in both 1985 and 1987. The two would combine for eight NBA Championships, six MVP awards and five NBA Finals MVP Awards.
