5 Most Fanatical Soccer Supporters in The World

    In this day and age who doesn't know about football, this sport is one of the most popular since ancient times until now it is still popular and loved by various ages. Behind the success of this sport is not only because of the great team or coach, but there is a figure behind all of those who is willing and remains loyal to support in various situations of his team when it is down or being great, namely soccer fans or commonly referred to as supporters. In various parts of the world, soccer teams must have supporters who are very loyal and also have their own characteristics, but behind all that, supporters who are very fanatical can sometimes make the team they support experience losses and negative impacts due to actions that are too fanatical by their supporters. Supporters usually look very fanatical if their favorite team loses to the rival team because the pride of the supporter and the team is at stake when meeting the rival team, pleasure, sadness, disappointment is at stake during the match. Here I will discuss 5 soccer supporters in the world who are the most fanatical in supporting their pride team.

1. Ultras Sur ( Real Madrid )

Ultras Sur is the most well known and controversial ultras group in soccer history, which for decades has been an integral part of the atmosphere at Real Madrid's Santiago Bernabeu stadium. The group was formed in the early 1980s and quickly gained a reputation as the most fanatical supporters of Los Blancos. They are known for their creativity in supporting the team with choreography, distinctive chants and the use of large banners and symbols to show their dominance in the stands. However, despite their fanaticism for Real Madrid, the Ultras Sur are also known for their far-right political ideology, violent behavior and involvement in incidents that tarnish the club's reputation.

As a hard line fan group, the Ultras Sur are often involved in clashes with ultras from rival clubs, such as Atletico Madrid's Frente Atletico and Barcelona's Boixos Nois. Already heated rivalries on the pitch often spill over outside the stadium, where physical confrontations between fans are not uncommon. In addition, they also have a history of conflicts with security and even with other Madrid supporters who do not share their ideology or way of supporting the team. Their presence creates an aura of fear in the stands, which puts pressure on Real Madrid to take action against the group.

In 2014, after years of violent incidents and pressure from many quarters, Florentino Pérez, president of Real Madrid, finally took the decisive step of banning the presence of Ultras Sur at the Santiago Bernabéu. In its place, the club created the “Grada Fans RMCF”, a more welcoming and inclusive section of the stands for all Madrid supporters without political affiliation or violence.This decision was widely supported by many who wanted a safer and more positive atmosphere in the stadium, but for some hardliners, it was seen as a betrayal of a long tradition of fanaticism.

Despite being officially banned, Ultras Sur's imprint is still felt among Real Madrid fans, with some of its former members still actively supporting the team, although they no longer have much influence inside the stadium, some of them also continue to appear in actions outside the stadium, such as escorting the Real Madrid team bus into the stadium for crucial matches or on trips abroad, and to this day, Ultras Sur remains one of the most controversial ultras groups in soccer history, remembered for their incredible fanaticism towards Real Madrid and the dark side that comes with it.

2. ultrAslan ( Galatasaray S.K. )

Galatasaray fans are among the most passionate and intimidating in world football, creating an electrifying and often frightening atmosphere at RAMS Park (formerly Türk Telekom Stadium). The Ultraslan group has gained a reputation for organizing huge tifos, non-stop chants and dazzling firework displays that turn the stadium into a cauldron of noise, especially during high stakes matches against rivals such as Fenerbahçe and Beşiktaş. Galatasaray fans even broke the record for the loudest crowd noise in 2011, reaching 140.76 decibels, proving their commitment and impact on the game. Their unwavering support goes beyond domestic football, creating a hostile environment for European teams traveling to the UEFA Champions League and earning the club the nickname “Welcome to Hell”. Opposing players often describe playing for Galatasaray as one of the most terrifying experiences in world football. Outside the stadium, Galatasaray's fan base is deeply embedded in Turkish culture, with millions of loyal supporters across the country and around the world. Their devotion to the club is not just about football, it is a way of life, symbolizing unity, pride and an unbreakable bond with their team.

3. Boca Juniors and River Plate

Argentina's two most successful and historic clubs, Boca Juniors and River Plate, have one of the fiercest and most passionate rivalries in world football. Their fan base is one of the most loyal, creating an unrivalled football culture that characterises Argentine society. This rivalry, known as El Superclásico, transcends sporting boundaries, symbolising deep social and cultural differences. Boca Juniors, traditionally associated with the working-class areas of Buenos Aires, has a fan base known as La 12 (the 12th man), famous for its incessant chanting, bright yellow and blue flags and huge presence in La Bombonera stadium, famous for its intense and claustrophobic atmosphere. On the other hand, River Plate, historically associated with Buenos Aires' wealthiest neighbourhoods and known as Los Millonarios, has an equally loyal fan base that fills Argentina's largest stadium, the Estadio Monumental, with dazzling tifo displays and grumbling chants.  

The passion of Boca and River fans extends beyond the stadium. It fosters a culture where soccer is almost a religion, influencing everyday conversation, music and even politics. Their rivalry often leads to fierce battles both on and off the pitch, and on Superclásico match days, entire countries freeze in place. The intensity of this rivalry sometimes escalates into violent clashes between ultras groups, such as Boca's La 12 and River's Los Borrachos del Tablón in long-running confrontations. Nonetheless, the level of support for both clubs is undeniable River Plate had the highest attendance in the world in 2023, proving its unparalleled loyalty, while Boca's unique stadium experience remains one of the most sought-after in world football. The loyalty of these fans is not just about football; it reflects identity, pride and a lifelong commitment to their favorite clubs.

4. Bobotoh/Viking ( Persib Bandung )

Bobotoh, the loyal fans of Persib Bandung, are one of the most fanatical and influential fan groups in Indonesian football. They are known for their boundless loyalty and incredible support for their beloved team, both on and off the pitch. One of the largest supporter groups within Bobotoh is Viking Persib, which since its inception in 1993 has become a symbol of fanaticism and pride for the people of Bandung and West Java. The atmosphere at Gelora Bandung Lautan Abe Stadium or other Persib stadiums is always filled with chanting, dancing and the unwavering passion of the Bobotoh, creating an oppressive atmosphere for opposing teams.  

Bobotoh's support for Persib is not just limited to match days, but also manifests in everyday life. Their identity as fans is deeply rooted in the local culture, making Persib more than just a football club, but part of the Sundanese identity. They follow the team everywhere, whether playing in Bandung or away, and show unwavering loyalty. However, behind these militant cheers, Bobotoh also has a history of fierce rivalry with supporters of other clubs, especially with Persija Jakarta's The Jak Ansar. This rivalry often leads to tensions that affect the overall atmosphere of Indonesian football Despite the negative incidents that occur, Bobotoh always tries to show the positive side of supporting Persib, with various creative actions and peaceful campaigns to maintain the image of Indonesian football supporters. Moreover, the high solidarity among Bobotoh members makes them more than just a community of supporters, but a big family that is always ready to support their team in any situation. Persib and Bobotoh are two inseparable entities, where the success and failure of the club are always felt together, strengthening the emotional bond that has been established for decades.

5. Colchoneros ( Atletico Madrid )

Known as the Colchoneros, they have a reputation for being extremely loyal, passionate and tireless in their support of their team, both when they are at their best and when they are going through difficult times. Atlético de Madrid have always had an identity as a hard-working team, and this fighting spirit is reflected in the mentality of their supporters. They fill the Estadio Cívitas Metropolitano with chants, choreography and an intimidating atmosphere. One of the most famous ultras in Atlético's history is Frente Atlético, which has been part of the supporters' culture since 1982. The group is known for its militant support for the team, although it is often involved in controversy, including strong rivalries with Real Madrid (Ultras Sur) and Barcelona (Boixos Nois) supporters. Atletico supporters are not only present inside the stadium, but also throughout the city of Madrid, where murals, flags and club symbols abound as evidence of the strong bond between the team and its supporters.

While Atlético de Madrid supporters are known for their loyalty and fighting spirit, there is also a negative side that is often associated with some of them, especially ultras like Frente Atlético. This group has a long history of violence, both inside and outside the stadium. One of the most notorious incidents occurred in 2014, when members of Frente Atlético clashed with the Deportivo de La Coruña (Riazor Blues) ultra group, resulting in the death of a Deportivo fan who was thrown into a river in Madrid. In addition to acts of physical violence, some Atlético supporter groups also have a bad reputation for racist and discriminatory chants. 

On several occasions, supporters have been caught on camera hurling racist insults at opposition players, including an incident against Real Madrid's Vinícius Jr. This is a serious problem in La Liga, and both the league and clubs are trying to curb such behavior. The rivalry between Real Madrid and Barcelona often escalates tensions, both inside the stadium and off the pitch. Clashes between supporters are common, especially in important matches such as El Derbi Madrileño against Real Madrid. On several occasions, their ultras have also been associated with extreme political ideologies, further complicating the image of Atletico supporters in the public eye.

CONCLUSION

In conclusion, fanaticism in football reflects the incredible passion of supporters who are not only an important element in building the atmosphere of the game, but also contribute to the identity and history of the club. Groups such as Ultras Sur, ultrAslan, The Kop, La 12, and Delije show boundless dedication to their teams, both in terms of creative support and unwavering loyalty. However, excessive fanaticism can also have negative impacts, such as violent incidents and controversies that tarnish the sport's reputation.

Are you a good football supporter? the spirit of supporting the team must be kept within the boundaries of sportsmanship so that soccer remains a unifying, not divisive, event.