OM-PSG: The Classic Rivalry Fades Amidst Growing Disparity

The fading rivalry: OM vs PSG loses its spark

Marseille, France – September 2026: The once-celebrated “Classique” encounter between Olympique de Marseille (OM) and Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) is no longer the thrilling spectacle it used to be. As the fifth round of the Ligue 1 season approaches, the gulf in class between these two football giants has never been more pronounced.

A rivalry born from television, now history

The OM-PSG rivalry was initially concocted in the early 1990s by Canal+ to boost sales of their decoders. However, the competitive edge that fueled this rivalry has dissipated over the years. OM and PSG have diverged significantly, operating in different leagues of performance and ambition.

Bixente Lizarazu, speaking on Téléfoot, emphasized that the “Classique” has lost its relevance. “It’s now the ‘Olympico’ between OM and OL that holds more significance,” he remarked, reflecting on the dwindling competitive parity between OM and PSG, especially after OM’s squad was trimmed down.

The imbalance in competition

The prospect of OM securing a favorable result against PSG seems slim. “Paris can win even on a bad day, while Marseille might lose despite playing well,” a sports analyst noted. The stark reality is that no current OM player would make it into PSG’s starting lineup. The possibility of a miraculous victory remains, but the practical outlook is bleak.

Despite the odds, OM can draw some inspiration from their last triumph at home against PSG, where they clinched a 1-0 victory thanks to an own goal by Marquinhos on September 22, 2025. This victory coincided with Ousmane Dembélé’s Ballon d’Or win, marking a rare highlight in an otherwise challenging rivalry for Marseille.