Real Madrid Unlikely to Give Barcelona a Guard of Honour in El Clásico if Barça Seal La Liga Title Tonight

 

Barcelona Could Be Crowned La Liga Champions Before Next El Clásico Clash

Barcelona are on the verge of securing the La Liga title, and they could officially be crowned champions as early as tonight if Real Madrid drop points against Espanyol.

A draw or defeat for Madrid would hand Barça the Spanish league crown before their next highly anticipated El Clásico showdown against their fiercest rivals.

However, despite the long-standing Spanish football tradition, Real Madrid are not expected to give Barcelona a Guard of Honour before the next Clásico.

What Is the Guard of Honour Tradition in Spain?

The Guard of Honour (Pasillo) is a respected football tradition where players line up before kickoff to applaud the newly crowned champions of a competition.

This gesture is seen as a mark of respect and sportsmanship, recognizing the title winners in their next official match.

In Spain, this tradition has often sparked controversy, particularly when it involves bitter rivals like Barcelona and Real Madrid.

Why Real Madrid May Refuse the Gesture

Reports suggest that Los Blancos are not planning to perform the ceremonial pasillo for Barcelona, even if Hansi Flick’s side secure the title before the clash.

Main reasons include:

• Intense rivalry between the two clubs
• Historical tensions surrounding previous pasillo situations
• Madrid’s stance on limiting symbolic gestures toward direct rivals
• Focus on sporting competition rather than ceremonial recognition

This decision could reignite debate among football fans and Spanish media.

Historical Context: Previous Guard of Honour Controversies

The Guard of Honour tradition has not always been consistently observed in Spain.

One of the most notable examples came in 2018, when Barcelona won La Liga but Real Madrid declined to perform the gesture, citing that Barça had previously refused them in other competitions.

This precedent makes the current situation unsurprising for many supporters.

Fan Reactions Expected to Divide Football World

If Madrid refuse the Guard of Honour:

• Barcelona fans may view it as disrespectful
• Madrid supporters may defend it as protecting club pride
• Neutral fans could see it as another chapter in football’s fiercest rivalry

Regardless, the build-up to El Clásico is set to become even more explosive.

Barcelona’s Potential Title Celebration

Should Real Madrid fail to beat Espanyol, Barcelona would:

• Officially win La Liga
• Celebrate another major domestic triumph
• Enter El Clásico as confirmed champions
• Add further pressure on Madrid in one of football’s biggest fixtures

Final Thoughts

Barcelona stand just one Real Madrid slip away from becoming La Liga champions, but all eyes will quickly shift to whether Madrid will uphold Spanish football tradition.

While the Guard of Honour symbolizes respect, El Clásico has always been about rivalry, pride, and history—making a ceremonial gesture increasingly unlikely.

Whether Madrid choose tradition or rivalry, this storyline adds another dramatic layer to one of the sport’s most iconic rivalries.