Real Madrid risk giving Barcelona a guard of honour in El Clasico for the first time since 1988 – here’s why

Real Madrid risk giving Barcelona a guard of honour in El Clasico for the first time since 1988 – here’s why

The La Liga title race is practically over following this weekend’s set of results, with Real Madrid dropping points against Girona, allowing Barcelona to secure a nine-point lead at the top.

With just seven matches remaining, Real Madrid would require a miracle from here to get back into contention to win the league.

But beyond the loss of silverware, a more stinging humiliation looms on the horizon: the prospect of performing a guard of honour, or “pasillo,” at the Camp Nou.

The mathematical nightmare

As it stands, if both teams continue their current trajectories, the title could be mathematically decided either during or even before the upcoming Clasico in Barcelona, reports MARCA.

If Real Madrid’s domestic collapse persists and the Blaugrana are crowned champions prior to that match, Los Blancos will face a massive institutional dilemma upon their arrival at the Camp Nou.

Real Madrid must not lose further points if they are to avoid a guard of honour. (Photo by Denis Doyle/Getty Images)

The tradition of the guard of honour has long been a point of contention between the two rivals. The only historical precedent in this specific stadium dates back to 1988, when a gracious Barcelona squad applauded Real Madrid onto the pitch as the confirmed league champions.

Since then, the gesture has become increasingly politicised.

In 2018, a similar situation arose when Real Madrid visited the Camp Nou with Barcelona already having secured the title.

On that occasion, Zinedine Zidane famously settled the debate with a firm refusal, stating, “We will not give Barcelona a guard of honour, that’s my decision.”

Zidane argued that because Barcelona had not performed the gesture after Madrid won the Club World Cup earlier that season, the tradition had been broken.

Now, eight years later, Álvaro Arbeloa and Florentino Pérez find themselves at a similar crossroads.

For a Real Madrid side already reeling from defensive injuries and a seven-point gap that has now swelled to nine, the walk onto the Camp Nou turf could prove to be the most painful moment of the season.