MADRID — Real Madrid are reportedly prepared to decline a traditional guard of honour for Barcelona if their rivals secure the La Liga title before their upcoming El Clásico clash, amid growing friction between Spain’s biggest clubs.
The development adds another layer of tension to one of world football’s fiercest rivalries, as both sides approach the end of a highly charged and emotionally intense season.
Diaspora Digital Media (DDM) understands that the reported decision reflects both competitive disappointment and deteriorating relations between the clubs, with Real Madrid frustrated by a season that has fallen short of expectations.
Madrid’s campaign has included setbacks across multiple competitions, including defeat to FC Barcelona in the Spanish Super Cup, elimination from the Copa del Rey, and a Champions League exit at the hands of Bayern Munich.
In La Liga, Madrid currently trail Barcelona by nine points with only a handful of matches remaining, leaving the title race increasingly out of reach.
As a result, internal focus at the Santiago Bernabéu is said to have shifted from chasing the league crown to finishing the season strongly and rebuilding momentum.
However, attention has now turned to protocol ahead of the next El Clásico, scheduled for May 10 at the Spotify Camp Nou, where tensions could spill beyond the pitch.
Reports suggest that even if Barcelona mathematically secure the La Liga title before the match, Real Madrid will not participate in the customary guard of honour, a gesture traditionally used to acknowledge newly crowned champions.
The stance is believed to be influenced not only by sporting rivalry but also by ongoing controversy surrounding the Negreira case, which has further strained relations between both clubs.
The dispute has intensified long-standing mistrust, with Real Madrid continuing to push for closer scrutiny of Barcelona’s past dealings, deepening divisions within Spanish football’s most high-profile rivalry.
Analysts note that the refusal to perform a guard of honour, while symbolic, would significantly heighten pre-match tension and add emotional weight to an already explosive fixture.
Barcelona, meanwhile, remain focused on sealing the title as quickly as possible and could mathematically confirm the championship before facing their arch-rivals.
As El Clásico approaches, the situation underscores how football’s greatest rivalry continues to extend beyond the pitch, shaped by history, politics, and escalating competitive pressure.
