Carles Puyol’s Words on Giving a Pasillo to Real Madrid in 2008

The then-Barcelona captain said he felt he had to do it.

Real Madrid should be giving Barcelona a pasillo, or guard of honor, in the upcoming clásico. Barcelona won the La Liga title last weekend by beating Deportivo La Coruña 4-2, and tradition dictates that, prior to their next match, their opponents should applaud the newly-crowned champions.

But Real Madrid have made it clear they are not willing to do it and will break the tradition this weekend.

Perhaps it would be enlightening to see what Carles Puyol said in 2008, the last time either team gave the other a pasillo:

“As a culé, I do not like it. But as a sportsman, you have to recognize the champion, and that is what we will do. They have won it on the pitch.”

Puyol was Barcelona’s captain at the time.