Barcelona defender Eric García has reiterated his commitment to sportsmanship in LaLiga, stating that he and his teammates would perform the traditional “pasillo” — a guard of honor for the league champions — regardless of which team wins the title. His comments, made in a recent interview with MARCA, come amid ongoing debate about the gesture’s relevance in modern football, particularly following Atlético Madrid’s narrow victory over Barcelona in the Champions League quarterfinals.
The “pasillo” is a longstanding Spanish football custom where players form a corridor to applaud the league champions as they enter the pitch for their first match after securing the title. While not mandatory, We see widely seen as a sign of respect. García emphasized that the gesture is about honoring the achievement, not the identity of the winner.
“Nosotros haríamos el pasillo fuera el rival que fuera,” García said, translating to “We would do the pasillo regardless of who the opponent is.” He framed the act as a reflection of LaLiga’s values, suggesting that sporting integrity should transcend rivalry.
The comments follow Barcelona’s 1-0 loss to Atlético Madrid in the first leg of their Champions League quarterfinal tie at the Metropolitano Stadium on April 9, 2024. Atlético advanced to the semifinals with a 2-1 aggregate win after a 1-1 draw in the second leg at Camp Nou on April 17. The ties were marked by physical intensity and several contentious refereeing decisions, prompting García to later critique officiating in interviews with Mundo Deportivo, where he described certain calls as “extrañas” and difficult to understand.
Despite the Champions League disappointment, García maintained focus on domestic competitions. Barcelona entered the final stretch of the 2023-24 LaLiga season in second place, trailing leaders Girona by three points with four matches remaining. A win in their final fixture against Sevilla on May 26 would have secured second place, but Girona’s title challenge ultimately fell short as Real Madrid clinched the championship with four matches to spare after a 3-0 win over Cádiz on May 4.
Real Madrid were confirmed as 2023-24 LaLiga champions on May 4, triggering the traditional pasillo opportunity for other teams. Barcelona hosted Real Madrid in El Clásico at Camp Nou on May 26, the final matchday of the season. Despite the rivalry, Barcelona players formed the pasillo as Real Madrid took the pitch before the match, which ended in a 0-0 draw. García started the game and played the full 90 minutes.
The gesture was noted by LaLiga officials as a reaffirmation of mutual respect between Spain’s two most successful clubs. Javier Tebas, LaLiga president, has previously defended the pasillo as a cultural hallmark of Spanish football, stating in 2022 that it “represents the values we want to promote: humility in victory and respect in defeat.”
García, a product of La Masia, Barcelona’s famed youth academy, returned to the club in 2021 after a season with Manchester City. He has made over 100 appearances across all competitions since his return, establishing himself as a reliable presence in central defense. Known for his composure on the ball and tactical intelligence, García has often spoken publicly about the importance of collective values over individual accolades.
His stance on the pasillo aligns with comments made by teammates such as Pedri and Gavi, who have also expressed support for maintaining the tradition. In contrast, some Atlético Madrid players have been less enthusiastic about the gesture in recent years, particularly after losses to Real Madrid, though Diego Simeone has not publicly opposed it.
The practice of the pasillo has occasionally sparked debate in other leagues. In England, for example, Premier League clubs have generally avoided formal guards of honor, citing fixture congestion and competitive integrity. However, exceptions have occurred, such as Liverpool’s pasillo for Manchester City in 2019 and Arsenal’s for Chelsea in 2010.
As Barcelona prepares for the 2024-25 season under head coach Xavi Hernández, García is expected to remain a key figure in the defensive lineup. The club has confirmed plans to retain its core squad while pursuing targeted additions in midfield and attack during the summer transfer window. Official preseason fixtures are scheduled to commence in late July, with the LaLiga season set to kick off on August 17, 2024.
For now, García’s remarks serve as a reminder of the enduring emphasis on respect within Spanish football culture — even amid fierce rivalry and European disappointment. His message underscores a belief that traditions like the pasillo, when upheld sincerely, can reinforce the sporting ethos that transcends match results.
Barcelona’s next official match is scheduled for July 31, 2024, in a friendly against AC Milan as part of their U.S. Preseason tour. Fans can follow updates through the club’s official website and social media channels.
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