Barcelona coach Ernesto Valverde insists a 'guard of honour' would never be contemplated before today's clash at Real Madrid.

Valverde has indicated that he wouldn't want one if the roles were reversed.

"A [guard of honour] was something done years ago as a symbolic tribute, as recognition between players, when football had not acquired this nuance that is contaminating everything," Valverde told reporters on Friday.

"We do have recognition towards Madrid, for what they have achieved this year.

"On the notion of a guard of honour, I wouldn't do it for anyone, nor would I want it to be done for us. It has now has lost the essence that it had a few years ago."