Atletico Madrid coach Diego Simeone congratulated Barcelona on their title triumph yesterday.

Barca were declared champions after victory at Atletico.

"First of all I congratulate a fair champion. It is deserved. We lost to a genius, Messi," said Simeone.

"In 50 years we won two titles. We must work hard. We are fighting to be third, but it's very difficult to be champion. We try to compete with our weapons. But seeing the reality, it is still a domestic tournament with Sevilla and Valencia. Anyone who reaches the Champions League will be meritorious."