Atletico Madrid right-back Juanfran has praised head coach Diego Simeone for his contribution to the club's success in 2013.

The capital outfit won the Copa del Rey last season, while they will enter 2014 level on points with Barcelona at the top of La Liga.

"In Spanish football in general we have created a dream and a desire amongst fans that we can fight with Madrid and Barcelona with their budgets and their workforce," Juanfran told AS.

"Hopefully, for the sake of Spanish football, it is not only Atleti that can do this kind of thing, that there are more teams fighting up there with Real Madrid and Barcelona.

"And for that we must continue along the same line. I can only thank El Cholo for these two years he has been with us. Is Diego Simeone the architect behind our success? We trust our Coach, because he knows how to get the best out of each of us."

Juanfran is expected to go to the World Cup with Spain next summer.