Diego Simeone praises "genius" Lionel Messi

Diego Simeone has described Lionel Messi's goal as a "piece of genius" following Barcelona's title-clinching win against Atletico Madrid in La Liga this evening.

The Argentina international scored the only goal in his side's 1-0 victory at the Vicente Calderon, sealing the Catalan side's seventh title in 10 years.

At his post-match press conference, Simeone told reporters: "First of all to congratulate Barca, they deserved to be champions, above all for their superb second half of season. This is absolutely deserved.

"We can just congratulate them, they reacted very well from December. They have excellent players who can decide a game in any moment. They now have two chances to achieve the treble, which is something now in their own hands.

"In the moment when game was most under control, a piece of genius from Lionel appeared. Although it was also a defensive slip from us, but it was a great goal which made them more comfortable in the game. They then did not need to attack. Above all the image that we were competing, and just beaten by piece of genius from Messi."

Atletico sit third in the table following a third straight game without a win.