Luis Suarez believes he was underestimated by Barcelona after firing Atletico Madrid to their first LaLiga title in seven years.
The Uruguay international's 21st goal of the campaign secured a 2-1 comeback success at Real Valladolid as Atletico were crowned champions ahead of city rivals Real Madrid.
Suarez hit 195 goals in six prolific seasons with Barca but was allowed to leave the Nou Camp last summer to move to the Spanish capital for a reported fee of just €6m.
The 34-year-old emphatically proved his doubters wrong this term and was in tears at full-time on Sunday afternoon.
"It’s tough. The situation I had to live through, the way I was looked down on, but Atletico opened the door for me," he said, according to Marca.
"A lot of people have suffered with me – my wife, my children.
"Day by day, they are the ones who have suffered the most from my many years in football.
"We’ve had a great year. Despite the difficulties, we were the most consistent team and we’re the champions.
"In the first half of the season we had an efficiency that wasn’t normal."
Second-half goals from Angel Correa and Suarez overturned Oscar Plano’s opener to claim an 11th LaLiga title for Atletico.
Victory for Diego Simeone’s men relegated Valladolid and proved crucial as defending champions Real – who needed to beat Villarreal to stand any chance of snatching the silverware – also overturned a deficit to win 2-1, courtesy of late goals from Karim Benzema and Luka Modric.
The Rojiblancos finished two points clear of Zinedine Zidane’s side, while Suarez’s former club Barcelona were a further five points back in third position.
Manager Simeone was at the helm when Atletico last won the title – in 2014 – and was left with different emotions this time around.
"They’re different, with different feelings. The world is experiencing a very bad situation and I hope that we have given a lot of people some joy," he said.
"Spending 32 weeks on top is huge. I’m grateful, especially to those who played less than others. We remained a team with a goal and we were that at every minute."
Simeone has been in charge of Atletico for the past decade and, while he acknowledges people may grow weary of his methods, believes the club can continue to develop.
"I’ve no doubts that people can get tired," said the 51-year-old.
"But I’m very hard-headed. I knew and know that this club can keep growing and I hope it will continue like this.
"The club keeps growing. All of the unseen people have given the club stability beyond results. They’ve always wanted this. They’re not here celebrating, but soon we’ll all embrace."
Zinedine Zidane refused to discuss his Real Madrid future after they were dethroned as champions.
"I’m not the most important thing here, it’s all about what the players have done all season," the Frenchman said after his side's 2-1 comeback win over Villarreal.
"That’s why we should focus on what we’ve done during the season and then, in time, taking it calmly, we’ll see what happens. I’ll speak to the club in relaxed fashion, but later on, not right now.
"In the next few days we’ll speak to the club, to the people we need to speak to and that’s all there is to it. We’ll soon see what happens, but not just with me, with Real Madrid as a whole for next season.
"Today is a day to congratulate my players. We gave it all we had on the pitch. We haven’t won anything and the players want to win. I’m responsible for all that.
"There are things that are up to me and we’re going to assess all of that. That’s why I want to congratulate the players but what they really want is to win things.
"We have to congratulate Atletico Madrid, they deserve it too, because ultimately, the team that finish first deserve to win it.
"They’ve had a great season and that’s all there is to it. As manager here, it’s a tough one to take because we didn’t win the league."
Villarreal take on Manchester United in the Europa League final on Wednesday and, with a Champions League place on offer for the winner, Villarreal head coach Unai Emery was quick to draw a line under what happened on Saturday.
"We wanted to reach the Europa League but it wasn’t to be," he said. "We are going to the Conference League, although on Wednesday we will fight for 90 minutes to get into the Champions League.
"In the league, we’ve been consistent at some points, but irregular at other points, and we were punished because of that.
"Despite that, I’m happy with the team’s attitude and behaviour. Lucky for us, the season doesn’t end here, and we’ve got to fight next Wednesday for a lovely aim."
