Simeone's Atletico, who are second, mustering rare resistance from outside of Real Madrid to Barcelona this season, lost 4-1 on Sunday.

"La Liga is boring", Simeone was quoted as saying by AS. "Barcelona play in a different league to the rest," Simeone added, before praising Leo Messi, who has now scored 90 goals in 2012.

"He is the best in the world. All of Barca are important but he opens and closes games. He is brilliant, different and I am glad he is Argentine."