Atletico Madrid coach Diego Simeone has said the fact that none of his players won a Spanish Football League (LFP) award "did not reflect reality."
Last season's La Liga champions had six nominees across the player categories -- Thibaut Courtois, Felipe Luis, Miranda, Gabi, Koke and Diego Costa -- but did not receive an award.
Simone, named as best coach, made a point of thanking his players in his acceptance speech.
And in interviews with Spanish radio, reported by AS, he said: "I think that saying anything will generate controversy with the boys that won, and if these votes have taken place, they won on merit.
"We always choose names instead of abilities, and Atletico was the best side, at least in the league.
#INSERT type:image caption:Diego Simeone described the players as 'the most important thing.' END#
"But we do not feel belittled by the situation. You can't criticise a colleague for winning an award, but the system is what dictates the names we consume every day.
"But that doesn't reflect reality -- and our players were the best."
He said he believed Courtois, who shone for Atletico on loan from Chelsea, should have scooped the award for best goalkeeper, haling him as better than Keylor Navas, who won it for his performances for Levante.
Speaking about his own accolade, he said: "The players are the most important thing -- they make you a better coach. We have worked together to gain everything we have done.
"There were things when I arrived that needed to be improved, but we have all been pulling in the same direction with the same idea and that made us stronger.
"We were able to build something that doesn't come along that often. I know that we annoy people today -- if you have to play against us, it isn't going to be easy. The demands are greater all the time."