Atletico Madrid defender Diego Godin says his coach Diego Simeone clearly deserves to win this year's FIFA World Coach of the Year award.
Simeone was not even nominated for the 2013 prize, despite his remarkable achievement in turning previous also-rans Atletico into a force at domestic and European level, and winning the 2013 Copa del Rey trophy.
The Argentine has been named on the 2014 shortlist alongside Real Madrid's Carlo Ancelotti, Germany's Joachim Low, Bayern's Pep Guardiola and Chelsea's Jose Mourinho.
Colchoneros centre-back Godin, who himself was overlooked by those compiling the Ballon d'Or nominees, told Al Primer Toque that Simeone's efforts in getting a mostly unheralded group of players to win the 2013-14 La Liga title and reach the 2014 Champions League final should be recognised appropriately.
"For me Simeone has to win the [coaches] Ballon d'Or, and by a long way," Godin said. "To have achieved what he did last season with a group of players who for many are not rated too highly, I believe that the merit is double."
Atletico are also performing well this season, having already beaten Madrid in the Spanish Supercopa, and have overcome a tricky start to top their Champions League group and sit just one point behind their neighbours from the Spanish capital atop the La Liga standings.
All this has been achieved despite the loss of star players including Diego Costa and Thibaut Courtois last summer, Godin pointed out.
"Last year was spectacular, tremendous, we had different style of play and players," he said. "This is a different team, not better or worse. Important players left and other very important players have arrived.
"The team is getting better since the season started. It keeps improving and growing and we are feeling good, finding a style of play. We have a lot of options with high quality players. It is about trying to improve, but the most important is to win games, which we are doing."
Tuesday night saw Atletico win 2-0 at Malmo in the Champions League, with midfielder Koke opening the scoring with a clever back-heeled finish. The youngster told Canal Plus after the game that he was happy to score, but his main job remained further back on the pitch.
"I go out to help the team and do what the boss asks me," Koke said. "That is my job, then its good if I can get an assist, and even better if I can score. I am there to bring things."
Malmo are playing in the group stages of the Champions League for the first time, but have built a decent record in Europe through recent years, and had not conceded in eight home games in continental competition until Koke's goal.
"They were on a good run at home and we had to be strong," he said. "We knew it would be difficult. The victory was difficult but we managed it. Now we are leaders. We have been strong in defence and that's why we won."
Atletico top their group on nine points from four games, and Koke stated the aim is to seal qualification in their next game at home to Olympiakos, before the meeting with Juventus on the final matchday.
Juventus' 3-2 win means they drew level on six points with Olympiakos, leaving the Spanish side with a three-point advantage. They will secure their place in the round of 16 with victory over the Greek side in Madrid in three weeks.
"It was very important to win here, we were aware of the other game on the scoreboard," he said. "Now we have to beat Olympiakos at home and make sure of qualification."