People thought Barcelona were dead: Jordi Alba

Jordi Alba has made 37 appearances for Barcelona this season

Madrid, May 18 (IANS): Defender Jordi Alba feels he and his Barcelona teammates have proved their critics wrong after being crowned La Liga champions.

The Spain defender feels many thought Barcelona "were dead" earlier in the season but their 1-0 win over Atletico Madrid at the Vicente Calderon stadium on Sunday ensured they would win the title, reports The Daily Mail.

Real are now four points behind with just one game remaining, while rivals Barcelona could add the Copa del Rey and Champions League trophies to their cabinet within the next month.

"They thought we were dead but we have had a great season. The truth is that I am very happy. The atmosphere is the best I can remember and hopefully this is just the beginning," Alba told Barca TV.

"This is a great day with lots of joy. This title cost us a lot so I'm very happy and you cannot ask for more. This is a day to savour but we don't know what will happen in the Champions League and Copa del Rey."

Manager Luis Enrique's Barcelona meet Athletic Club Bilbao in the Copa del Rey final on May 30 before facing Italian champions Juventus in their Champions League showdown on June 6.

Coach Carlo Ancelotti's Real, meanwhile, face a dead rubber against Getafe before their season officially ends.