Barcelona players dedicated the La Liga title to manager Tito Vilanova and teammate Eric Abidal, both of whom battled life-threatening illnesses during the season.
Barca wrapped up their 22nd La Liga crown following Real Madrid's 1-1 draw against Espanyol Saturday. Atletico Madrid gave a guard of honor to the newly-crowned Spanish league champions, before Barcelona edged the Madrid side 2-1 at the Vicente Calderon Stadium.
"I'm very pleased, winning this title has been a long process but we've done it, now we have to celebrate it with the importance it deserves," Barcelona fullback Dani Alves was quoted as saying by the club's official website.
"If it were so easy to win La Liga, we wouldn't have lost it last season.
"I remember when Abidal and Tito returned (to the team). It's been a special year because we've won something more important than just a cup, we've won the battle for Abi and Tito's lives.
"This league is for them, for everything they've had to suffer."
"We've experienced a lot of special moments this season. For example, Abidal and Tito ... those moments (when they returned to the team) were touching," Alexis Sanchez added.
Gerard Pique said the ease with which Barcelona won the title proved they were the best side in La Liga.
"We've had an exceptional league campaign, 10 out of 10," he said. "The season, which was nearly perfect for us, saw us get very close to the Cup and Champions League finals. The team put in a brutal effort to get there (the finals).
"I'm eager to celebrate this title. It's been a difficult year, and now we have to celebrate. We're the best team in La Liga.
"Last night some of us gathered to celebrate. We have to celebrate, we need to enjoy this."
Former Arsenal skipper Cesc Fabregas was over the moon after winning his first Spanish league crown.
"I'm very pleased we won the title, I'm very proud, it's a dream for me, it's very special," the Spanish international said. "It's the most important title I've won on the club level."
"We would have suffered if we had given Madrid a chance to win the title, but whenever they got close, we won."
Andres Iniesta emphasized the importance for Barcelona to have wrested back the La Liga title from Real Madrid.
"It was an evenly matched game, there weren't big chances for either side, but in the end we turned the game around and we won all three points," Iniesta said. "The most important thing is that we're league champions.
"Winning the league like this is different, but we're very happy, now it's time to enjoy it with our fans and our families."
