Jose Mourinho led Real Madrid to the Primera Liga title on Wednesday night - and promptly claimed it was the toughest of his career.
Real sealed their 32nd crown - and their manager's seventh domestic league title - with an emphatic 3-0 win at Athletic Bilbao.
The result means the Madrid club are seven points clear of rivals Barcelona with just two games to play.
And despite having already won league championships with Porto, Chelsea and Inter Milan, Mourinho believes Barcelona's brilliance makes this his sweetest victory yet.
The 49-year-old told RealMadridTV: "I won the league title in Portugal, Italy and England, but this one has been the toughest.
"I've won seven league titles overall and I know what it feels like.
"Barcelona won all their games, as befits the great team that they are. They've been winning to the very last day.
"They are a club with great tradition that knows we deserved to win this title."
Celebrations
Mourinho and his players will celebrate their first league title since 2008 in traditional fashion by the Cibeles fountain in Madrid on Friday before visiting Granada at the weekend.
They must then complete their league programme with a home game against Real Mallorca and Real's Portuguese coach hopes the Bernabeu fans give the players the reception they deserve.
Mourinho added: "We have to celebrate this championship (but then) we have to continue working after tomorrow because next season will also be tough and we have games to play still in this campaign.
"This team deserves even more emotion and affection, and I expect the Bernabeu to give it to them in our match against Mallorca."
Midfielder Xabi Alonso also feels the calibre of Real's opponent in the race for the league title makes this achievement even more special.
The 30-year-old Spain international said: "We finally managed to win La Liga. It's been a long season and there's a lot of merit in winning the title with two games left in the championship. We have to enjoy it now.
"We competed all season with a great opponent like Barcelona, and that's why there's so much merit in winning the title before the campaign ends. We've had a great run.
"We've been regular and consistent. I dedicate this to my family, friends and all Madridistas."
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