Chelsea forward Fernando Torres has praised former side Atletico Madrid for their staying power in the La Liga title race this season.

The Spanish international is still regarded as a cult hero at the Vicente Calderon after scoring 91 times for the club between 2000 and 2007 before moving to Liverpool.

"Simeone said it is a two-horse title race, but the fact that Atlético is up there deserves great credit. I really hope the team can match them until the end," he told Marca.

"There's a lot of financial and social inequality in relation to Barca and Real Madrid. Normally you wouldn't expect Atletico to win the title, but we're almost in March and the team is level with Barca and three points off Real Madrid, who now has to visit the Calderon. It will be 11 against 11."

Torres has been linked with a return to Spain at the end of the season.