Atlético Madrid must regroup quickly after an unexpected early exit from the Club World Cup, having been eliminated in the group stage and heading home sooner than anticipated.

For Atleti coach Diego Simeone, the primary reason his team failed to advance to the round of 16 was evident: the referees' decisions.

Simeone's team was knocked out despite securing a 1-0 win over Brazil's Botafogo in their final Group B match on Monday, finishing third in a tough group with six points, tied with Paris Saint-Germain and Botafogo but trailing on goal difference.

The critical blow came from their initial 4-0 defeat to PSG, a result that ultimately dashed their hopes in FIFA's newly revamped, high-stakes tournament.

Reflecting on the campaign, Simeone praised his players' efforts while expressing frustration over what he saw as subpar officiating.

"I'm proud of the team's work. We gave it our all and won two of our three matches, yet we're out," he said to DAZN after the Botafogo victory.

"Six points is a solid effort, but the PSG game was decisive, with every referee call going against us. Even today, a penalty was reversed via VAR. It's a pattern we must address to improve and progress."

Simeone's squad entered the United States with strong expectations, featuring stars like Argentine forward Julián Álvarez, former France captain Antoine Griezmann, and other international talents.