Perea has been a regular for Colombia since 2003 but, for the second time in his international career, they have endured the frustration of failing to make the finals.
"Nothing compares to playing at the World Cup," the central defender told Reuters after Atletico's 2-1 win over Fulham after extra time in Wednesday's final.
"A title at club level gives me enormous satisfaction, but the best thing that can happen to a player is to defend the colours of your country in a World Cup."
"The truth is that we need to play at the World Cup again."
"I think we took too long to bring in the younger players and mix them with the older generation," he said.
"It's a change which has been very difficult for us to make. I think we have to plan things well if we want to get to the 2014 World Cup."
"He knows Colombian football, he knows how things work, he knows how to take a team to the World Cup," said Perea.
"We have confidence in him, we are going to give everything on our part, I hope we can find a good squad and get the maximum from them."
"Unfortunately, I'm not going to be there but I'm going to cross my fingers and will a South American team to win the World Cup," said Perea.
