Messi beats Ronaldo in La Liga awards

Lionel Messi was named La Liga’s best striker and best player in the 2014-15 season at the LFP (Spanish Football League) Gala Awards Ceremony on Monday night, helping Barcelona to claim five prizes to rival club Real Madrid’s three.

Messi, 28, scored 43 La Liga goals last campaign as Barca won the league title as well as the Copa del Rey and the Champions League.

It is the sixth time the Argentina international has won the prizes, with Real Madrid’s Cristiano Ronaldo beating him in 2013-14.

“I’m proud to receive this award ahead of so many important players in La Liga,” Messi, who was named on the FIFA Ballon d’Or shortlist alongside Ronaldo and Barca teammates Neymar, said.

“This award in particular I want to dedicate to my son Thiago [aged 3] even if he still doesn’t understand very well. Every time I leave the house he gets angry and asks me: ‘Papa, are you going again to score goals?’ This award is for him.”

Ronaldo was named the Fans’ Five-Star Player after supporters voted for their favourite player on mahou.es following each matchday last season.

Messi, whose best player award was determined by technical data, added: “I am happy to be once more among the three best, and to go to another gala.

“Happy to be with Neymar. Luis Suarez also deserved to be among the three best, but that is to take nothing away from Cristiano Ronaldo, who also deserved it.”

Goalkeeper Claudio Bravo, forward Neymar and head coach Luis Enrique also claimed prizes at the ceremony.

Bravo was named best goalkeeper after conceding 19 times during the 2014-15 season, and he said “being here is an enormous privilege and receiving this award is a dream come true.”

Neymar was named best player from the Americas, and the Brazil star said: “I am really happy to have won the award. I thank my teammates for all they do.”

Real Madrid duo Sergio Ramos and James Rodriguez were named best defender and midfielder respectively, while Valencia’s Sofiane Feghouli was named best African player.

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