Messi is the best, anew!
BAGS FOURTH PICHICHI AWARD AND FIFTH DI STEFANO TROPHY
Barcelona star Lionel Messi has received La Liga's top scorer and best player awards for the 2016-2017 football season.
The Argentine striker scored 37 goals in league action last season to earn his fourth Pichichi award for most goals in La Liga and his fifth Alfredo di Stefano trophy for best player.
"As I always say, if the individual awards come, they are welcome, but my main goal is to fight for all the titles," Messi said during the Marca football awards ceremony here on Monday.
"As I said in the (European) Golden Shoe ceremony award, I would like to dedicate (these trophies) to the locker room," Messi said.
The ceremony comes days before the highly anticipated match between leader Barcelona and defending champion Real Madrid on December 23.
"It is a special match because of what it means, because it is against Real Madrid and at their stadium. If we win, we will have a big advantage (14 points)," Messi said.
Although he downplayed the game's importance in the fight for the title, Messi said it would be nice if the team ended the year in an auspicious fashion.
Meanwhile, club teammate Andres Iniesta was named Spain’s best player after helping his country to qualify for the 2018 FIFA World Cup.
In other awards Atletico Madrid’s Jan Oblak was named the goalkeeper of the year while Celta Vigo was given the Zarra trophy for being the Spanish top scorer in La Liga.
Barcelona who face Real Madrid in their game are six points clear of second-placed Atletico Madrid and 11 points ahead of Los Blancos. The upcoming EL Clasico will be played at the Santiago Bernabeu on Saturday.