Barcelona star Lionel Messi, the favourite to win FIFA's prestigious Ballon d'Or title, was on Monday voted the best player in the Spanish league last season ahead of Real Madrid rival Cristiano Ronaldo
Barcelona: Barcelona star Lionel Messi, the favourite to win FIFA's prestigious Ballon d'Or title, was on Monday voted the best player in the Spanish league last season ahead of Real Madrid rival Cristiano Ronaldo.
Lionel Messi with son Thiago
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It is the sixth time that the Argentinian has won the title in seven editions of the trophy given by the Spanish football league.
Messi was selected following a computer analysis of the players' statistics in the championship. "I'm proud to receive this award ahead of so many important players in La Liga," said Messi.
"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."
Messi also won the vote for the best striker. Barcelona's Claudio Bravo was voted the best goalkeeper and Luis Enrique top coach while Real Madrid's Sergio Ramos and James Rodriguez were named best defender and midfielder respectively.
Barcelona's Neymar got the best player from the American continent while Ronaldo, who scored the most La Liga goals last season with 48, won the public's choice award.