Messi awarded fourth European Golden Shoe award

Ryan Young

Messi awarded fourth European Golden Shoe award image

After a three-year hiatus, Lionel Messi is back on top.

Messi was awarded the European Golden Shoe award on Friday after netting 37 goals for FC Barcelona in La Liga's 2016-17 season. It is his fourth time winning the award — given to Europe's top goal scorer. 

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Messi edged out Bas Dost of Portugal's Primeira Liga, who scored 34 goals, and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang of Borussia Dortmund, who scored 31. 

Messi won the award in 2009-10 after scoring 34 goals, in 2011-12 with 50 goals and in 2012-13 with 46 league goals. 

"It's a prize for everyone," Messi said. "Without [my teammates], I wouldn't be able to win this, it's down to the group.

"I have always said I don't consider myself a striker but I have had the luck to score the goals which give me these awards. I notice my evolution. I have grown, both on and off the pitch, adding things to my game. I enjoy being a player more and more all the time."

Messi has now tied Real Madrid's Ciristiano Ronaldo for the most Golden Shoe awards. 

 

Ryan Young