Messi Wins Record Golden Shoe Award,Humbled By Personal Successes

By Max Wise

Lionel Messi’s personal trophy cabinet is set to welcome yet another award after the five-time Ballon D’or winner was presented with the European Golden Shoe award for a record fifth time.

Messi scored 34 La Liga goals in 36 games last season, which was the most in Europe’s top Leagues, en route to winning the Spanish La Liga with Barcelona.

After being handed his award at the Antiga Fàbrica Estrella Damm venue in Barcelona on Tuesday, Messi acknowledged that he didn’t think he would come this far at the start of his career.

 "I did not expect this when I started," Messi said at the event. "My professional dream was to be able to succeed in football, I never imagined this.

"I enjoy my work, the effort and, above all, the teammates. I'm in the best team in the world, I have the best teammates in the world in their positions and that makes everything easier getting these awards.

"Thanks to God, I feel very good physically and emotionally. The years go by and I try to take care of myself, as I have done my whole career, and more, because the games are increasingly demanding."