LONDON: Lionel
Messi was named the best player in La Liga for the 2014-15 campaign, staving off competition from Barcelona teammates Neymar, Luis Suarez and rival Cristiano
Ronaldo.
The
Argentina star netted 43 goals last season - five less than
Ronaldo - but still managed to scoop the award.
As well as winning the Best Player award, he also won the Best Forward award.
His boss at Barca, Luis Enrique, took home the Best Coach gong after guiding the Catalan giants to the La Liga title, as well as the Copa del Rey and Champions League, in his first season in charge.
The annual awards ceremony, which
Ronaldo didn't attend, also saw James Rodriguez pip Andres Iniesta to the Best Midfielder award.
Messi and
Ronaldo have shared the prestigious individual gong for the past seven seasons, with the Argentine winning the 2009, 2010, 2011 and 2012 awards and the Portuguese nabbing the 2008, 2013 and 2014 awards. (Mirror.co.uk)