Lionel Messi named La Liga’s best player for 2014-15

Barcelona win five awards to Real Madrid’s three at annual Spanish top flight ceremony

Lionel Messi has again been crowned the Spanish La Liga’s best player for 2014-15 at the gala LFP Awards ceremony in Barcelona on Monday night.

It was the sixth time in the awards’ seven-year history that Messi has claimed the top prize, with last year’s winner Cristiano Ronaldo the only other recipient last year.

The prize, which comes on the same day the pair were named on the Ballon d’Or shortlist, was one of two picked up by the Argentine star, as Barca and Real Madrid all but swept the board.

Having guided Barca to the treble in his debut season in charge the club, Luis Enrique was named coach of the year, while two of his star forwards were also recognized.

Messi picked up the Best Striker award in addition to his Best Player prize, winning both for the sixth time, with teammate Neymar – the third man on the Ballon d’Or shortlist – claiming Best American Player.

“It is a source of pride for me to receive this award [Best Player] ahead of of so many important players in the league, I’m very happy,” Messi said. “This award, in particular, I want to dedicate to my son Thiago, even if he does not fully understand yet.”

The Argentina maestro claimed the award along with being chosen as forward of the year on a night which saw his treble-winning Barca side rewarded for their dominance of the league and Europe.

The best African player award went to Valencia’s Algerian winger Sofiane Feghouli.

Barca boss Luis Enrique bagged the best coach award, while Claudio Bravo won best goalkeeper and Neymar was nominated best American player.

Real Madrid won in three categories, Sergio Ramos picking up best defender, James Rodriguez taking the best midfielder title and Cristiano Ronaldo nominated as the ‘fans’ five-star player’.

The awards event was held at the Auditori Forum in Barcelona and was attended by more than 1,000 guests.