Lionel Messi, arguably the greatest player of all-time, has received his record 5th Golden Shoe award on Tuesday for leading all of Europe’s football leagues in scoring last season.
Messi now leaps ahead of Ronaldo, who was tied with the Argentinian for winning the most number of Golden Shoe awards.
Messi scored 34 goals last season in La Liga and led Barcelona to yet another domestic title. Liverpool and Egyptian forward, Mohammad Salah, came in second with his 32 goals in English Premier League.
Ronaldo, Messi’s fierecest rival, only managed 26 goals in his 52 matches for Spanish giants Real Madrid.
Here are Lionel Messi’s previous Golden Shoe award wins:
| 2009-10 | 34 goals |
| 2011-12 | 50 goals |
| 2012-13 | 46 goals |
| 2016-17 | 37 goals |
| 2017-18 | 34 goals |
The Barcelona forward currently also leads Europe’s top five leagues with 14 goals thus far. Following his victory, Messi said:
The truth is I had no idea this would happen when I started. I dreamt of playing professional football and enjoying success, I love the game, but I never imagined I would have so much.
I enjoy the work, the effort, I’m at the best team in the world and play with the best team-mates in the world, so everything is easier.
The 31-year-old Messi is Barcelona’s all-time goalscorer with 572 goals in 655 appearances. He is regarded as not only the best player at the club but also the world.
