Lionel Messi honored with Trofeo Pichichi and Premi Di Stefano awards
As if Lionel Messi didn't already have enough hardware in his trophy case at the tender age of 23, the Argentinian-born striker was honoured this past week with two more awards – the Trofeo Pichichi and
the Premi Di Stefano.
The Trofeo Pichichi, awarded by the Madrid-based sports newspaper
Marca, was handed to Messi for league-best 34 goals last season in La Liga.
For the second year running, Messi was awarded the Premi Di Stefano as La Liga's top player.
When asked about receiving the awards, and which of his 34 goals was his favorite, according to Barcelona's official website, Messi picked a memorable one for fans.
"It’s true that it’ll be difficult this year, but I really want it to be one of our players who wins the 'Pichichi' this season too. It’s hard to choose from the 34 [goals],
but I guess the second one against Zaragoza was the best."
Messi scored a hat trick in that match, the second one coming from a mazy run which began all the way from midfield. Messi held off one defender to win the ball, embarassed
a second sliding defender with a slick feint, and beat a third defender not once, but twice, before firing a bullet into the bottom corner.
The individual accolades continue to pile up for Messi, and it's shocking to think that his best years could still be ahead of him. Messi also won the FIFA world player
of the year award last season leading Barcelona to an impressive treble of league, cup, and Champions League titles.
Other Barcelona players were honored over the week. Summer signing David Villa
was awarded the Trofeo Zarra for scoring more goals than any other Spanish-born player with 21 goals for his former club Valencia last season.
Barcelona keeper Victor Valdes was also awarded the
Trofeo Zamora for conceding fewer goals than any other starting goalkeeper with just 24.
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