BARCELONA: Barcelona forward Lionel Messi picked up a record-extending sixth — and third consecutive — European Golden Shoe award on Wednesday following his outstanding individual 2018-19 domestic campaign.

The award is presented to the top goalscorer in league football across Europe, with the Argentine finding the net 36 times last season as Barca retained their La Liga title.

Messi was three ahead of nearest rival Kylian Mbappe, who scored 33 times for Paris St Germain as they won France’s Ligue 1.

Messi’s sons Thiago and Mateo, presented their father with the trophy supervised by his wife, Antonella Rocuzzo and watched by team-mates, including Luis Suarez and Jordi Alba.

“There are Luis and Jordi, who are two of the men to blame for this award,” Messi said at the presentation in Barcelona. “My team and my team-mates, I would have never been able to win even one of these awards without them. This is a recognition for everyone, all the team.”

Messi now has two more Golden Shoes than his great rival Cristiano Ronaldo. Suarez is one of nine players on two. The award was created in 1967 when it was won by Eusebio.

Messi, who won his first Golden Shoe in 2010, admitted he was disappointed to have missed out on Champions League glory again after Barcelona blew a 3-0 first leg lead to Liverpool at the semi-final stage. However, he said he was conscious that the league should be the club’s priority.

“The Champions League is something special and we all want to win it, but we are conscious that the Liga is the most important.

“La Liga can help you reach the Champions League and the Copa del Rey. It is very difficult if you dont perform well in the Liga to compete in the Champions League.

“We never forget about the Liga and the Copa because we are Barcelona and we always aim to win everything.”

Barca have endured a difficult start to the season, losing twice in their first eight league games. They have won their last three matches to pull themselves into second place on 16 points, two behind leaders Real Madrid.

Published in Dawn, October 17th, 2019