Lionel Messi gets Golden Boot

Barcelona : Argentine footballing great Lionel Messi was presented with the Golden Boot award for being the top scorer across the domestic leagues in Europe last season.

The Barcelona’s striker was handed on Thursday for scoring 34 goals to his club to retain the Spanish league title.

“All awards are special, but it is thanks to the help of my teammates that I have won,” Messi, a popular player for his country and outside for his smiling face, said.

“I just try to play well and do the things as best I can for my team and my coach.”

Messi now joins for Dutch great Marco van Basten, Ronaldo and Cristiano Ronaldo of Brazil to have won all three major individual awards: the Golden Boot, FIFA World Player of the Year and the Golden Ball, given to the European footballer of the year.

Chelsea forward Didier Drogba and Udinese striker Antonio di Natale were tied for second place with 29 goals each.

Messi was the second Barcelona player to be honored by European Sports Magazine. Ronaldo earned the club’s first Golden Boot by also scoring 34 goals, in the 1996-97 season.