Striker, Lionel Messi has thrashed Cristiano Ronaldo with 8 goals to collect a record fifth Golden Shoe award on Tuesday for finishing last season as the top goal scorer in Europe.
Messi came ahead of Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah and Tottenham’s Harry Kane by scoring 34 goals in 68 games for Barcelona.
While Ronaldo, who has won the award four times, scored 26 goals in 52 matches for Real Madrid, Messi scored 34 goals in 68 games.
Messi, while receiving the award during the ceremony attended by Barcelona President, Josep Maria Bartomeu, 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.”
Other fellow players like Sergio Busquets and Sergi Roberto were also present at the event.
Commenting on Barcelona’s game against Lyon in the round of 16, Messi said, “Lyon will be a complicated opponent,” Messi said. “Even if they are not known as one of the strongest teams, they are dangerous as they showed against Manchester City, one of the best teams in the world.
“It will be difficult to go through, but the opportunity is there for us. We have several Frenchmen in the team like Samuel Umtiti and Malcom, who played in France, so perhaps they can help as well.”
