Barcelona talisman Lionel Messi has equal Real Madrid forward Cristiano Ronaldo's tally of four European Golden Shoes after receiving the award at a ceremony on Friday.
Messi claimed the prize thanks to his 37 goals last season in the league which allowed him to top the goalscoring charts in Europe as Catalan finished second in La Liga table behind fierce rival Los Blancos in the 2016-17 campaign.
It is the 31-year-old fourth time, after his successes in 2010, 2012 and 2013. The Argentina forward pipped Dutch striker Bas Dost, who netted 34 times for Sporting Lisbon in the Portuguese Primeira Liga and African superstar Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang of Borussia Dortmund with 31 goals.
Ronaldo won the award in 2008, 2011, 2014 and 2015, scored 25 league goals last season and did not make the top five.
Five-time world footballer of the year was presented with the trophy by his Barcelona teammate Luis Suarez by 2015-16 winner with 40 goals.
Messi thanked his team-mates for helping him score so many goals, while also saying that he enjoys playing more than ever, 13 years since his debut with Barcelona's first team.
'I have never considered myself a forward. I have been lucky enough to score goals,' Messi said.
'I have grown both on and off the pitch. I keep improving and adding things to my game, and I enjoy playing more and more.'
Messi, Ronaldo, and Suarez have dominated the award for the past nine years.
Barca star Messi is on top of the scorers’ charts in La Liga again this season, with 12 goals in 12 games
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