Lionel Messi scoops LaLiga Player of the Month award for just the second time in his Barcelona career

LIONEL Messi has netted 51 times in 49 appearances this season, and has a huge 504 goals in his Barcelona career – the most in the club’s history.

With that said, it may come as a surprise that Friday saw the Argentine win La Liga’s Player of the Month award for only the SECOND time in his career.

Since its inception in 2013, Barcelona and Real Madrid players have rarely picked up the trophy, but Messi did this week manage to get his hands on it

The 29-year-old earned the April accolade after scoring eight goals in six league games, made up of braces against Sevilla, Real Sociedad, Real Madrid and Osasuna.

Messi’s double against Real Madrid ensures the La Liga title race remains well and truly alive, with the two sides level on points going into the final few games.

Barca have, though, played one more game than their bitter rivals.

Messi has 35 La Liga goals to his name so far in the current campaign, making him far and away the leading marksman in Spain.

Suarez, his Barcelona team-mate, is the next nearest with 27, while Real Madrid superstar Cristiano Ronaldo has 20.

Messi previously won the Player of the Month award in January 2016, the first time he had secured the triumph.

That month, he scored just six goals – poor in comparison to this win (!) – taking Barcelona to the top of the La Liga tree.

His April 2017 win takes him level on two with Ronaldo for overall wins, while Antoine Griezmann has won it the most with four.

 

SOURCE: DAILYMAIL