Lionel Messi adds Pichichi award

Barcelona star Lionel Messi has added even more trophies to his massive collection after receiving two awards from Spanish sports newspaper Marca on Monday.

The Argentine, following the Catalan giants’ 4-0 victory over Deportivo on Sunday, was pictured celebrating with the Pichichi award and the Alfredo Di Stefano award at a ceremony in Barcelona.

The Pichichi trophy, named after the Athletic Bilbao striker Rafael ‘Pichichi’ Moreno Aranzadi, is awarded by Marca to the top goalscorer of each La Liga season.

Messi added to his trophy haul after scoring a remarkable 37 goals in 34 league games last season, two more than Barcelona team-mate Luis Suarez.

Meanwhile, the 30-year-old also picked up the Alfredo Di Stefano award on Monday, which is won by the best player in La Liga.

Messi was also pictured posing with team-mate Andres Iniesta, who won Spain’s Most Valuable Player award, at the Marca Sports Journal Award ceremony.

The five-time Ballon d’Or winner has enjoyed a successful couple of days after helping Barcelona thrash Deportivo 4-0 in La Liga on Sunday at the Nou Camp.

The victory has ensured Ernesto Valverde’s side sit six points clear of second-placed Atletico Madrid in the Spanish top flight ahead of their highly anticipated clash with arch rivals Real Madrid on Saturday afternoon.

The Catalan giants, having played a game more, currently lie 11 points clear of the Bernabeu outfit.