Messi beats Ronaldo to top La Liga striker

Madrid: Barcelona star Lionel Messi, the favourite to win Fifa’s prestigious Ballon d’Or title, was on Monday voted the top striker in the Spanish league last season ahead of Real Madrid rival Cristiano Ronaldo.

It is the sixth time that the Argentinian has won the title in seven editions of the trophy given by the Spanish football league, with the prize presented during a gala ceremony in Barcelona on Monday night.

Messi, who scored 43 goals and was the catalyst for Barcelona’s run to three titles last season — the Champions League, La Liga and the Spanish Cup — was selected following a computer analysis of the players’ statistics in the championship.

“I’m proud to receive this award ahead of so many important players in La Liga,” said Messi.