Messi wins seventh Pichichi of his career

Lionel Messi has won the seventh Pichichi Trophy of his career.

The Argentine netted 25 goals for Barcelona in LaLiga Santander to see him finish above second-placed Karim Benzema in the scoring charts, with the Real Madrid striker ending the campaign on 21 goals.

This is the fourth season in a row that Messi has finished top of the goal standings in Spain's top flight - the longest streak of any player in LaLiga Santander since Hugo Sanchez did the same in the 1980s.

This season's tally doesn't quite compare to Messi's best of 50 from the 2011/12 campaign or the 36 he scored last year, but it's enough to clinch the Pichichi on this occasion.

Not since the 2006/07 season has the Pichichi been won with a fewer amount of goals than 25, with Ruud van Nistelrooy securing it with the same number back then.

Even at the age of 33, Messi's importance to Barcelona is clear for all to see.

Having netted 25 out of their total of 86, he's scored 29 percent of the Catalans' goals this term.

As usual, the Ballon d'Or holder played down the importance of individual accolades, lamenting Barcelona's failure to win silverware so far this season.

"Awards and individual objectives are secondary," he said following the Blaugrana's win over Alaves.

"It might well be an important mark to win seven [Pichichi] trophies, but I'd have liked it to have come along with the LaLiga title."

An exclusive club

Only 11 Barcelona players have won the Pichichi in the club's history.

Cesar Rodriguez, Cayetano Re, Charly Rexach, Kronkl, Quini (twice), Romario, Ronaldo Nazario, Samuel Eto'o and Luis Suarez are the other winners.