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Lionel Messi receives 2017/18 La Liga best player and top goalscorer awards

  /  arrowhead

Lionel Messi has been named La Liga's best player and the division's top goalscorer for the 2017/18 campaign at the Marca awards.

His wins in the two categories means he has now been named Spain's best player a staggering seven times, and the country's leading marksmen on five ocassions.

Messi was presented with his two trophies - the Alfredo Di Stefano Award and at the Pichichi Trophy - at the Football Marca Awards in Barcelona on Monday, and spoke to the Spanish publication following the ceremony.

The Argentine has been out of action in recent weeks with a broken arm, and has spent time watching Barcelona play from the stands alongside his son, Thiago.

He said: "I love watching games with him. I was surprised because he understands so many facets of the game and it's the first time I've been able to share something like that with him [Thiago]."

On his return from injury, he added: "At first I was a bit scared of contact and getting hit by the ball. But after some time I started feeling more and more comfortable. I was looking forward to getting back out on the pitch."

The winner of the 2018 Ballon d'Or will be announced next month, and there is the suggestion that this could be the first year since 2007 that both Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo will miss out.

It remains to be seen if the current standings will remain this way but the bookmakers have Modric as the overwhelming favourite.

He is placed ahead of Ronaldo and Antoine Griezmann, while Mbappe and Messi make the top five. Mohamed Salah, who was the best player in the Premier League last season, is an outsider for the award.

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