Lionel Messi receives Golden Shoe award for the fifth time

Barcelona forward Lionel Messi received his fifth Golden Shoe award in Madrid as the leading goal scorer in European football in the past season.

The Argentine scored 34 goals in La Liga in the 2017-2018 season to lead Barcelona to the championship.

FC Barcelona's Lionel Messi from Argentina poses for the media after receiving his 5th Golden Boot award, in Barcelona, Spain, Tuesday, Dec.18, 2018. [Photo: AP]

Messi says he never imagined having so much success in his career.

"I love football. I've never imagined this much. This is the result of work, effort and above all the help from my teammates. I have the best team in the word. My teammates are the best players in the world in their positions. And that makes my job easier and it helps me win these awards. The same way other teammates have won their own," he said.

Messi's latest Golden Shoe award moves him one ahead of Cristiano Ronaldo.

Liverpool forward Mohamed Salah was the second in the rankings with 32 goals in the English Premier League.

Tottenham's Harry Kane was third with 30.

Messi currently leads Europe's goal scoring charts once again, with 14 goals so far this season.

The Golden Shoe is awarded by European Sports Media, an association of European sports newspapers and magazines.