Ronaldo beats Messi to major LFP Awards
Cristiano Ronaldo edged out Lionel Messi to be crowned the Primera Division’s Best Player for 2013-14 at Monday night’s LFP Awards Ceremony.
The Real Madrid star, who also scooped the FIFA Ballon d’Or ahead of Messi earlier this year, picked up awards for being the Best Forward and scoring the Best Individual Goal for his audacious back-heeled volley against Valencia on May 4.
Ronaldo was the top scorer in La Liga last season with a tally of 31 goals, while Barca’s Messi was just behind him after finding the back of the net 28 times.
Both men have on Tuesday been shortlisted again for the Ballon d’Or, with Ronaldo’s scintillating early season form seemingly putting him in the driving seat for that award too.
“I am very proud to be here and win these awards. I would like to thank my team-mates, the institution that is Real Madrid, my fans, my girlfriend and all the people who voted for me,” Ronaldo told www.realmadrid.com. “This is the best moment of my career and I’m enjoying myself on the pitch”.
Luka Modric and Sergio Ramos added to the feel-good factor for Real Madrid by picking up the Best Midfielder and Best Defender gongs respectively.
Real’s success at the awards capped off an historic first season under coach Carlo Ancelotti after they won the Champions League for a record 10th time and also lifted the Copa del Rey.
Keylor Navas, who headed to the Bernabeu in the summer, was named Best Goalkeeper for his exploits at Levante last season.
Elsewhere Xavi was named the Best Attacking Midfielder and Diego Simeone, whose Atletico Madrid side won La Liga last year, picked up the Best Coach award.
