After a double against Deportivo Alavés, the Argentine international finished the league season with 25 goals.
Lionel Messi secured a record seventh Pichichi award after the Barcelona star ended the 2019-20 season as the top scorer in La Liga.
The Argentine matched the record for six prizes of the great Telmo Zarra of Athletic Bilbao last season, but now he is alone after another excellent campaign against the goal.
His double in Deportivo Alavés’ 5-0 loss on the last day led to 25 goals in 33 appearances, while his cross with Ansu Fati for the opening goal set him a new record for most assists in a single La Liga campaign, breaking the former set of former teammate Xavi.
However, it was not enough to guide Barça to a third consecutive title, with Real Madrid pulling away in recent weeks to seal the top spot.
“I always say that awards and individual goals are secondary,” Messi said when asked about winning the award.
“It is true that it could have been taken as an important achievement for being the seventh Pichichi, but I would have liked it to be accompanied by the league title.”
Madrid striker Karim Benzema was four goals behind in the race for the award with 21, while Gerard Moreno of Villarreal was third with 18 goals, two ahead of Messi’s teammate at Barça, Luis Suárez.
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IT’S OFFICIAL! Leo #Messi wins the 2019-20 Pichichi Trophy, the seventh of his career, a new historical record for @LaLigaEN! 🐐 pic.twitter.com/laAlgFMeAT
– FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) July 19, 2020
The Catalan team will focus their attention on the next Champions League, as they will face Napoli in the return leg of their last draw 16 on August 8. The first leg ended in 1-1.
“We need a bit of reassurance, which we will hopefully get with this little break between competitions,” Messi told reporters when asked about preparations for a return to European competition.
“As I said the other day, it will give us an opportunity to clear our minds a little. “We have said what had to be said, we have been self-critical with ourselves. There is nothing more to say, now we just have to show it in the field. “
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