If Barcelona needed one more arguement to proove that they had been a better team in the 2014-2015 season, it came on Monday when the club won most of the categories in La Liga Awards. The team managed by Luis Enrique won five awards, more than any other club including Real Madrid which only left with three.
Lionel Messi was the big individual winner of the night. The Argentinian striker took the recognitions for Best Player and Best striker of the 2014-2015 season. Messi was not the winner of the Pichichi, which belonged to Ronaldo, but did make up for it with great showings in the Champions League competition.
This was nothing new for Messi, as he has won the same awards in five other occassions. His team ended the season conquering La Liga, the Spanish Cup and the Champions League, a treble in the first year with a new manager. La Pulga recognized that the competition gets tougher year by year.
"This award in particular I want to dedicate to my son Thiago [aged 3] even if he still doesn't understand very well. Every time I leave the house he gets angry and asks me: 'Papa, are you going again to score goals?' This award is for him."
Leo with his two awards for the night
Messi with the 'Best Forward' and 'Best Player' in La Liga awards backstage #PremiosLaLiga [efe] pic.twitter.com/Zt4RbPsYLV
— FC Barcelona Fl (@FCBarcelonaFl) December 1, 2015
Cristiano Ronaldo would not leave empty handed as he was given the Fan's Five-Star Player award. One for which fans voted after every game of the past season. Messi's awards were determined by technical data.
Barcelona's goalkeeper Claudio Bravo won the award for "Best Goalkeeper". The Chilean stopper considered it a great honor after only allowing 19 goals last season.
"Being here is an enormous privilege and receiving this award is a dream come true."
Sergio Ramos won the award for Best Defender and his teammate James Rodriguez won it for Best Midfielder in his first season with Los Blancos and in La Liga. Rodriguez belonged to Monaco but after a superb World Cup performance, he was signed by the club from the Spanish capital.
Sergio Ramos was visibly happy
4 años consecutivos. Muchas gracias a todos los que lo hacen posible. 4 years in a row! Many thanks. #PremiosLaLiga pic.twitter.com/vddZOIAOZB
— Sergio Ramos (@SergioRamos) November 30, 2015
James Rodriguez has something to smile about
James Rodriguez has been named the best midfielder in La Liga 20142015. pic.twitter.com/OTGU7llPJg
— RMadridista (@01RMadridista) November 30, 2015
Luis Enrique would earn the award for Best Manager. It was something that during his acceptance speech, he gave all the credit to his team and the players. He claimed that without them it would not have been possible to achieve the success Barcelona did last season.
Neymar Jr., who just got nominated for the first time to compete for the Ballon d'Or, was named the Best Player from the Americas." The Brazilian player was happy with
"I am really happy to have won the award. I thank my teammates for all they do," Neymar said after accepting the award, for which Luis Suarez was also a serious contender.
All the winners in Monday night's gala
Foto de familia para finalizar la Gala de los #PremiosLaLiga. ¡Enhorabuena a los galardonados! pic.twitter.com/lWpTYy4B36
— LaLiga (@LaLiga) November 30, 2015