Lionel MESSI has won the European Golden Shoe award for the 2011-2012 season.
Lionel MESSI was awarded his second European Golden Shoe award as the leading goalscorer in European leagues last season where he scored a record 50 liga goals. MESSI was given the award with Alejandro SABELLA and Carlos BILARDO in attendance as were Barcelona captain's Carles PUYOL and Xavi HERNANDEZ. Here are some quotes from Barcelona president Sandro ROSELL, former Ballon D'Or winner Luis SUAREZ, Gerard PIQUE and otheres.
Sando ROSELL: "Many congratulations to Leo MESSI who will receive today the Golden Shoe as topscorer in the European leagues."
Luis SUAREZ (Ballon d'Or winner in 1960): "MESSI is the essence of football. This boy has changed history. There has never been a fast, skilfull, technical player who also scores many goals. Until MESSI. He has it all."
Gerard PIQUE: "I'll always be able to tell my children I've played with the greatest ever.. Congrats, Leo, for the Golden Shoe."
Tito VILANOVA: "MESSI Golden Shoe? I don't think we'll ever see another player like Leo. Mainly because of the way he understands the game."
Joaquin CAPARROS (coach of Mallorca): "Ballon d'Or? Clubs can set up propaganda campaigns for their player, but MESSI is above everyone now."
And here are some quotes from Lionel MESSI from the ceremony:
Lionel MESSI: "MARADONA's birthday tomorrow, what if son is born then? Man, that would be a mess (smiles). When my son is born, my first goal will be for him. The others, I'll celebrate as I always do, they're for my grandmother. Happy to win my second Golden Shoe. Although individual trophies are not what I compete for, I play to win team trophies. This trophy is about goals and without my team-mates I wouldn't have score so many and won it. This is a team trophy. I remember goals not because of their beauty, but because of their importance. I'm grateful to Barcelona for what they've done for me. My dream is to end my career at the club, before returning to Argentina."
Congratulations to Lionel MESSI!