Lionel Messi wins fifth European Golden Shoe

By Barney Corkhill, Editor | 20 May 2018

Barcelona's Lionel Messi beats Mohamed Salah and Harry Kane to the European Golden Shoe, claiming the prestigious award for an unprecedented fifth time.

Barcelona forward Lionel Messi has won the European Golden Shoe for a record-breaking fifth time.

The 30-year-old came on as a second-half substitute during Barcelona's 1-0 win over Real Sociedad this evening, and while he failed to find the back of the net, his tally of 34 goals in La Liga this season was enough for him to comfortably scoop the prize for a second year in a row.

The Golden Shoe is awarded to the highest scorer in Europe's domestic leagues, with Messi finishing two goals clear of Liverpool's Mohamed Salah and four above Harry Kane of Tottenham Hotspur in the final standings.

Messi was previously tied with Cristiano Ronaldo as the only four-time winners of the award, but he has now moved out on his own having claimed the trophy for the fifth time in the past nine seasons.

Messi has also won the award in 2009-10, 2011-12, 2012-13 and 2016-17, while a Barcelona player has now won it in each of the past three seasons - a record for any club.