Barcelona, Nov 20 (EFE).- FC Barcelona super-striker Lionel Messi on Wednesday picked up his third European Golden Shoe award after finishing as last season's top scorer in the continent's major domestic leagues.
Messi was honored for scoring 46 goals in 32 Spanish-league matches in the 2012-13 season, receiving the award from former Barça star and 1989-90 Golden Shoe co-recipient Hristo Stoichkov at a ceremony in Barcelona.
The Argentine was joined at the ceremony by FC Barcelona President Sandro Rosell, head coach Gerardo "Tata" Martino and teammates including Carles Puyol, Xavi Hernandez and Gerard Pique.
Messi, who is currently out of action with a hamstring injury, dedicated this and his previous awards, including his four consecutive FIFA world-player-of-the-year honors, to his teammates, saying he would not have achieved anything without them, and to his family "who loves me and has been there in the toughest moments."
"(The European Golden Shoe) was never my goal when