Lionel Messi has been named La Liga’s Player of the Month for January. This is the first time that the Barcelona star has received the award. Messi, 28, was recognised after an opening month to 2016 in which he scored six times in five league games, including key goals at Malaga and at home to Atletico Madrid as Barca took control of the title race.

Seventeen different players had previously been recognised since the official award was launched in September 2013. Real Madrid star Cristiano Ronaldo and Atletico Madrid defender Diego Godin are among the players to have won it twice, while other winners have included Eibar attacker Borja Baston, ex-Rayo Vallecano forward Alberto Bueno and Sevilla winger Vitolo.

Messi’s wait has now ended, however, with the announcement revealed in anofficial La Liga statement. Astonishingly, not a single Barcelona player was handed the Player of the Month award until Neymar took it in November 2015

La Liga’s Player of the Month award is voted for by the writers at the league’s official website.