Barcelona star Lionel Messi ends wait for La Liga Player of the Month award

Lionel Messi scores Barcelona's second goal during the Copa del Rey round-of-16 first leg against Espanyol at Camp Nou on January 6, 2016
© Getty Images
Barcelona superstar Lionel Messi is named La Liga Player of the Month for the first time in 23 months since the award was introduced.

Barcelona forward Lionel Messi has been named La Liga Player of the Month for the first time in his career.

The accolade was introduced from the beginning of the 2013-14 season, but five-time Ballon d'Or winner Messi had not won any of the previous 22 awards until today, when he was crowned for his six-goal haul in January.

He is only the second Barcelona player to win the award following Neymar's success earlier this season in November.

Real Madrid's Cristiano Ronaldo, Atletico Madrid pair Diego Godin and Antoine Griezmann and Real Sociedad striker Carlos Vela have all won the award twice.

Cristiano Ronaldo celebrates scoring during the La Liga game between Real Madrid and Espanyol on January 31, 2016
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1Barcelona352645102297382
2Atletico MadridAtletico35264559164382
3Real Madrid352564104327281
4Villarreal351710842311161
5Athletic Bilbao351671253431055
6Celta Vigo34159104754-754
7Sevilla351410114942752
8Valencia351111134442244
9Las PalmasLas Palmas35127164246-443
10Malaga351012133132-142
11EibarEibar35119154654-842
12Real Sociedad35119154246-442
13Real Betis351011143148-1741
14Deportivo La CorunaDeportivo35718104357-1439
15Espanyol35107183567-3237
16Rayo Vallecano35811164869-2135
17Granada3489173861-2333
18Getafe3588193364-3132
19Sporting GijonSporting Gijon3588193561-2632
20Levante3578203363-3029