Messi named UEFA Best Player in Europe

Lionel Messi continues to reap success. For the second time in his career, FC Barcelona striker has been awarded as the UEFA Best Player in Europe.

The Argentine striker, who has been awarded this distinction in 2011, received the prize after the draw for the group stage of the UEFA Champions League held this Thursday at the Grimaldi´s Forum in Monaco. Therefore, Messi puts the finishing touch to a superb 2014/15 season in which the '10 'Barca won the Champions League and, last but not least, he also managed to lift the Liga BBVA and Copa del Rey.

Time to engrave Messi's name on the #UEFABestPlayer trophy! pic.twitter.com/pj74KhYykR

— Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) August 27, 2015

"This award gives me great joy. I want to thank my teammates, because part of this award is also theirs," said Messi after collecting the trophy.

It was not the only award achieved by the Rosario player this Thursday, as he also won the award for the Best Goal of Season 2014/15. His amazing "chip" against FC Bayern München was chosen by users of the UEFA website with 39% of the vote.

Moreover, teammate Marc-André ter Stegen got the award for the best save of 2014/15 season. His stop to a close range shot by Robert Lewandowski in the FC Bayern - FC Barcelona was chosen with 28% of the vote.