Barcelona star named Player of the Month for the first time

Five-time World Player of the Year Lionel Messi has been name La Liga Player of the Month for the first time in his career.

Messi, 28, has won virtually every prize imaginable in club football, but the La Liga Player of the Month award had evaded him up to now.

Since the inception of the award in September 2013, no Barcelona player had ben voted Player of the Month until Neymar was given the gong in November last year.

The Argentina international enjoyed a fine January, where he scored six league goals in five matches, including a hat trick against Granada.

For more stats on Lionel Messi, click here to visit his WhoScored player page