Barcelona's Argentine star striker Lionel Messi received his third Golden Shoe award on Wednesday as the top league scorer in Europe for his 46 goals in the 2012-2013 season.

Barcelona's Argentinian forward Lionel Messi receives the Golden Boot 2013 award, presented to Europe’s best goal scorer of the 2012-2013 season, on November 20, 2013 in Barcelona

At the awards ceremony, Messi, 26, shared credit with his Barcelona team mates, Spanish league champions last season and currently leaders of the table.

"I am really pleased. It is a really beautiful prize. It is a recognition of the (Barcelona) dressing room and of all that the team has been doing all year," he said.

Messi is currently sidelined with a torn hamstring after limping off during Barcelona's 4-1 win over Real Betis on November 10 -- his fourth injury in a year.

His club said he could be out of action for up to eight weekshttp://sport.malaysia.msn.com/football