Barcelona superstar Lionel Messi finally named La Liga's Player of the Month

• Lionel Messi has won Spain's La Liga Player of the Month for January
• It is the first time the Barcelona forward has won the award
• The 28-year-old scored six goals in five games to end wait for the prize
• Neymar became first Barcelona player to win the award in November 

Lionel Messi has been named Spain's La Liga player of the month for January - the first time he has won the award.

The award has been given out since the beginning of the 2013-14 Primera Division season, but the five-time FIFA Ballon d'Or winner had not won it until now.

Barcelona's talisman finally won the award at the 23rd time of asking after scoring six goals in as many league games in January.

Justifying its decision, La Liga explained on its official website how Messi 'further demonstrated his quality' via 'his great form in the first month of the year'.

They added that 'this accolade, which is awarded by the competition's main sponsor, and voted for by writers, recognises Messi's outstanding displays and his goalscoring prowess, which make him one of the most feared strikers in the division'.

The 28-year-old struck a hat-trick against Granada as well as scoring in victories over Athletic Bilbao, Malaga and Atletico Madrid to take his total of league goals for the season to 12.

Messi is only the second Barcelona player to win the award following Neymar's success in November.

Cristiano Ronaldo has won the award twice since it began in September 2013, as have Atletico pair Diego Godin and Antoine Griezmann and Real Sociedad striker Carlos Vela.