Ronaldo beats Messi for first time to bag La Liga's best player award

Real Madrid star forward Cristiano Ronaldo has beaten Barcelona's Lionel Messi for the first time to clinch La Liga's best player award among a hattrick of awards he won at the Spanish top flight's annual gala.

The Portuguese also won prizes for the league's best striker and best goal, for his back-heel against Valencia.

Ronaldo said that it is a very good moment in his career, and later tweeted that he was happy and proud, The BBC reported.

The accolade comes as Ronaldo was also named on the shortlist for the 2014 Ballon d'Or, the award given to the world's best player.

Argentina forward Messi, who also figures on the Ballon d'Or shortlist, had won all five previous La Liga best player awards since the prize was launched in the 2008-09 season.

Ronaldo finished top scorer in La Liga in 2013-14 with 31 goals, but was unable to fire Real Madrid to the title, with city rivals Atletico winning the league.

However, Real dominated the individual awards at the La Liga gala, with Sergio Ramos being named best defender and Luka Modric winning the prize for best defensive midfielder, the report added.