Cristiano Ronaldo was selected as the 2012-13 Spanish League MVP but he still failed to top his rival Lionel Messi who was given the awards for "Player of the Year" and "Best Attacker.
Ronaldo has been seen as a heavy favorite to win the upcoming Ballon d'Or. Despite winning the MVP honor, he made it known that he would have preferred the Player of the Year accolade.
"It is an honor and privilege to receive this great award for the Most Valuable Player -- it motivates me to keep working harder," Ronaldo said while accepting the honor, according to ESPN. "I am proud to be in the Liga BBVA. For me, this is the best league in the world and I am at the best club in the world. How could I not be happy? Hopefully next year I can win the award for the best player. I will be working towards it."
Messi defeated Ronaldo and former Sevilla forward Alvaro Negredo to take home his Player of the Year award.
"I would like to thank the LFP and the Liga BBVA for this prize," Messi said, according to ESPN. "It is a recognition of the [Barca players'] work all year and without them I would not have scored these goals."
Ronaldo scored 34 goals from Real Madrid in the Spanish League last season while his rival Messi finished with 46 goals and 12 assists. This season Ronaldo has 17 goals while Messi has only eight.
Other honorees at the event include Andres Iniesta, Thibaut Courtois, Gerard Deuleofeu, Asier Illarramendi, Sergio Ramos, Diego Simeone and Iker Casillas.
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