London: Atletico Madrid forward Antoine Griezmann has been named as La Liga's best player for the 2015-2016 season, thus becoming the first person other than star strikers Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi to ever win the coveted award.
Griezmann, who overcame formidable competition for the prize, was announced the winner at the Spanish top flight's annual awards night in Valencia last evening. The France international, however, was not present in the ceremony.
The 25-year-old, who also scooped the supporters' award, was declared the winner after his stellar season with Atletico that saw him score 22 goals and five assists to help his side make a third-place finish, just three points off Barcelona in the top spot.
Atletico also saw Diego Simeone win the best coach award, with Diego Godin and Jan Oblak clinching the best defender and best goalkeeper awards respectively.
Barcelona star Messi, who bagged the individual La Liga gong on six of the previous seven times, was selected as the best striker while his team-mate Luis Saurez was named as La Liga's World Player of the year.
Real Madrid's Luka Modric won the best mid-fielder award while his team-mate Marco Asensio was recognised as La Liga's best emerging player following an impressive spell at Espanyol last season.
