Real Madrid forward Cristiano Ronaldo won three awards at La Liga’s annual gala including last season’s best player.

It is the first time Ronaldo, 29, has beaten Barcelona’s Lionel Messi to La Liga’s top prize.

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

“It is a very good moment in my career,” Ronaldo said, later tweeting he was “very happy”.

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 is also on the Ballon d’Or shortlist, had won all five previous La Liga best player awards since the prize was inaugurated in the 2008-09 season.

Ronaldo finished top scorer in La Liga in 2013-14 with 31 goals, but despite his personal heroics, 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.

Barcelona vice-captain Andres Iniesta was awarded with the ‘Best Attacking Midfielder’ prize. Real Madrid goalkeeper Keylor Navas, who played for Levante throughout last campaign, won the ‘Best Goalkeeper’ award.

Here’s Ronaldo’s effort against Valencia that secured him the goal of the season award.