Modric beats Ronaldo and Salah to receive UEFA Men's Player of the Year Award

The Croatia international's exploits for Los Blancos on their way to a third successive Champions League title have been rewarded with the prize.

Luka Modric has been named the UEFA Men's Player of the Year for 2017-18, seeing off competition from Cristiano Ronaldo and Mohamed Salah.

The Real Madrid midfielder was crowned at the ceremony for the Champions League group stage draw on Thursday.

Modric, who has been with the Spanish side since 2012, featured 11 times as Madrid continued their dominance of the Champions League, scoring once and adding a single assist.

But it was his conviction in possession and ability to turn defence into attack with just one pass that made him so vital to Los Blancos' success.

His former team-mate Ronaldo – who scored 15 goals in last season's competition and winner of the previous two awards – and Liverpool star Salah were considered leading candidates due to their respective displays in attack.

But Modric, who also claimed the Golden Ball at the World Cup, won the most votes from coaches and journalists to seal the award.

Luka Modric: "It's an incredible moment for me - I'm excited and proud. Thanks to everyone who voted for me, my club, my team-mates, my coaches who support me in my good moments and less good moments. This award belongs to them too.

"My father is the person who took me to my first training session and pushed me to fight for my dreams and never give up. I owe him a lot for everything."

Champions League winners Madrid dominated the individual awards, winning every single one for the men's game.

Keylor Navas, Sergio Ramos and Ronaldo won the respective accolades for best goalkeeper, defender and forward, while Modric took the prize for most impressive midfielder.

The three-man shortlist

Luka Modrić (Real Madrid and Croatia)

A UEFA Champions League winner, a FIFA World Cup runner-up and recipient of the FIFA Golden Ball.

Cristiano Ronaldo (Real Madrid/Juventus and Portugal)

A UEFA Champions League winner for a record fifth time and UEFA Champions League top scorer for the sixth campaign running.

Mohamed Salah (Liverpool and Egypt)

A UEFA Champions League runner-up and a multiple record breaker in his first term at Liverpool.

The rest of the top ten

4 Antoine Griezmann (Atlético & France) – 72 points

5 Lionel Messi (Barcelona & Argentina) – 55 points

6 Kylian Mbappé (Paris & France) – 43 points

7 Kevin De Bruyne (Manchester City & Belgium) – 28 points

8 Raphaël Varane (Real Madrid & France) – 23 points

9 Eden Hazard (Chelsea & Belgium) – 15 points

10 Sergio Ramos (Real Madrid & Spain) – 12 points

What is the UEFA Men's Player of the Year award?

The award recognises the best players, irrespective of nationality, playing for a club within the territory of a UEFA member association during the past season. Players are judged on their performances in all competitions – domestic, continental and international.