Real Madrid midfielder, Luka Modric, has been named UEFA’s Player of the Year.
Modric beat off competition from former Madrid team-mate Cristiano Ronaldo and Liverpool forward Mohamed Salah.
The Croatian international received the trophy on stage in Monaco during the UEFA Champions League group stage draw.
He was also named UEFA Champions League Midfielder of the Season.
Modric understated class was more evident than ever last season, the diminutive midfielder helping Madrid to a third straight UEFA Champions League title before then guiding his country to their first FIFA World Cup final.
Though the 32-year-old is neither a prolific goalscorer nor an outright defensive shield, his dynamism and quality in possession set him apart.
“Always available to receive the ball, he is incredibly important to how the champions want to play,” said the UEFA Technical Observers when selecting Modrić in the 2017/18 UEFA Champions League Squad of the Season.
