The Best Footballer Awards 2018: Modric Overtake Ronaldo, Lionel Mercy

Luka Modric won The Best FIFA Men's Player prize ahead of Cristiano Ronaldo and Mo Salah, with Marta taking The Best Women's Player.

Luka Modric has been named The Best FIFA Men's Player 2018, beating off fellow finalists Cristiano Ronaldo and Mohamed Salah to scoop the accolade at Monday's The Best FIFA Football Awards in London.
Best Fifa Football Awards 2018 Luka Modric named mens player of the year ahead of Ronaldo & Messi

Modric rewarded for starring role for Real Madrid, Croatia

Having been instrumental in Real Madrid's third straight Champions League title last season, and starred in Croatia's run to the World Cup final, the midfielder had been much fancied to succeed former club-mate Ronaldo - who had claimed the prize in its previous two years - as Best Men's Player.

It is the first time since 2007 - when the Ballon d'Or and the former FIFA World Player of the Year award both went to Kaká - that anyone other than Ronald or Lionel Messi has received one of the chief individual gongs in men's world football.

The winner of the Golden Ball at Russia 2018, Modric was also named UEFA's 2017/18 Men's Player of the Year a month ago.

Luka Modric of Real Madrid (left) and Marta of Orlando Pride pose with their Best Player trophies. Dan Istitene

Marta wins Best Women's Player

France's World Cup-winning boss, Didier Deschamps, was voted Best Men's Coach, while in women's football Brazil legend Marta took the Best Player award,
with Lyon's Reynald Pedros chosen as Best Coach.

Belgium's Thibaut Courtois, who joined Real this summer from Chelsea, was declared Best Goalkeeper.

Salah takes Puskas Award, Real dominate World11

Meanwhile, Salah's derby strike against Everton surprisingly saw the Liverpool star clinch the Puskás Award ahead of Ronaldo and Gareth Bale's memorable overhead kicks for Real,  side who dominated the 2018 FIFA FIFPro World11, with five members of last term's team included.

The Best FIFA Football Awards 2018: as it happened

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