PARIS, Aug. 30 (Xinhua) -- Real Madrid midfielder Luka Modric from Croatia was crowned UEFA best men's player in Europe for 2017-18 on Thursday in Monaco at the Champions League draw.

Modric, 32, beat former team-mate Cristiano Ronaldo, who moved to Juventus in July, and Liverpool's Mohamed Salah in the vote.

It is the first time Modric, a runner-up in this summer's FIFA World Cup, won the award, with Ronaldo still the all-time leader having won it three times.

Modric's Madrid team-mates Keylor Navas and Sergio Ramos won the best goalkeeper and defender awards respectively, while the Croatian also picked up the midfielder trophy.

Champions League and Europa League coaches plus 55 selected journalists across Europe voted for the winners.

"It's an incredible moment for me, I feel really excited and proud of this great award," said Modric.