Ballon d'Or 2018: Luka Modric beats Cristiano Ronaldo to award in Paris ceremony

Eleven Premier League stars make Ballon d'Or shortlist

Luka Modric won the Ballon d'Or award for the first time on Monday, ending the 10-year dominance of Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.

Modric won the Champions League with Real Madrid and then guided Croatia to the World Cup final in July. He was voted player of the tournament.

"As a kid we all have dreams. My dream was to play for a big club and win important trophies," Modric said. "The Ballon d'Or was more than just a dream for me and it is really an honor and a privilege to hold this trophy."

Ronaldo was second in the Ballon d'Or followed by France forward Antoine Griezmann. France's teen star, Kylian Mbappe, was fourth in the polling. Brazil star Neymar, who was third last year, was a lowly 12th despite a domestic treble with Paris Saint-Germain.

Norwegian forward Ada Hegerberg won the inaugural women's Ballon d'Or.

Re-live the ceremony:

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[3 December 2018 19:08 · Kishan Vaghela]

Bit of a fashion statement being made by the Frenchmen tonight.

[3 December 2018 19:15 · Kishan Vaghela]

Buffon the first goalkeeper to arrive.

[3 December 2018 19:17 · Kishan Vaghela]

Antoine Griezmann with club and national team teammates Thomas Lemar and Lucas Hernandez. 

[3 December 2018 19:18 · Kishan Vaghela]

  ↵I have a feeling, for some strange, unfathomable reason, that he just might

[3 December 2018 19:24 · Kishan Vaghela]

Modric has arrived at the Grand Palais with his wife and three children.....

[3 December 2018 19:36 · Kishan Vaghela]

He said he was the joker at Barcelona, and you can see why....

[3 December 2018 20:02 · Kishan Vaghela]

The stage is set....

[3 December 2018 20:09 · Kishan Vaghela]

It's party time! Let the ceremony begin. 

[3 December 2018 20:14 · Kishan Vaghela]

The ceremony is being presented by former Newcastle, Spurs, Aston Villa and Everton man David Ginola!

[3 December 2018 20:15 · Kishan Vaghela]

And the winner of the inaugural Kopa Trophy is..... Kylian Mbappe!