Luka Modric ended the long reign of Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo by winning the Ballon d'Or for the first time on Monday, while another first saw Norwegian forward Ada Hegerberg win the inaugural's women's trophy.
Messi and Ronaldo had won every Ballon d'Or since 2008, and usually fought only each other for the gong. Women's fight for recognition on the biggest stage took a big step with Hegerberg's award.
Modric won the Champions League with Real Madrid and then guided Croatia to the World Cup final in July. The midfielder 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 polling followed by France forward Antoine Griezmann. France's teen star, Kylian Mbappe, was fourth. Brazil star Neymar was third last year but only 12th this time. Messi was fifth in the voting, having been runner-up to Ronaldo the past two years and in the top three every year since 2007. Modric had never previously been in the top three.
"2018 is a dream year for me," the 33-year-old Modric said. "Throughout my career I realized hard work, persistence and belief in yourself in difficult moments are the foundations of success."
Mbappe — the youngest player to score in a World Cup final — won the Raymond Kopa Trophy awarded to the best young player.
France Football magazine has been awarding the Ballon d'Or since 1956, and created a women's award for the first time this year.
Hegerberg is a three-time Women's Champions League winner with French side Lyon and scored a tournament-record 15 times last season.
"I want to say thanks to France Football. It's a huge step for women's football," Hegerberg said. "I want to end this speech with a message to all young girls in the world. Believe in yourselves."
The winners in full | Ballon d'Or 2018
Men's Ballon d'Or
| Position | Player |
| 1 | Luka Modric (Real Madrid) |
| 2 | Cristiano Ronaldo (Juventus) |
| 3 | Antoine Griezmann (Atlético Madrid) |
| 4 | Kylian Mbappé (PSG) |
| 5 | Lionel Messi (Barcelona) |
| 6 | Mohamed Salah (Liverpool) |
| 7 | Raphael Varane (Real Madrid) |
| 8 | Eden Hazard (Chelsea) |
| 9 | Kevin de Bruyne (Man City) |
| 10 | Harry Kane (Tottenham) |
| 11 | N'Golo Kante (Chelsea) |
| 12 | Neymar (PSG) |
| 13 | Luis Suarez (Barcelona) |
| 14 | Thibaut Courtois (Real Madrid) |
| 15 | Paul Pogba (Man Utd) |
| 16 | Sergio Aguero (Man City) |
| 17= | Karim Benzema (Real Madrid) |
| 17= | Gareth Bale (Real Madrid) |
| 19= | Ivan Rakitic (Barcelona) |
| 19= | Sergio Ramos (Real Madrid) |
| 19= | Roberto Firmino (Liverpool) |
| 22= | Marcelo (Real Madrid) |
| 22= | Sadio Mane (Liverpool) |
| 22= | Edinson Cavani (PSG) |
| 25= | Jan Oblak (Atletico Madrid) |
| 25= | Alisson Becker (Liverpool) |
| 25= | Mario Mandzukic (Juventus) |
| 28 | Diego Godin (Atletico Madrid) |
| 29= | Hugo Lloris (Tottenham) |
| 29= | Isco (Real Madrid) |
Women's Ballon d'Or
| Position | Player |
| 1 | Ada Hegerberg (Lyon) |
| 2 | Pernille Harder (Wolfsburg) |
| 3 | Dzsenifer Maroszan (Lyon) |
| 4 | Marta (Orlando Pride) |
| 5 | Sam Kerr (Chicago Red Stars) |
| 6 | Lucy Bronze (Lyon) |
| 7= | Amandine Henry (Lyon) |
| 7= | Wendie Renard (Lyon) |
| 9 | Megan Rapinoe (Seattle Reign) |
| 10 | Lindsey Horan (Portland Thorns) |
| 11 | Lieke Martens (Barcelona) |
| 12 | Saki Kumagai (Lyon) |
| 13 | Amel Majri (Lyon) |
| 14 | Fran Kirby (Chelsea) |
| 15 | Christine SInclair (Portland Thorns) |
Kopa Trophy award for best young player
| Position | Player |
| 1 | Kylian Mbappé (PSG) |
| 2 | Christian Pulisic (Borussia Dortmund) |
| 3 | Justin Kluivert (AS Roma) |