Ronaldo Uefa's Player of the Year

Real Madrid's Cristiano Ronaldo was named Uefa's Player of the Year, beating Lionel Messi and Gianluigi Buffon to the prize, European soccer's governing body announced during the Champions League group stage draw in Monaco on Thursday.

Ronaldo helped Real to a second consecutive Champions League title and finished as the tournament's top scorer with 12 goals last season. He has now won the award three times, one more than Messi.

The three-player shortlist was chosen by a panel of 80 coaches of clubs that participated in the group stages of the 2016/17 Champions League and Europa League and 55 journalists selected by the European Sports Media (ESM) group, representing each of Uefa's member associations.

The 32-year-old Portuguese received 482 points in the poll, with Messi (141 votes) and Buffon (109 votes).

Barca's Netherlands midfielder Lieke Martens, 24, won the women's prize.

Martens right

Martens was instrumental in her country's European Championship victory this summer, where she was named player of the tournament.

She beat Wolfsburg striker Pernille Harder and Lyon midfielder Dzsenifer Marozsan to claim the prize.

Awards in full

UEFA Men's Player of the Year: Cristiano Ronaldo

UEFA Women's Player of the Year: Lieke Martens

Best Goalkeeper of the 2016/17 UEFA Champions League season: Gianluigi Buffon

Best Defender of the 2016/17 UEFA Champions League season: Sergio Ramos

Best Midfielder of the 2016/17 UEFA Champions League season: Luka Modrić

Best Forward of the 2016/17 UEFA Champions League season: Cristiano Ronaldo

UEFA President's Award: Francesco Totti

There was also a special 'President's Award' given to Francesco Totti, who retired from football in July after 24 years at Roma, the only club he played for.
The 40-year-old is now a director at the Italian club.