Barcelona playmaker Andres Iniesta has picked up UEFA's Best Player Award at a ceremony in Monaco on Thursday.

The 28-year-old shone during a difficult campaign for Barcelona as they surrendered the La Liga title to bitter rivals Real Madrid.

Iniesta put that disappointment behind him to help Spain retain the European Championship in Poland and Ukraine with a series of glittering performances.

Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo joined Iniesta on stage as nominees following the draw for the Champions League group stage but the Spanish schemer won the coveted prize.