The Ballon d'Or awards scored an embarrassing own goal on Monday night at a ceremony that was meant to represent a major breakthrough for female footballers.

As Lyon's Ada Hegerburg stepped up to take the inaugural women's prize, she was asked by French DJ Martin Solveig if she knew how to twerk.

The Norwegian seemed briefly non-plussed before joining in a more conventional waltz on stage as the audience looked on in embarrssment.

"He came to me afterwards and was really sad that it went that way," said Hegerburg, 23, a three-time Women's Champions League winner who scored a tournament-record 15 times last season.

READ MORE: Twitter users furious as Ada Hegerberg asked to twerk after historic Ballon D’Or win

READ MORE: Andy Murray - Sexism levels in sport ‘unreal’

"I didn't really think about it at the time to be honest. I didn't really consider it a sexual harassment or anything in the moment.

"I was just happy to do the dance and win the Ballon d'Or to be honest. I will have a glass of champagne when I get back, yes."

Solveig later claimed that he was just making an attempt at humour which had backfired, saying: "Sincere apologies to the one I may have offended". But his comments sparked outrage on social media, with many accusing him of sexism and disrespect.

Stuart Holden, the former United States and Bolton midfielder, said: "Let’s not let one idiots sexism and ignorance shadow what is an incredible achievement and honor for Ada."

Andy Murray condemned the "ridiculous sexism that still exists in sport", having previously spoken out on the issue on a number of occasions.

"Why do woman [sic] have to put up with that s---?", the former world No 1 tennis player said on Instagram. "What questions did they ask [Kylian] Mbappe and [Luka] Modric? I'd imagine something to do with football.

"And to everyone who thinks people are overreacting and it was just a joke.. It wasn't. I've been involved in sport my whole life and the level of sexism is unreal."

Murray has in the past called for female tennis players to be given more chances on centre court at Wimbledon and corrected a journalist who chose to forget the women's game when they claimed Sam Querrey was "the first US player to reach a major semi-final since 2009".

Meanwhile, the men's award, which goes annually to the player considered the best in world football, was won by midfielder Luka Modric, who  won the Champions League with Real Madrid and then guided Croatia to the World Cup final in July. He ended the long reign of Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, who had won every Ballon d'Or since 2008.

"As a kid we all have dreams," said Modric. "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."