Biggest Star in World Football in November

After winning the 2013 Ballon d'Or and rising to become the top contender for this year's prize, there's seldom been a month of late when Cristiano Ronaldo hasn't featured as one of the world's most extraordinary players.

And November was no different for the Real Madrid talisman, who saw Los Merengues through to breaking the club's consecutive win record, leading his side to 16 victories on the trot, per OptaJose:

Of course, it's part of Ronaldo's reputation that scoring follows him wherever he might tread. This was especially evident over the past month, as the Portuguese bagged five goals for his club and one for his country.

The forward showed that there's more to him than goals alone in November, however. Ronaldo underwent drastic change and turned supplier, earning the praise of manager Carlo Ancelotti following Saturday's win over Malaga, per BBC Sport:

"This is like a dream. We are very happy with the run and hopefully it will continue. He did fantastic work and he was the key to the match. It's unusual for him not to score but he did create two goals."

Ronaldo is usually the finisher at the heart of everything for Los Blancos, but against the Anchovies, he continued his recent role as chief puppeteer, assisting both goals in the 2-1 victory.

Gonzalo Arroyo Moreno/Getty Images

That crucial instinct in front of goal hasn't been lost altogether, though. Ronaldo netted the only goal in a 1-0 win at Basel, which ensured Real maintained their 100 percent record in this season's Champions League.

His creative vision of late has led to great team accolades, and the 29-year-old is now the top goal provider in La Liga for the 2014-15 campaign, something of an unfamiliar position for him:

The official Real Madrid Twitter account also revealed that the landmark win against Malaga was also of personal significance to the attacker:

Seven of the player's eight assists this term came during November, meaning Ronaldo had a direct hand in 12 of his team's 17 goals across the month, yet another indication of just how much Real rely on his superpowers.

It's not an unfamiliar storyline. Since moving to the club five years ago, Ronaldo has gone from strength to strength at the Bernabeu, and his widely discussed work ethic is paying dividends once again.

In some ways, one might call it "boring" or "mundane" to celebrate his ability as the world's best player, but that only serves as another sign of just how terrifically gifted he is. After all, it's not his fault he continues to show such brilliance on the pitch (or entirely his fault, depending on which way one looks at it).

Match of the Day's Gary Lineker commented on just what an advantage he gives Real near the end of November:

The fact Ronaldo was able to translate his good form to the international battleground also showed his ability is no fluke.

Portugal won two games in November, each by 1-0 margins, and it was Ronaldo who struck the decisive 72nd-minute winner against Armenia—not the first time he has hauled his nation through a European qualifier.

Juan Manuel Serrano Arce/Getty Images

In a way, his exploits for Portugal vindicate the praise for his talents all the more; playing among a group of far less talented players, he is still able to make his own presence tell.

November was a month that brought about great things for Real Madrid, as the club maintained their position atop La Liga, but it's no small coincidence Ronaldo was at the core of it all—albeit in an entirely new sense.