Real Madrid: Ranking Best and Worst Players for February

Four wins and one defeat in February means that on paper February didn't look a bad month for Real Madrid, but the truth is otherwise.

The humbling at the hands of city rivals Atletico Madrid lives long in the memory, as does the aftermath which included Cristiano Ronaldo's 30th birthday party.

The month had started slowly, with a narrow 2-1 win over Sevilla seeing Madrid win their game in hand on Barcelona and stretch their lead at the top of La Liga to four points.

But that was soon lost at the Vicente Calderon, with Barcelona thrashing Athletic Club in Bilbao the next day, to narrow the gap.

Madrid won the rest of the games in February 2-0, at home against Deportivo, and away against Elche, with the Champions League clash at Schalke in between.

With Barcelona stumbling at home against Malaga, the gap became four points again.

We won't be including the 1-1 draw Madrid shared with Villarreal on Sunday night in these player rankings, because it took place in March.

We're looking to order the players that have performed over the past month for the club.

Each of the considered players must have contributed significantly to the games Madrid played.

This is about performances in February and not overall ability. That means the top players won't necessarily be the best overall players at the club.

The rankings are about their contribution to the team's results and performances, relative to their potential to do so.

Therefore the best players in the team will be judged by higher standards than the weakest ones.

This month it's particularly hard to create the rankings because of the small number of players that have played in enough of the games to warrant being ranked highly or lowly over the month. 

Iker Casillas, Raphael Varane, Isco, Toni Kroos, Gareth Bale and Karim Benzema are the only players that have featured in all five games, thanks to a mixture of suspensions and injuries.

Cristiano Ronaldo and Marcelo were also considered, having played in four of the games.

Players such as Pepe, Nacho, Alvaro Arbeloa and Dani Carvajal have not had enough game time for consideration.

8th (Worst): Gareth Bale

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The Welshman, the most expensive player in the world, played all five games in February, and did not register a single goal or assist.

As a forward of his status, in the attack for Real Madrid, that is simply unacceptable.

Of course, football is about far more than goals and assists. If Bale had been delivering scintillating performances, week in, week out, then you would be able to forgive him for the lack of an end product.

However, in this period he only had one game in which he played well.

It was against Deportivo de la Coruna, and although he didn't get an assist he did force the first goal with strong work on the right.

As I wrote for Sport, about that game: "Bale, meanwhile, put in a selfless performance, just what the doctor asked for after the recent accusations that have been thrown his way."

Unfortunately the rest of his displays in February were far below this standard. The worst, like for many Real Madrid players, was in the 4-0 defeat by Atletico.

Bale failed to track back, failed to offer the team much help at all in an embarrassing performance.

7th (2nd Worst): Cristiano Ronaldo

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Unlike Gareth Bale, Cristiano Ronaldo did find the net during February.

He scored two goals, both with his head, against Schalke and Elche.

Despite these strikes, it was a poor month for Ronaldo. He could have had a hat-trick against Elche, perhaps even more.

He was suspended for the first match, against Sevilla, and returned during that fateful Madrid derby.

That evening he had his 30th birthday party, which did not go down a treat among the fans and press, and he followed it up with an abysmal showing against Deportivo.

The subsequent goals did a little to mitigate his prior performances, but considering how good a player he is, Ronaldo will not be looking back fondly on the last month. He has much more to offer Madrid.

6th-3rd: Iker Casillas, Toni Kroos, Raphael Varane, Karim Benzema

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Now we enter the midsection of the rankings. There's not a great deal to separate Iker Casillas, Toni Kroos, Raphael Varane and Karim Benzema.

Casillas (sixth), beaten four times in the Madrid derby by Atletico, will be displeased with how things have been going.

However, three clean sheets in the other three matches will do a lot to improve his mood.

Fractionally better has been Kroos (fifth), who will still not be too happy with his form.

He was key during Madrid's huge winning streak earlier in the season, but has looked tired during the past month or two.

Kroos' lazer passing is still strong but his overall influence has diminished.

Varane (fourth) was on the pitch during the loss to Atletico but his displays since then have been strong.

The French centre-back was impressive against Deportivo, Schalke and Elche.

Benzema (third) had a decent month, netting twice and generally proving a strong foil for his team-mates to play off.

He netted against Deportivo and then scored the opener against Elche.

In the latter game he also scored a wonderful overhead kick, which was adjudged to be fractionally offside by the officials.

2nd (Second Best): Marcelo

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The Brazilian left-back was blameless during Real Madrid's defeat against Atletico, because he wasn't on the pitch.

Having picked up five yellow cards, he was suspended for the occasion and watched Fabio Coentrao fill his position with no success.

Marcelo returned and slotted back into the team comfortably.

The highlight of Marcelo's month was the brilliant goal he scored against Schalke. Cutting in from the left on his right foot, he launched the ball into the top corner.

But defenders are judged on goals conceded and not scored, and Marcelo will be pleased to say that he played in four games and the defence only shipped once while he was on the pitch.

1st (Best): Isco

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Who else? The midfielder has gone from strength to strength this season and while the team falters as a whole, he tries to drag their whole level up.

While the Villarreal game doesn't count in the rankings, the negativity aimed towards Carlo Ancelotti when he substituted the Spaniard shows how the crowd at the Santiago Bernabeu have fallen in love with him.

As explained in this Bleacher Report article, Isco is finally getting the credit he deserves in a Real Madrid shirt.

He was given a standing ovation by Elche supporters after playing a key part in their downfall.

Isco performed so well in February that Iker Casillas took it upon himself to declare, per Goal: “Isco will be the most important player in Spanish football in the coming years."

Alfredo Relano, AS editor, notes in a recent column:

"

In his second year he’s made himself a key player in the squad. He tracks back, runs, and steals possession. And when he has the ball, he holds on to it, he hides it, tricks the opposition and has great distribution. The fans love him.

"

And that just about sums it up.