Winter is beginning to subside for most of Europe just as the top-five leagues begin to really heat up.
February was a month filled with epic drama and naturally some key protagonists came to the stage.
We’ve taken a look at 10 of the best players from around Europe’s top-five leagues and through our Instagram Stories, you can then vote for Sport360’s February Player of the Month.
So who shone last month?
Serge Gnabry P5 W4 L0 D1
Gnabry has all the ingredients to be among the world’s best wingers, and in February he proved that by cooking up a storm. The 24-year-old found his form again after a relatively dry January, scoring four times and assisting two more. His performance in the 3-2 win over Paderborn in particular, served up a menu of his talent, scoring a fine opener before setting up the other two goals.
Lionel Messi P4 W4 L0 D0
The GOAT was parched after a run of four games without a goal, but Messi gulped down four against Eibar in an absurd display of precision. With six assists in February as well, a contribution to 10 goals more than justifies his nomination.
Cristiano Ronaldo P3 W2 L1 D0
Then there is the other GOAT. Ronaldo has had no such problems in front of goal and he equalled a Serie A record by scoring in an 11th-straight game in the 2-1 win over SPAL. Age is just a number for Ronaldo, the only digits he takes note of are the one in his goal tally.
Bruno Fernandes P3 W2 L0 D1
United’s previously passive midfield has been electrified by the January recruit. His first United goal arrived against Watford after he earned, and then, finished a penalty, adding an assist for Mason Greenwood. He already impressed against Chelsea in the game prior, smacking the post with a free-kick and assisting Harry Maguire from a corner.
Lars Stindl P3 W2 L0 D1
Don’t sleep on Stindl. The 31-year-old is back to his best after a long spell out following a broken leg. The ‘Gladbach skipper hit top form in February, scoring four and assisting another. The highlight his game-winner in the 3-2 win over Augsburg having already set-up the opener and notched the second.
Alphonso Davies P5 W4 L0 D1
The 19-year-old might just be the best left-back in Europe. His displays for Bayern Munich recently have triggered the club’s hierarchy to initiate talks over a new deal and a bumper wage packet. Deservedly so. Davies canvased his talent against Cologne, providing a slick assist Gnabry after slaloming down the left wing.
Angel Di Maria P6 W5 L0 D1
Di Maria turned 32 on Valentines Day and he proved in February that he is still loving assists. Six of them were produced last month and the Argentine is undoubtedly enjoying one of his best seasons for years.
Darwin Machis P3 W3 L0 D0
The Venezuelan pocket rocket exploded last month, virtually winning three games on his own. The Granada forward planted two stunning finishes to down Osasuna, assisted and scored their two goals in a win over Espanyol and assisted an equaliser versus Real Valladolid.
Kylian Mbappe P5 W5 L0 D0
He fell out with PSG boss Thomas Tuchel after sulking when being substituted, but that attitude is maybe expected from a superstar who bosses every game he played in. Mbappe dominated in February with five goals and two assists, though, his claim for POTM was certainly emboldened by scintillating two-goal display late in the month against Dijon.
Josip Ilicic P4 W3 L0 D1
‘Nonna’ (Grandma) ain’t no slouch. It is a delight to see a player of Ilicic’s talent finally produce it on a consistent basis. Atalanta are the third-highest scorers from Europe’s top-five leagues and the Slovenian is doing his part, scoring two and assisting two more in the month of February.
