Top 5 Real Madrid players of 2017

2017 will probably go down as the best year in the history of Real Madrid. Apart from winning five trophies in the calendar year, Los Blancos also clinched a European Cup double after 59 years.

However, 2017 hasn't exactly been memorable considering the club's unexpected downfall since September. The Spanish giants are currently sitting fourth in the league, making desperate attempts to up the ante in order to avoid a trophy-less 2017-18 season.

In a year that gifted a fair share of ups and downs for the club, let's have a look at the five players who have shined the brightest in the 23-man squad.

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#5 Casemiro

Since Zinedine Zidane's appointment as Real Madrid coach, Casemiro has revelled as the bedrock of the Los Blancos. But, the Brazilian is always overlooked due to the star attackers he plays with.

Though he has made a fair share of mistakes this season, his shielding presence has allowed the likes of Modric and Kroos to concentrate more on attacks. Also, the Brazilian brings defensive stability to Los Merengues while offering help as an attacker in times of need.

According to WhoScored.com, Casemiro is the second-best performer for Real Madrid right now with a 7.54 rating, behind Cristiano Ronaldo. Further, the likes of Fernandinho and Sergio Busquets have hailed him as one of the best defensive midfielders in the world at the moment.

#4 Isco

Isco has prospered in Bale's absence

Spanish midfielder Isco ran riot last season with some stellar performances, enough for Florentino Perez to offer him a contract with a buyout clause worth €700 million.

After helping Real Madrid win a plethora of trophies last season, the Spaniard has been the best performer during the dark times at the Spanish Capital.

Isco was mostly overshadowed by the BBC on his arrival, usually being shoehorned into the side in absence of any one of the trio. However, in light of Bale's injuries, he has shown Zidane how invaluable he is to the Los Blancos.

As of now, his consistency has seen him walk alongside Cristiano Ronaldo as one of the top goal-scorers for the club.

As good as he is at Real Madrid, Isco has also established himself as one of the crucial players for Spain. He will definitely be a man to watch in the World Cup

#3 Luka Modric

Luka Modric was Real Madrid's best performer at the FIFA World Cup

Croatian midfielder Luka Modric was at the height of his powers, as usual, controlling the tempo for Real Madrid from the middle. He might not have grabbed as many assists as Kroos, but his ability to dish out spectacular passes makes him the centrepiece of Real Madrid's midfield jigsaw.

The 32-year-old was awarded the UEFA Best Midfielder of 2017 alongside Cristiano Ronaldo.

He clinched IFFHS World's Best Playmaker bronze award behind Toni Kroos and trumped Ronaldo to the FIFA Club World Cup Golden Ball. Adding to that, he accompanied Kroos in the Champions League team of the Season for 2016-17 and FIFPro World XI for 2017.

Undoubtedly, Modric will be of paramount importance to them in their attempts to restore themselves to their former glory.

#2 Toni Kroos

Toni Kroos is as valuable as Cristiano Ronaldo at the Bernabeu

Though Real Madrid have been under-firing this season, Toni Kroos has been consistent in providing the required services to the forward line to score goals. He has been a pivotal part of the club's impressive haul of five trophies in the calendar year. He has been regarded as the best midfielder on the planet by many due to his ability to maintain a 90% or more passing accuracy in almost every game.

Toni Kroos was named in the Champions League Squad of the Season for 2016-17. He also made it to the FIFPro World XI and clinched the IFFHS World's Best Playmaker silver award behind Lionel Messi.

The German enforcer's invaluable contribution in the midfield is a strong reason why he should be valued as much as Cristiano Ronaldo at the Bernabeu.

#1 Cristiano Ronaldo

Cristiano Ronaldo lifted his fifth Ballon d'Or this year

In spite of his loss of form, Cristiano Ronaldo deserves to be on this list. He might not have looked as flashy as usual, but he was the chief provocateur as Real Madrid lifted the La Liga and successfully defended their Champions League crown this year.

Ronaldo brought in fresh additions to his individual trophy cabinet by winning the UEFA Best Forward of the Year and the Fifa Men's Best Player of the Year. Adding to that, he trumped Leo Messi to win the fifth Ballon d'Or, thereby equaling the Argentinian's tally of the award.

Coming to his performances in important fixtures, the 32-year-old made it to the scoresheet in the Champions League final with a brace. Recently, it was his free-kick that helped Real Madrid win the FIFA Club World Cup for a record fourth time in history.

At present, he seems to be recovering from his nightmare after levelling Isco as Real Madrid's top goal-scorer with 4 goals in the league this season.

Considering all those awards he won, he deserves to wear the crown as Real Madrid's best player in 2017.