Gareth Bale is more valuable than Cristiano Ronaldo for Real Madrid in La Liga

Former Tottenham hero Gareth Bale is proving more valuable in terms of points-earning for Real Madrid during the current campaign than Ballon D'or Cristiano Ronaldo, recent stats analysis has revealed.

The Welshman has been under increasing scrutiny by Spanish media and his own fans in recent weeks amid a crisis of results at the Santiago Bernabeu – with consecutive defeats against Athletic Bilbao and Schalke in the Champions League.

Some fans have whistled at him in a number of games this season, and recently urged manager Carlo Ancelotti to drop him from the starting line-up because fans believe his lack of commitment with the defence is the reason behind the unbalanced 4-3-3 formation, as Ronaldo and Karim Benzeman don't defend either.

However, even though Bale recently had a nine game goal drought, stats revealed by Spanish Diario AS prove that the Wales international has been more important for his side than former Manchester United hero Ronaldo, as well Karim Benzema.

The former Tottenham hero has netted 12 La Liga goals this season, giving Real Madrid a total of six points thanks to his winners against Malaga and Cordoba - both were 2-1 victories that would have been draws without his goals - and his crucial brace in the 2-0 victory over Levante on 15 March.

Even though Ronaldo has scored 30 La Liga goals this campaign, the Portugal international has given Real Madrid just five points, as most of them came in games which Real Madrid would have won anyway. Ronaldo scored goals in the 5-1 victory against Elche (he netted four) and in the 3-0 win over Celta (scoring a hat trick).

Bale has also been more decisive than Benzema, who has netted one more goal than the Welshman but only earned four points for his side.

Last season, despite the huge criticism since his £89m arrival at Real Madrid, Bale scored decisive goals in the Copa del Rey Final and the Champions League.

Meanwhile, AS reports that Bale is trying to silence the critics both on the ground and also in training sessions, and has been working half an hour extra than his teammates with Ancelotti's assistant manager Paul Clement for the last two months.