La Liga Week 22 Standings: Lionel Messi, Barcelona Inch Closer to First Place Amid Real Madrid's Loss to Atletico Madrid

By Damon Salvadore First Posted: Feb 09, 2015 01:51 PM EST

What a week of Spanish League soccer it was.

Real Madrid got their superstar back on the field, but Cristiano Ronaldo couldn't make the slightest bit of a difference. Real Madrid fell to their rivals, Atletico Madrid, 4-0. It was one of the most embarrassing losses for Real Madrid in recent memory. Antoine Griezmann and Mario Mandzukic continued their scoring ways for Atletico Madrid by each scoring one goal against Real Madrid.

This was a devastating loss for Real Madrid. They still remain first in the standings, but Barcelona defeated Athletic Bilbao, 5-2. With that win, Barcelona got that 17th victory of the season and now has 53 league points, just one behind Real Madrid.

Lionel Messi scored a goal in his fifth consecutive game, all Barcelona victories. Messi now has eight goals in his last five La Liga games. Amazingly, Messi has almost caught up to Ronaldo for the league lead in goals this season. Ronaldo still remains at 28 while Messi is up to 23. Not only has Messi been on fire lately, but his sidekick, Neymar, has been equally as effective. The Brazilian striker has scored in his last five games as well.

Barcelona will play Levante at home next week.

For Real Madrid, Ronaldo is going to have to play better than ever to have a chance. Colombian forward James Rodriguez will miss the next two months because of a broken foot. Ronaldo hasn't scored a goal since his Week 19 game against Getafe. Karim Benzema and Gareth Bale will also have to step up their game along with goalkeeper Iker Casillas.

Real Madrid will play Deportivo at home next week.

As for the team that beat Real Madrid, Atletico Madrid had a terrific week. Atletico Madrid has now won four consecutive games and is 2-0 against Real Madrid this season. Those two wins are huge because if Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid are tied at the end of the season, Atletico Madrid will own the tie-breaker.

Atletico Madrid has not won back-to-back Spanish League titles since the 1949 and 1950 seasons. It's been more than half a century without consecutive championships for Atletico Madrid, but this squad is trying to end that long drought. Quietly goalkeeper Miguel Moya has been outstanding lately, allowing just two goals in the last four games.

Atletico Madrid will play Celta Vigo on the road next week.

Obviously Barcelona was the big winner this week. With Rodriguez out for an extending period of time, and Real Madrid having defensive issues, Ronaldo may not be able to do everything by himself. Not only did Barcelona pick up a key road win over Athletic Bilbao, but Messi is now the all-time assist leader in La Liga history. With momentum in their favor and Rodriguez out with a broken foot, Barcelona is primed to make a first place run.

With 16 weeks still remaining, there is plenty of time for various teams to make a run, but it appears as if we have a three team race for this year's Spanish League title. This will be one exciting finish for soccer fans.