Mathieu Debuchy has been named Player of the Month for February in Ligue 1, beating out competition from Neymar.

Nominated for the award for the first time in five years (and Thiago Silva won it that month), Debuchy has excelled since finally leaving Arsenal in January, with two goals in six appearances.

It’s not surprising Debuchy has hit the ground running.

The right-back has a point to prove, especially with the World Cup coming up in the summer.

Marseille's Cameroonian forward Clinton Njie (R) vies with Saint-Etienne's French defender Mathieu Debuchy during the French L1 football match between AS Saint-Etienne and Olympique de Marseille on February 9, 2018 at the Geoffroy Guichard stadium in Saint-Etienne, central France. / AFP PHOTO / PHILIPPE DESMAZES
Marseille’s Cameroonian forward Clinton Njie (R) vies with Saint-Etienne’s French defender Mathieu Debuchy during the French L1 football match between AS Saint-Etienne and Olympique de Marseille on February 9, 2018 at the Geoffroy Guichard stadium in Saint-Etienne, central France. / AFP PHOTO / PHILIPPE DESMAZES

Plus, in his limited appearances for Arsenal this season, the 32-year-old looked solid.

Debuchy was never going to get ahead of Hector Bellerin at Arsenal, and his recent injury record is concerning.

Leaving was the right choice, but he should be able to push on now with Les Verts and could well be on his way to Russia this summer.

Final vote:

  1. Mathieu Debuchy 47%
  2. Neymar 34%
  3. Benjamin Lecomte 19%