The former England international has been unanimously voted
by both playing and retired legends as the best central midfielder in the last
two decades and to some, in their lifetime.
“Scholes
is a spectacular player who has everything. He can play the final pass, he can
score, he is strong, he never gets knocked off the ball and he doesn’t give
possession away. If he had been Spanish then maybe he would have been valued
more. - Xavi
"My toughest opponent? Scholes of Manchester. He is the complete midfielder. -
Zinedine Zidane
“Rooney is one of the best players in the world and I love watching him play. But if you had to pick out only one, then for their history and for all that they have achieved it would have to be Paul Scholes or Ryan Giggs. They are two shining examples for any player. - Andres Iniesta
“I’m not the best, Paul Scholes is. - Edgar Davids, in his prime
“Out of everyone at Manchester United, I would pick out Scholes – he is the best midfielder of his generation. I would have loved to have played alongside him. - Pep Guardiola
“An amazingly gifted player who remained an unaffected human being. - Roy Keane
“The player in the Premiership I admire most? Easy, Scholes. - Patrick Vieira
“He is the one whose level I aspire to. He is the best player in the Premier League. - Cesc Fabregas
“I can’t understand why Scholes has never won the player of the year award. He should have won it long ago. Maybe it’s because he doesn’t seek the limelight like some of the other ‘stars’. - Thierry Henry
“Why isn’t he playing for England? It is crazy. Only in England. Scholes is a great, great player. So experienced and still, for me, one of the best in the world in midfield. Manchester United are lucky to have him. - Jose Mourinho
“At La Masia (Barcelona’s Academy) his name was mentioned a lot. You could say he was a teacher.” Lionel Messi.
And at 37, it seems there
is still more to come from this living legend.
