Paul Scholes- 50 Quotes That Define a Legend

Now retired, Paul Scholes was undoubtedly the preeminent midfielder of his generation. Hailed by all of his peers, the admiration shown for Scholes, throughout the world, is a testament to his career and the only true reflection of a what great player he was.

While making 676 appearances for Manchester United, scoring 150 goals, Paul won 10 Premier League Titles, 2 European Cups, 3 FA Cups, 2 League Cups and 5 Community Shields but the way in which he has earned the respect of the whole footballing community is arguably his greatest achievement.

Hailed across the globe, here are 50 quotes which summarise his legacy, so much better than any single article could.

Alonso

“Fans in Spain rate him very highly and I admire him a huge amount. To me Paul is a role model. He is the best midfielder I’ve seen in the last 15 or 20 years.”

Berbatov            

“Nobody else in the world can play the way Scholes does. The passes he produces all over the field and the way he changes the game is brilliant. Every manager would like him. But luckily he is here and playing with us. Paul practices that all the time. When he has finished training he always goes out and shoots.”

Best                      

“The boy can play”

Blanc                    

“I tell anyone who asks me – Scholes is the best English player. At Manchester United I saw what he can do and all I could say is wow.”

Butt                    

“In my opinion he’s up there with the top three or four players to play for United.”

Carrick                 

“Paul Scholes is just fantastic. When you play alongside him, you realise what a special talent he is.”

Charlton             

“Paul Scholes is my favourite player. He epitomises the spirit of Manchester United and everything that is good about football.”

Paul Retired at the Top…

Crerand               

“What a player Paul is. Everything about him is just perfect.”

Davids                 

“Every one of us is just trying to become as good as him. Everyone can learn from Paul Scholes”

Fabregas             

“He is the one whose level I aspire to. He is the best player in the Premier League.”

Ferdinand          

“Paul Scholes, aka Sat Nav, went from a scoring midfielder to a dictator of the game (changed his game while still at top of the game). Genius.”

Ferguson            

“He’s one of the great players to come through the ranks here.”

Figo                      

“I’m star-struck when I see Paul Scholes because you never see him. On the pitch you can’t catch him. Off the pitch he disappears.”

Fletcher              

“We won’t ever see another one like Paul Scholes. He is a legend and a real benchmark. He is not interested in the modern-day footballer’s life off the pitch, but he is a world-class player on it”

Giggs                    

“I have played with some great players during my time at United but I would have to put Paul Scholes down as the best.”

Guardiola           

“He is the best midfielder of his generation. I would have loved to have played alongside him.”

Scholes 1 0 Barcelona

Gudjohnsen      

“Scholes is one of the most complete footballers I’ve ever seen. His one-touch play is phenomenal. Whenever I have played against him, I never felt I could get close to him.”

Henry                  

“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’.”

Henderson        

“Sad to hear of Paul Scholes retirement! One of the best midfielders to grace the Premiership! Idolised him for years! Legend.”

Hoddle                

“There isn’t a player of his mould anywhere in the world.”

Keane                  

“No celebrity bullshit, no self promotion – an amazingly gifted player who remained an unaffected human being.”

Kidd                      

“Paul Scholes had the best football brain I’d ever seen in a kid. Let’s face it. Paul Scholes is in a class of its own.”

Law                       

“He’s the best all-round. A joy to watch.”

Lippi                     

“Paul Scholes would have been one of my first choices for putting together a great team.”

Maradonna       

“His technique is unique.”

Messi                   

“At La Masia, his name was mentioned a lot. He’s a teacher.”

Mourinho          

“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.”

Nasri                    

“Sad to hear Paul Scholes is retiring, great player, world class player, the English Zizou.”

Neville G            

“I wouldn’t swap Paul Scholes for anybody. He is quite simply the most complete footballer I have ever played with. He is the best.”

Two Legends Who Will Be Sorely Missed…

Neville P            

“Paul, for me, is the best player in the England team. It worries teams. Speak to any other international team and they will single Paul out as England’s key player. For me, he doesn’t get the full credit that he deserves. He is a world-class player and deserves to be up there with the likes of Zidane and Figo.”

Pallister

“When you talk about the greats of Manchester United, he’s up there with Georgie Best, Bryan Robson, Ryan Giggs and Bobby Charlton just purely for the amount of medals that he’s won, he’s going to be greatly missed by Manchester United.”

Pele                      

“If he was playing with me, I would score so many more.”

Pique                   

“One of the best players I’ve ever seen in my life! Spectacular on training!! Playing with him was a joy!”

Querioz               

“When Scholes is in the team, it’s like playing with the lights switched on”

Ronaldinho       

“I want to pass like him. Who taught him how to do that?”

Ronaldo              

“Scholes is the best i’ve played with and he helped me a lot when I was young. He’s amazing.”

Rooney               

“The best player I’ve played with or against.”

Rossi                    

“One of the greats in his position has retired. Was an honor playing with Paul Scholes.. RespectForALegend”

Routledge          

“Possibly the best midfielder the Prem has seen…”

Savage                

  “Seriously legend is overused but Scholesy is a legend, end of!”

Technique, at it’s best…

Schevchenko    

“They have two of the world’s best young players in Cristiano Ronaldo and Wayne Rooney, but the player who most impresses me is Paul Scholes. He is United’s most important player, he makes most things happen on the field.”

Shearer               

“If you ask footballers to pick out the player they most admire, so many of them will pick Paul Scholes.”

Simpson            

  “Paul Scholes the legend, best footballer I’ve ever witnessed in real life! Fact”

Southgate          

“Paul Scholes deserves all the accolades he will get on his retirement,most gifted English player of his generation & humble with it. Legend”

Strachan             

“He can score goals, hit crossfield passes, play one-twos, beat people and win headers in the opponents’ box, so if you take that whole package I don’t think I’ve seen anybody as consistent – and he’s been doing that for 10 or 11 years.”

Vennables         

“He’s the best one- or two-touch passer in the country. He sees the game unlike any other player.”

Viera                    

“The player in the Premiership I admire most? Easy – Scholes”

Wilshere            

“Sad to hear Paul Scholes is retiring, what a player! Top class and a great role model for any young English midfield player!”

Xavi                      

“In the last 15 to 20 years the best central midfielder that I have seen — the most complete — is Scholes. I have spoken with Xabi Alonso about this many times. 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.”

Zidane                 

“My toughest opponent? Scholes of Manchester. He is the complete midfielder. You rarely come across the complete footballer, but Scholes is as close to it as you can get.’”

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