It will always be remembered as one of United’s best ever European goals and rightly so. Scholes … The midfielder found himself defending a one-v-one against Barcelona’s No. With the ball glued to his foot, Messi shimmied to go left before darting right in the blink of an eye, wrong-footing Scholes in the process. Manchester United legend Paul Scholes ended the greatest ever debates in a column which he wrote for The Independent. “Elusive is the word that immediately springs to mind when I think about Messi’s style of play. But for some reason the referee didn’t give it, the game moved on and even Messi did not make much of a fuss. “When I think about our win over Barcelona in that game, on our way to the second Champions League title of the Sir Alex Ferguson era, I always remember that tackle. 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The pair won the treble in 2015 with Barca. United somehow won the match 1-0 thanks to a glorious strike from Paul Scholes, but Messi was unquestionably the game’s standout player and was unlucky to find himself on the losing side. The Verdict, West Ham strike target comes with £40m price-tag - The Verdict, West Brom transfer news: League One ace could join Sam Allardyce's side. This was at Old Trafford in 2008 in the second leg of our Champions League semi-final against Barcelona and, with the score 1-0 to us, I had fouled him in our area. The likes of Zinedine Zidane, Cristiano Ronaldo, Pele, Pep Guardiola and Lionel Messi have all spoken extremely highly of Scholes in the past. “It should have been a penalty to Barcelona, and an away goal would have won them the tie. A from Paul Scholes as Manchester United reached the #UCL final #OTD in 2008! 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Scholes ultimately had the last laugh by scoring *that* spectacular 25-yard screamer at Old Trafford, which sent United through to their first Champions League final since 1999, but Messi was the game’s standout performer. The 45-year-old Manchester United legend who shared the pitch with both Messi and Ronaldo also played alongside Ronaldo during the superstar’s brilliant six years at the Old Trafford. Three-man midfield is Paul Scholes, Gennaro Gattuso and Xavi; Up front are Kaka, Lionel Messi and Filippo Inzaghi By Adam Shergold. Messi found himself one-on-one with Scholes and produced a magnificent piece of skill to skip past the world-class midfielder. Aged just 20 at the time, Messi was at the heart of all Barça’s most dangerous moments. “I am not ashamed to admit that in the games against Barcelona I spent a lot of the time just hoping he would take up positions as far away from me as possible,” Scholes, who faced Messi four times, admitted. Manchester United icon Paul Scholes scored one of the best goals of his illustrious career on April 29, 2008, against Barcelona in the Champions League. The Englishman is hailed as one of the greatest midfielders in football history. All Rights Reserved. “It was a moment I will never forget,” Scholes wrote in The Independent in 2015. You think you have an eye on him and then – blink – he has gone, only to reappear somewhere else in space, with the ball. Does his opinion really matter on the subject matter? The South American shifted to go left before swerving his hips to the right, fooling Scholes with two lightning-quick touches before bursting into the United box. 19 shirt on the night, was on a totally different planet. UEL: He contributed nothing – Paul Scholes blasts Man United star after 6-2 win over Roma. | Last updated 13:47, 11 September 2020 BST Manchester United legend Paul Scholes has admitted that Lionel Messi is the best player he shared the pitch with ahead of Cristiano Ronaldo. Related … However, this was also the game where the legendary English midfielder saw first-hand what an unbelievable talent Lionel Messi was. And you can watch his individual highlights from that semi-final second leg in full here…. The 45-year-old Manchester United legend who shared the pitch with both Messi and Ronaldo also played alongside Ronaldo … Messi, meanwhile, would eventually exact revenge on the Red Devils by scoring goals in both the 2009 and 2011 Champions League finals. You think you have an eye on him and then – blink – he has gone, only to reappear somewhere else in space, with the ball. This was at Old Trafford in 2008 in the second leg of our Champions League semi-final against Barcelona and, with the score 1-0 to us, I had fouled him in our area. But I will never forget that couple of seconds when the best footballer in the world deceived me into fouling him and I waited for the world to fall in. The visitors probably should have been awarded a penalty inside the opening minute when Messi went down under a challenge from Scholes inside the United box. The Verdict, Would McNeil be a good signing for Aston Villa? The relief was overwhelming for a few moments – and then I was back into the game.”. Earlier in the same match, Scholes was left breathing a huge sigh of relief after realising his foul on Messi was right on the edge of the box, rather than inside it. But for some reason the referee didn’t give it, the game moved on and even Messi did not make much of a fuss. In a typically outspoken assessment of … Scholes, by his own admission, did not enjoy the experience of going head-to-head against Messi. United somehow won the match 1-0 … Scholes played with the … Paul Scholes who was one of the finest midfielders of his time and is regarded as a Manchester United legend has named his pick for the best player between Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo and Argentina’s Lionel Messi. Yes, I scored the only goal of the tie, and it was one of my better ones. Former Manchester United midfielder Paul Scholes has named Lionel Messi as the best player in the world, ahead of his ex-teammate Cristiano Ronaldo. Lionel Messi has produced countless spellbinding performances during his illustrious career. “I am not ashamed to admit that in the games against Barcelona I spent a lot of the time just hoping he would take up positions as far away from me as possible,” Scholes, who faced Messi on four occasions, admitted after hanging up his boots. “Elusive is the word that immediately springs to mind when I think about Messi’s style of play. However, this was also the game where the legendary English midfielder saw first-hand what an unbelievable talent Lionel Messi was. It’s hard to think of another player who managed to embarrass Scholes like that. Manchester United legend, Paul Scholes, has tipped Borussia Dortmund striker, Erling Haaland, to reach Barcelona captain, Lionel Messi and Juventus forward, Cristiano Ronaldo’s levels … From Cristiano Ronaldo to Lionel Messi: Top quotes about marquee Premier Futsal player Paul Scholes “Scholes is the best I’ve played with and he helped me a lot when I was young. Will always maintain Juan Sebastian Veron wasn't a total flop at Man Utd, and that Scholes > Gerrard and Lampard. Xavi has shared his disappointment for former team-mate Lionel Messi during his past few seasons at Barcelona, and the lack of success he has had. Manchester United legend Paul Scholes has said that Borussia Dortmund striker Erling Haaland could reach the same levels as Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi … Ronaldo was at the start of his career and Scholes was almost at the end of his career at that … Messi, though, continued to do everything in his power to drag Barcelona back into the tie. Manchester United legend, Paul Scholes, has blasted midfielder, Fred, for his part in AS Roma’s second goal during the Red Devils’ UEFA Europa League, UEL, 6-2 … 19, and there was only ever going to be one outcome. Paul Scholes believes Lionel Messi is the best player of his generation ahead of Cristiano Ronaldo. Xavi, Andres Iniesta, Deco, Thierry Henry, Samuel Eto’o and Yaya Toure were all on the pitch that night, but Messi was Barça’s biggest threat by a distance. Lionel Messi… Football writer for over a decade, childhood hero was Zinedine Zidane. There was one moment, in particular, where Scholes discovered that Messi was on a totally different planet. Paul Scholes have also played against Messi in the Champions League, loosing two successive finals, and Messi was the architect of both defeats. And the United hero found out the hard way that Messi, wearing the No. Messi completed a remarkable 16 dribbles that night, which is more than any other player in a single Champions League fixture since the start of the 2005/06 season. Manchester United icon Paul Scholes scored one of the best goals of his illustrious career on April 29, 2008, against Barcelona in the Champions League. Messi scored a towering header in his side's 2-0 win in Rome. The Verdict, Would McNeil be a good signing for Aston Villa? UEL: He contributed nothing – Paul Scholes blasts Man United star after 6-2 win over Roma Europa League: What Solskjaer told Man Utd players during half-time of 6-2 win over Roma Messi … “He went past me, I stuck out my leg and Lionel Messi went over. “When I think about our win over Barcelona in that game, on our way to the second Champions League title of the Sir Alex Ferguson era, I always remember that tackle. And if you've read the headline, then you'll know that Manchester United legend Paul Scholes was initially selected, ... RM - Lionel Messi. “I think about the great players with whom I … © 2021 Sports New Media Limited. Topics: Paul Scholes , Football News , Football , Manchester United , Barcelona , Lionel Messi , Champions League Facebook Twitter In front of a packed Old Trafford crowd, the Argentine further cemented his status as the best young footballer on the planet with a superb individual performance against one of Sir Alex Ferguson’s most revered sides. Off the pitch he disappears.” Dimitar Berbatov: “Nobody else in the world can play the way Scholes does. © 2021 Sports New Media Limited. He would have been valued more if he was Spanish. All Rights Reserved. Scholes went on to score his famous winner in the 14th minute, lashing the ball past Victor Valdes from outside the box to send the home supporters wild. On the pitch you can’t catch him. The Barcelona legend, who turned 33 on Wednesday, must have an entire room dedicated to his Man of the Match awards inside his house. “It was a moment I will never forget,” Scholes wrote in the Independent. Paul Scholes refused to take on Lionel Messi during a Champions League game! The problem is staying with him.”. Europa League: What Solskjaer told Man Utd players during half-time of 6-2 win over Roma . Football writer for over a decade, childhood hero was Zinedine Zidane. Yes, I scored the only goal of the tie, and it was one of my better ones. Paul Scholes Ends The Lionel Messi Vs Cristiano Ronaldo Debate Once And For All With Brilliant Verdict 7 months ago "To spend £100m or whatever, I didn't think it was right. Paul Scholes column: Lionel Messi is a genius and it only takes a second for him to trick you into doing something daft – I should know! “It should have been a penalty to Barcelona, and an away goal would have won them the tie. Will always maintain Juan Sebastian Veron wasn't a total flop at Man Utd, and that Scholes > Gerrard and Lampard. But I will never forget that couple of seconds when the best footballer in the world deceived me into fouling him and I waited for the world to fall in. One of his early standout performances in the Champions League came at Old Trafford during the 2007-08 campaign. On this day in 2008: Paul Scholes discovered Lionel Messi was on a totally different planet givemesport.com - Rob Swan • 44m Manchester United icon Paul Scholes scored one of the best goals of his illustrious career on April 29, 2008, against Barcelona in the Champions … Read more on givemesport.com On his 44th birthday, here are some of the best quotes about Paul Scholes from the footballing world: Pele: "If he was playing with me, I would have scored so many more." The former football player praised the players with whom he shared a pitch with, and put Lionel Messi above all of them. By Pete Jenson for MailOnline Reports from Barcelona Paul Scholes (/ s k oʊ l z / SKOHLZ; born 16 November 1974) is an English football coach and former player, as well as a co-owner of Salford City.He spent his entire professional playing career with Manchester United, for whom he scored over 150 goals in more than 700 appearances between 1993 and 2013.His first managerial position was at Oldham Athletic, for 31 days in February and March 2019. The Verdict, West Ham strike target comes with £40m price-tag - The Verdict, West Brom transfer news: League One ace could join Sam Allardyce's side. messi and ronaldo: paul scholes declares who is better Messi and Ronaldo controversy has forced legendary footballer, Paul Scholes to declare his choice on who is the better football player. Messi: “At La Masia (Barcelona’s Academy) his name was mentioned a lot. He’s a teacher.” Figo: “I’m star-struck when I see Paul Scholes because you never see him. “He went past me, I stuck out my leg and Lionel Messi went over. Well, he decided to add his thoughts to the popular debate and you won’t believe what he had to say about the matter. Messi and Ronaldo controversy has forced legendary footballer, Paul Scholes to declare his choice on who is the better football player. Cristiano Ronaldo was once a teammate of Paul Scholes at Manchester United. When you try to face up to him and make a tackle you know what it is he is going to do with the ball. Premier League legends Paul Scholes, Steven Gerrard and Frank Lampard have all revealed where they stand on the long-running debate surrounding Cristiano Ronaldo vs … The problem is staying with him.”. Messi, who was just 20 years old at the time, terrorised Manchester United on his first appearance at the Theatre of Dreams. The relief was overwhelming for a few moments – and then I was back into the game.”. German referee Herbert Fandel waved play on, much to Scholes’s relief. He’s amazing.” Paul Scholes … When you try to face up to him and make a tackle you know what it is he is going to do with the ball. Published: … Manchester United icon Paul Scholes scored one of the best goals of his illustrious career on April 29, 2008, against Barcelona in the Champions League. Scholes, who missed the 1999 Champions League final through suspension, went on to lift the European Cup weeks later after helping United defeat Chelsea in Moscow. Las imperdibles anécdotas de Paul Scholes cuando le tocó marcar a Lionel Messi Paul Scholes tiene 40 años. Messi, who was just 20 years old at the time, terrorised Manchester United on his first appearance at the Theatre of Dreams. Paul Scholes believes Manchester United have sunk so low that even Lionel Messi would struggle to shine for his old club at the moment..