A Quote by Paul Scholes

People say that Rooney could have been like Lionel Messi, a more prolific goalscorer who dribbles past opponents more. But they are different characters. You will never see Messi snapping around the heels of an opponent to win the ball back deep in his own half. Wayne does that all the time, and sometimes that enthusiasm will count against him.

Paul Scholes

Quote Topics

Against Around Back Ball Been Characters Could Could Have Been Count Deep Different Different Characters Does Enthusiasm Half Heels Him His Like Messi More Never Opponent Opponents Own Past People People Say Prolific Rooney Say See Snapping Sometimes Time Wayne Will Win

Quote Author

Paul Scholes
English - Athlete
Born: November 16, 1974

Messi is the best in the world. Cristiano is a goalscorer. Messi is more taltented, more complete, tactically and footballwise. Cristiano isn't doing those runs anymore like at United. Messi takes more part in the game, I'd always prefer him in my team.

Cesc Fabregas

Look, the reality is that people will pay more for a match when Wayne Rooney is playing than when I am playing. I will never expect to be paid the same as Wayne Rooney, because I am not Wayne Rooney. And there's no getting around that.

Eniola Aluko

Messi is the best. I have not seen or will ever see a player like Lionel Messi.

Fernando Torres

I admire Messi: he's never complained to me in any game we played, but I've also never asked him for his jersey and never would. I came to win, not to say I played against Messi.

Filipe Luis

For the world of football, Messi is a treasure because he is role model for children around the world... Messi will be the player to win the most Ballons d'Or in history. He will win five, six, seven. He is incomparable. He's in a different league.

Johan Cruijff

Player I would like to sign for Internazionale? It's easy, the strongest in Europe at the moment is Lionel Messi, so I would say him. Messi has amazing qualities, he is the best of all, number one. That is unquestiionable.

Luis Figo

Critics have always questioned whether players like Pele from the 50s could play today. Lionel Messi could play in the 1950s and the present day, as could Di Stefano, Pele, Maradona, Cruyff because they are all great players. Lionel Messi without question fits into that category.

Alex Ferguson

I think playing against [Lionel Messi] is pretty difficult. Playing by the side of the best of the world is always good. Things get easier. And if I have to win, may it be by Messi's side. It would be great.

Neymar

Messi and Neymar will create beauty - just like Picasso's paint brush. I still believe Messi is the best in the world. He has a special magic and is more of a team player than Cristiano. Never before has there been such a difference between the King and the next.

Cesar Luis Menotti

They are different footballers. For me, Cristiano has more points in his favour because he heads the ball well, he is stronger and he scores goals. Messi has quality, dribbles and scores goals. For a coach, I think Cristiano is better because he is more complete.

Pepe

I have played against (Michel) Platini, (Diego) Maradona, (Johan) Cruyff and played with George Best — a lot of big names, but none of them has been able to do what Messi does. Two years ago I said that the best player I played against was Maradona and the best player I have played with was Bestie. But I can now say I have never seen a player as good as Messi. He’s in a league of his own.

John Terry

When Messi plays the ball, everybody expects many things from him. Sometimes it's too much because we have to let Messi breathe a bit.

Ernesto Valverde

Even from when Lionel Messi was very young I could see that he was a great player. A lot of people spoke about him, and then when I saw him myself for the first time I could see the amazing quality that he had. I didn't teach him anything - he had enough quality himself.

Ronaldinho

Messi plays in Spain, we know he makes a difference, but if you've played against him then maybe you're aware of situations that can repeat on the pitch. But Messi is Messi, with his talent, he may send a spark with very little and make the difference. He is unpredictable.

Didier Deschamps

Sometimes journalists say that goalkeepers can do a little more when they play against Messi, but I see it in every training: it does not matter where you place yourself; he's going to shoot to the other side.