THE UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE LEGENDS (pt 10) - Chijioke Bernard Onyekwere

Paul Scholes- The last of them on the list.Will there ever be a midfielder like him again?That was the question on the lips of many when he announced his retirement.While his teammates and fans cried,his oppositions and rivals rejoiced at his retirement.

 

For I myself and many renowned football pundits and managers,including his teammates had wondered how a player could be so precise with each pass he gives.You might think it was a mistake,but over and over again,he will give the same pass,and again and again,it will come to that exact point and to the player he wants it to.Even Xavi Hernandez, who many consider to be the greatest central midfielder said in a press conference during his announcement of International football retirement,when asked what was his greatest regret in football;"My greatest regret?I never got to play alongside Paul Scholes.

 

He was one step  ahead and always knew his next move,he is the greatest midfielder I have ever seen,but I was never going to leave Barcelona and he was never going to leave Manchester United."Born 16 November 1974,Paul Scholes played for Manchester United throughout his career,where he scored 107 league goals in 499 appearances and scored over 150 goals in all competition.He scored 14 goals in 66 appearances for England between 1997 and 2004.

 

He won 11 premier league,three FA Cup and two UEFA Champions league winners medals, including other titles too numerous to write down.Cited by many of his footballing peers as one of the best midfielders of his generation,Scholes has also been criticised for his disciplinary record,amassing over 120 bookings in all competitions during his career and being sent off ten times.He scored 24 goals in 124 Champions league appearances and in 2008,he was inducted into the English football Hall of Fame.Scholes was highly regarded for his technical skills,renowned for his accurate passing,Intelligent movement and powerful shooting from long range.A great player adored by his fans and above all,a Phenomenon.

 

Here is hoping that in our own generation,we will find another midfielder like Scholes.But for the mean time we say"Thank you,"Paul Scholes,for the mesmeric passes.