Manchester United legend Paul Scholes has said that there is a clear “difference” between one talent that has “impressed” him and a former opponent that he faced.
Paul Scholes played for Manchester United throughout his entire legendary playing career and the TNT Sports pundit had a superb period at Old Trafford across his two spells.
The 50-year-old former United star is regarded as one of the best Premier League players of all time and one of the best midfielders in the history of football.
Scholes rose through the ranks of the United youth academy and the footballer-turned-pundit became a key United first-team player under Sir Alex Ferguson.
A ‘Class of ‘92’ success story at United, Scholes enjoyed incredible silverware success at Old Trafford and he made a whopping 716 appearances for the Red Devils.
The United legend lifted 11 Premier League titles, two Champions Leagues, three FA Cups and two League Cups under former United manager Sir Alex Ferguson.
Scholes initially walked away from Old Trafford in 2011 as a United player before making a U-turn on his retirement and returning for the Red Devils in 2012.
The former England international signed off his career for the final time in 2013 after United lifted their last Premier League title under Ferguson in the 2012-13 campaign.
Man Utd icon Paul Scholes’ eye-opening assessment on Barcelona star Lamine Yamal and Argentina legend Lionel Messi
Lamine Yamal has made a name for himself with Barcelona after breaking out from the famed La Masia academy and emerging in the La Liga club’s first team.
The 17-year-old Barcelona winger has lifted both the La Liga title and a Copa del Rey trophy with his club and the European Championship with Spain in 2024.
Lamine Yamal’s superstar rise has already led to comparisons with Barcelona legend Lionel Messi, who is widely considered one of the best players of all time.
Paul Scholes crossed paths with Lionel Messi on the pitch and the Manchester United icon has ruled out the comparisons between Lamine Yamal and the Inter Miami star.
Speaking in his column for TNT Sports, he said: “From what we’ve seen, Lamine Yamal can be one of the very best, because he’s got absolutely everything.
“During that amazing semi-final, I was impressed with his passing, his weight of pass and the way he sees people.
I always said that when you are one-on-one with Lionel Messi, the biggest problem is that he’s quick, he can go left, right or through the middle, and it’s virtually impossible to defend against.
“Although Messi was quick over a short space of time, the difference with Yamal is that he can also run in behind and still be rapid – almost similar to Kylian Mbappe’s pace.”
Paul Scholes admits that there is one ‘very difficult’ challenge for Lamine Yamal to do to rival Barcelona icon Lionel Messi
Paul Scholes wants to see if Lamine Yamal can challenge the incredible numbers that Lionel Messi has produced across his legendary playing career for club and country.
“It will be very difficult for him to reach Messi’s numbers, but I actually think he can play in the middle as well, which is where Messi gets most of his goals and assists,” he continued.
“He’s got [a] great physique and still got time to grow into his body.
“To be [a] 17-year-old with 100 games, 20+ goals and multiple assists to his name, he’s got the chance to be the very best and nobody will be surprised if that happens.”
Yamal, who is under contract with Barcelona until 2026, has netted 16 times and picked up 24 assists in 52 matches for the Spanish side in the 2024-25 campaign.
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