What Zidane said about Scholes is not just a passing comment — it’s a window into mutual respect between two midfield maestros. In this article, ZaneyStrike takes you through the context, meaning, and legacy of Zidane’s remarks, exploring why they still resonate with fans and players alike.
The Context: Zidane Reflects On His Toughest Opponent
Zidane, one of the greatest to ever play, has never shied away, he named Paul Scholes of Manchester United without hesitation.
He described Scholes as “the complete midfielder” and said Scholes made life “terribly uncomfortable” for opponents. He added that one of his regrets was never having the chance to play alongside him. These words have echoed across years of interviews and retrospectives.
The exact lines often quoted are:
“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.”
“One of my regrets is that the opportunity to play alongside him never presented itself during my career.”
These statements capture not only admiration but also a sense of wistfulness — a recognition that two legends never shared the same team or midfield.
What Zidane Meant By “Complete Midfielder”
To call someone a “complete midfielder” is to acknowledge mastery across multiple dimensions of the game. When Zidane used this phrase to describe Scholes, he spotlighted a rare combination of:
- Technical excellence — crisp passing, first touch, ball control
- Tactical intelligence — positional awareness, reading the game
- Physical tenacity — stamina, pressing, defensive contributions
- Game control — dictating tempo, transitioning between attack and defense
In face-to-face duels, Zidane noted Scholes would snuff out time and space: “You didn’t get any time on the ball when he was around.” That, in Zidane’s eyes, is hallmark of someone who doesn’t merely participate — but dominates.
This praise goes beyond flattery — it’s a recognition that Scholes embodied a midfield role with nuance, influence, and consistency.
Juan Diaz: Encounters & Matches
The European Stage (Euro 2004)
One of the more cited head-to-head showdowns occurred during Euro 2004. In England v France, Scholes was deployed on the left for England, and while he eventually twisted an ankle and had to leave, his performance up until that moment drew praise for how he dictated tempo and matched formidable opposition. Zidane faced him several times in European competition, and that clash has often been used as “evidence” of why Zidane held him in such esteem.
Club Battles & Friendly Moments
Though their club careers rarely overlapped in direct confrontation, every time Manchester United faced teams with Zidane, fans and analysts have scoured replays for midfield battles, small duels, transitional moments, and passing sequences — anything that might hint at that mutual respect. Scholes’ quiet control and intermittent bursts of brilliance contrasted with Zidane’s flair, but both players radiated command in midfield.
Legacy, Influence & Interpretation
How the Media Elevated the Quotes
Over time, what Zidane said about Scholes has been distilled into soundbites repeated across platforms. Highlight compilations, social media cards, and “greatest quotes” lists have made those phrases canonical. They serve not just as trivia, but as talking points for comparisons — e.g., is Kevin De Bruyne or Luka Modrić closer to that “complete midfielder” ideal?
Reflections From Scholes and Peers
Scholes himself — modest as ever — has often deflected praise. Still, when reminded of Zidane’s admiration, he acknowledges it with humility. Other legends,. The resonance of Zidane’s words lies in how they echo through generations — players studying midfielders see in Scholes a benchmark, and in Zidane’s praise, a validation.
Counterpoints and Critique
Some argue “the complete midfielder” is overused rhetoric, and that no player is truly perfect. Critics sometimes cite Scholes’ limitations (pace, physicality in big duels) or argue that modern midfielders — in more physically demanding systems — would eclipse him in some metrics. Yet even skeptics concede that Zidane’s praise is meaningful coming.
Why What Zidane Said About Scholes Still Matters
- Authentic peer praise
- When a player as decorated and self-aware as Zidane only rarely lavishes such praise, those moments carry weight. It elevates Scholes in the pantheon of midfield greats.
- Midfield as art form
- The phrase “complete midfielder” is often misused — but coming, it frames midfield mastery as artistry: balance, control, influence.
- Inspiration for young players
- Fans and coaches point to the Zidane–Scholes praise loop as a marker of ideal midfield traits: technical poise, intelligence, consistency. Young midfielders still study that balance between defense and attack.
- Legacy and myth-making
- Quotes like these feed into football mythology. They help preserve legends in collective memory, offering narratives more captivating than pure stats alone.
Final Thoughts
What Zidane said about Scholes continues to echo in football discourse, because it bridges performance and personality. That a peer of Zidane’s magnitude would call Scholes “a complete midfielder” and lament never playing alongside him draws a line of reverence across eras. For fans, analysts, and players, it’s more than a quote — it’s a benchmark.
If you’re curious, ZaneyStrike invites you to dive deeper: explore Scholes’ finest matches, compare modern midfielders to this ideal, or assemble your own list of greatest duos who regretted never playing together. Share your thoughts below — would you pair Zidane and Scholes?
