Box – to – Box

Paul Scholes

A seasoned club and international player, Paul Scholes has been an integral part of Manchester United’s midfield for eternity it seems. His passing ability, his ability to read a game and his consistency has been has been key to the clubs success for a large part of the Ferguson era. His consistency and influence on the team is another reason why he can boast 8 premier league medals. His peak season, similar to many other Manchester United players of his generation was the 1999 treble season. His presence on the team sheet helped the team reach new heights and win the treble.

Since his retirement from international football, the England midfield has struggled to find balance, which has led to many the gaffers at the helm to try convince him not to throw the 3 lions jersey back on. However for Manchester United fans, it has only helped prolong his career and this year, after a 9 year wait, when the man Manchester United rest their hopes on; Cristiano Ronaldo failed to unlock Barcelona, it was the 33 year old, 5ft 7, Salford born midfielder that found the answer. Not only did he find the tie breaker, but he was the teams best player throughout the two legs…and for once, seldom in his 15 year career had the tabloids talking about his brilliance. After picking up the elusive Champions League, many wondered whether he had it left in him. The following season he was instrumental for United as the picked up the World Club Championship, League Cup and the Premier League. Though Man Utd failed to win the league for a 4th consecutive season he put in some majestic performances most notably vs Manchester City. As Sir Alex Ferguson put it, “he passed Man City to death!” and his injury time goal put the icing on the cake for his man of the match performance. Now at 35, maybe he doesn’t have the legs to be the box to box midfielder he was before, but his mental and technical ability still make up for it – and is still a joy to watch. Even Capello the England World Cup 2010 , tried to convince Scholes out of retirement. But being the family man he is, he declined. To sum it all up, when Zidane was asked who his toughest opponent was, he replied, “”My toughest opponent? Scholes of Manchester. He is the complete midfielder.”…

Zinedine Zidane

A no name to most of the world until a 2 headers and a sparkling performance against Brazil in the 1998 World Cup Final had the world talking about a certain ‘Zizou’. Before then he was already one of the best players in the Juventus midfield where he played alongside former France captain Dider Deschamps and Later Edgar Davids. There he led Juventus to 2 league titles before his world record move GBP 47 million move to Real Madrid there he enjoyed a successful stint, winning the elusive champions league medal he had been hunting his whole career. On the international front, other than leading France to a world cup in 1998, he also led them to a European Championship in 2000. To add to that he is part of an elite group to have one the coveted world player of the year award 3 times.

His Career however ended on a sour note as he was red carded for his headbutt on Maro Materazzi in the world cup 2006 final. While the media will remember his headbutt; I’m sure soccer fanatics will be more interested with his mesmerizing displays throughout his 18 year career. A football genius to say the least, a man truly blessed with a football brain. Whether he was passing, shooting, running at an opponent or even just watching his movement on the pitch, he truly was an admirable player. Without a doubt, he possibly is the best player of his generation and should be considered along with the greats such as Maradona, Pele and Cruyff.