“Playing against Messi, as I've said before, is as tough a test of your concentration as any in football. At any moment, he can take the mickey out of you. Physically, it is demanding, but mentally even more so. You cannot switch off.”

English former footballer, pundit, and coach

Paul Scholes is an English former professional footballer, later a pundit and coach. He was born in 1974 and spent his entire senior playing career with Manchester United, where he became closely associated with the club’s success from 1993 to 2013. He won 25 trophies with Manchester United, including 11 Premier League titles, three FA Cups, and two UEFA Champions League titles. He was known for his technical ability, accurate passing, sharp movement, long-range shooting, and an unusual capacity to score goals from midfield.