The Untold Story of Paul Scholes: A Football Legend and Manchester United’s Midfield Maestro
Paul Scholes is a retired English footballer, who spent his entire career playing for Manchester United. He is widely regarded as one of the best midfielders in the history of football. Despite his remarkable career, there is so much about Scholes that most fans are unaware of. This blog post will delve into some lesser-known facts and anecdotes about his life and career.
Introduction
Scholes was born in Salford, Greater Manchester, in 1974. He joined the Manchester United youth academy at the age of 14 and quickly progressed through the ranks. Scholes made his first-team debut for the club in 1994 and went on to become a crucial member of the team.
Facts about the Early Life of Paul Scholes
Scholes grew up in Langley, where he still lives today. As a child, he was a Manchester United fan and idolized Bryan Robson. Despite being a talented footballer from a young age, Scholes initially joined Manchester United’s youth academy as a goalkeeper. However, it was soon apparent that his talents lay on the field.
The Schoolboy Who Played with Professionals
Scholes was so good that he made his debut for the Manchester United reserve team at the age of just 14. He played alongside experienced professionals such as Roy Keane and Steve Bruce and held his own. Scholes even scored in his debut game, announcing himself to the world.
The Underrated Midfielder
Despite his incredible talent, Scholes was often overshadowed by other stars during his career. Players such as David Beckham, Ryan Giggs, and Cristiano Ronaldo often stole the limelight. However, Scholes was a vital member of the team and was known for his exceptional passing, vision, and movement.
The Secret to Scholes’ Success
Scholes was known for his incredible work ethic and dedication to his craft. He was always one of the first players to show up for training and was known to stay late to work on his technique. His incredible footballing brain, combined with such hard work, led him to become one of the all-time greats.
The Mistake That Nearly Ended His Career
In 2005, Scholes underwent eye surgery to correct a problem that had been causing his vision to blur. Unfortunately, the surgery went wrong, and Scholes suffered an infection that nearly led him to lose his sight. Luckily, he made a full recovery and went on to play for several more years.
The End of an Era
Scholes retired from football in 2011 but was coaxed out of retirement for the 2012/13 season. Scholes played 33 games in his final season, helping Manchester United to secure another Premier League title. He retired for the second time in May 2013.
The Post-Retirement Life of Paul Scholes
Since retiring from football, Scholes has worked as a pundit for various TV channels and has expressed an interest in coaching. He also owns a football academy in Salford, where he helps to develop young players and pass on his knowledge of the game.
Conclusion
Paul Scholes is a football legend and a true Manchester United great. He led an exceptional career and was one of the most underrated players of his generation. However, his hard work, dedication, and love for the game paved the way for a successful career and ensured his place in football history.
5 FAQs about the Untold Story of Paul Scholes
Q. When did Paul Scholes join the Manchester United youth academy?
A. Paul Scholes joined the Manchester United youth academy at the age of 14.
Q. Did Paul Scholes ever play in any other positions apart from midfield?
A. Paul Scholes initially joined Manchester United’s youth academy as a goalkeeper but soon switched to midfield.
Q. How did Paul Scholes nearly lose his sight?
A. Paul Scholes underwent eye surgery to correct a vision problem, but it went wrong, and he contracted an infection that nearly led him to lose his sight.
Q. What is Paul Scholes doing now after retiring from football?
A. Paul Scholes works as a football pundit, coaches young players at his academy in Salford, and has expressed interest in coaching.
Q. How many times did Paul Scholes retire from football?
A. Paul Scholes retired from football twice. The first time was in 2011, and he returned for the 2012/13 season before retiring for the second time in May 2013.