Paul Scholes vs Gennaro Gattuso: Stats Compared
Central Midfielder, England (born 1974, retired 2013) · Defensive Midfielder, Italy (born 1978, retired 2013)
Line up Paul Scholes next to Gennaro Gattuso and the contrasts come quickly. They occupied different roles, which makes a like-for-like verdict a careful exercise. The raw numbers read 169 goals in 784 outings for Paul Scholes (0.22/game), versus 25 in 550 for Gennaro Gattuso (0.05/game). Add playmaking to the mix and Paul Scholes laid on 75 goals, Gennaro Gattuso 20. Paul Scholes departs the game with 17 major pieces of silverware, including 2× UEFA Champions League (1999, 2008); Gennaro Gattuso with 5, including 1× FIFA World Cup (2006). As a central midfielder Paul Scholes bent the role to a incisive template; as a defensive midfielder, Gennaro Gattuso redefined it with incisive authority. Club journeys add another layer, with Paul Scholes reaching his representative peak around 2008 across Manchester United and Gennaro Gattuso doing so around 2007 with Perugia, Rangers, AC Milan, Sion. Picking between them says as much about the picker as the players.
155 words · comparison angle: role
Player profiles
Manchester United midfielder renowned for his passing range and vision; two-time Champions League winner.
“A short-sighted, single-touch midfielder whose passing range was unmatched in his generation.”
A snarling, relentless ball-winner nicknamed 'Ringhio' (Growl), Gattuso was the combative heartbeat of AC Milan's midfield through two Champions League triumphs.
“An abrasive, high-energy defensive midfielder whose non-stop tackling and pressing shielded his more gifted teammates.”
Head-to-head stats
Career goals by season
Representative career seasons — goals per season for each player across their documented clubs.
Attribute radar
Attribute ratings are peak-era, 0–100. Different positions naturally skew the profile.
Attribute comparison
Trophy breakdown
- 2× UEFA Champions League (1999, 2008)
- 11× Premier League
- 3× FA Cup (1996, 1999, 2004)
- 1× FIFA Club World Cup (2008)
- 1× FIFA World Cup (2006)
- 2× UEFA Champions League (2003, 2007)
- 2× Serie A (2004, 2011)
Trophy distribution
Career milestones
- 1994 Manchester United debut
- 1996 First Premier League title
- 1999 Treble winner with Manchester United
- 2003 Briefly retired from England duty
- 2008 Second Champions League winner
- 2011 Came out of retirement to help Manchester United
- 2013 Retired for good at Manchester United
- 1995 Professional debut for Perugia
- 2006 Won FIFA World Cup with AC Milan
- 2004 Won Serie A with AC Milan
- 2007 Reached the peak of his powers at AC Milan
- 2013 Retired after a final spell at Sion
- Finished his career with 25 goals in 550 appearances and 5 major honours. Finished his career with 25 goals in 550 appearances and 5 major honours.
The verdict
On balance Paul Scholes edges the comparison. The margin is a decisive margin, decided mostly by a sharper goalscoring record.
Paul Scholes edges it (a decisive margin)
