Paul Scholes vs Miroslav Klose: Stats Compared
Central Midfielder, England (born 1974, retired 2013) · Striker, Germany (born 1978, retired 2016)
Paul Scholes and Miroslav Klose represent two answers to the same question: how do you define a great? Silverware is the currency of legacy, and both players filled cabinets that few can rival. On production alone, Paul Scholes posted 169 goals across 784 appearances while Miroslav Klose managed 318 across 705. Modern assist data only covers part of their careers, so creativity is hard to compare cleanly — Paul Scholes is listed at 75 and Miroslav Klose at 0 where figures survive. The honours ledger favours Paul Scholes with 17 major trophies (2× UEFA Champions League (1999, 2008)) against Miroslav Klose's 7 (1× FIFA World Cup (2014)). One lifted trophies through incisive reliability, the other through mercurial moments that decided finals. Context beyond the headline totals is important: Paul Scholes's landmark level arrived around 2008 with a career spanning Manchester United; Miroslav Klose's came around 2014 across Kaiserslautern, Werder Bremen, Bayern Munich, Lazio. Each, in his own way, set a standard the other is measured against.
166 words · comparison angle: trophies
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.”
All-time FIFA World Cup top scorer with 16 goals; Germany's all-time leading goalscorer with 71 international goals.
“A selfless striker and aerial specialist whose consistency made him a World Cup great.”
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 (2014)
- 2× Bundesliga (2008, 2010)
- 3× DFB-Pokal (2005, 2008, 2010)
- 1× Coppa Italia (2013)
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
- 2000 Kaiserslautern debut
- 2002 World Cup debut, scored five headed goals
- 2007 Joined Bayern Munich
- 2011 Joined Lazio, won over fans with relentless work rate
- 2014 World Cup winner, became the all-time World Cup top scorer (16 goals)
- 2016 Retired at Lazio
The verdict
The numbers give Paul Scholes the lead — a decisive margin, courtesy of a weightier trophy cabinet.
Paul Scholes edges it (a decisive margin)
