Paul Scholes vs Bixente Lizarazu: Stats Compared
Central Midfielder, England (born 1974, retired 2013) · Left-Back, France (born 1969, retired 2006)
Paul Scholes and Bixente Lizarazu 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. By the end Paul Scholes had 169 goals from 784 caps and club outings; Bixente Lizarazu had 15 from 600. Add playmaking to the mix and Paul Scholes laid on 75 goals, Bixente Lizarazu 30. Trophy counts give Paul Scholes 17 and Bixente Lizarazu 7, with 2× UEFA Champions League (1999, 2008) and 1× FIFA World Cup (1998) the standout honours respectively. Paul Scholes built his medal haul through years of orchestrating consistency, while Bixente Lizarazu won his with elegant bursts of brilliance. Club journeys add another layer, with Paul Scholes reaching his representative peak around 2008 across Manchester United and Bixente Lizarazu doing so around 2001 with Bordeaux, Athletic Bilbao, Bayern Munich, Marseille. Arguments will run and run, which is exactly why the matchup endures.
159 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.”
A world judo champion off the pitch, Lizarazu was one of the finest left-backs of his generation, winning the World Cup, European Championship and Champions League with Bayern Munich.
“A compact, combative full-back whose low centre of gravity and stamina let him bomb up and down the flank all match.”
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 (1998)
- 1× UEFA European Championship (2000)
- 4× Bundesliga (1999, 2000, 2001, 2003)
- 1× UEFA Champions League (2001)
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
- 1988 Professional debut for Bordeaux
- 1998 Won FIFA World Cup with Bayern Munich
- 2001 Won UEFA Champions League with Bayern Munich
- 2001 Reached the peak of his powers at Bayern Munich
- 2006 Retired after a final spell at Marseille
- Finished his career with 15 goals in 600 appearances and 7 major honours. Finished his career with 15 goals in 600 appearances and 7 major honours.
The verdict
The numbers give Paul Scholes the lead — a decisive margin, courtesy of a sharper goalscoring record.
Paul Scholes edges it (a decisive margin)
