Paul Scholes vs Park Ji-sung: Stats Compared
Central Midfielder, England (born 1974, retired 2013) · Midfielder, South Korea (born 1981, retired 2014)
Put Paul Scholes and Park Ji-sung side by side and you have a genuine generational conversation. Greatness, in the end, is about who you inspired, and both left a footprint far beyond their own careers. By the end Paul Scholes had 169 goals from 784 caps and club outings; Park Ji-sung had 60 from 550. Add playmaking to the mix and Paul Scholes laid on 75 goals, Park Ji-sung 60. In major honours Paul Scholes collected 17 — headlined by 2× UEFA Champions League (1999, 2008) — whereas Park Ji-sung amassed 5, led by 4× Premier League (2007, 2008, 2009, 2011). History will file Paul Scholes under incisive greatness and Park Ji-sung under silky greatness — different shelves, same temple. Context beyond the headline totals is important: Paul Scholes's landmark level arrived around 2008 with a career spanning Manchester United; Park Ji-sung's came around 2008 across Kyoto Purple Sanga, PSV Eindhoven, Manchester United, Queens Park Rangers. Few pairings invite such entrenched disagreement, and fewer still deserve it this much.
169 words · comparison angle: legacy
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.”
The first Asian player to win the Champions League and reach a World Cup semi-final, Park was renowned for his tireless work rate and big-game performances for Manchester United.
“A relentless, selfless box-to-box midfielder whose stamina and tactical discipline made him invaluable in the biggest matches.”
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)
- 4× Premier League (2007, 2008, 2009, 2011)
- 1× UEFA Champions League (2008)
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 Professional debut for Kyoto Purple Sanga
- 2007 Won Premier League with Manchester United
- 2008 Won UEFA Champions League with Manchester United
- 2008 Reached the peak of his powers at Manchester United
- 2014 Retired after a final spell at Queens Park Rangers
- Finished his career with 60 goals in 550 appearances and 5 major honours. Finished his career with 60 goals in 550 appearances and 5 major honours.
The verdict
Taking goals, assists, silverware and overall profile together, Paul Scholes takes it by a decisive margin.
Paul Scholes edges it (a decisive margin)
