--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I think about the great players with whom…" description: "\"I think about the great players with whom I have shared a pitch: Eric Cantona, Zinedine Zidane, Pirlo, Xavi, Cristiano Ronaldo - and the greatest of th..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5ac/paul-scholes-4301_cantona_i-think-about-the-great-players-with-who_2330059.jpg" --- # I think about the great players with whom I have shared a… ![“I think about the great players with whom I have shared a pitch: Eric Cantona, Zinedine Zidane, Pirlo, Xavi, Cristiano Ronaldo - and the greatest of them all is Messi.” quote by Paul Scholes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5ac/paul-scholes-4301_cantona_i-think-about-the-great-players-with-who_2330059.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5ac/paul-scholes-4301_cantona_i-think-about-the-great-players-with-who_2330059.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5ac/paul-scholes-4301_cantona_i-think-about-the-great-players-with-who_2330059.jpg) > “I think about the great players with whom I have shared a pitch: Eric Cantona, Zinedine Zidane, Pirlo, Xavi, Cristiano Ronaldo - and the greatest of them all is Messi.” [Paul Scholes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-scholes/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The speaker ranks Messi as the greatest footballer, placing him above other legends, reflecting deep respect for his skill. **In simple terms:** Messi is considered the best footballer ever. Key Takeaway Study Messi’s techniques for inspiration. Themes sports legacy excellence comparison inspiration Mood respectful enthusiastic analytical Type celebratory evaluative reflective When to use this quote - coaching clinics - player analysis - fan debates - sports documentaries - personal practice Key Concepts skill mastery team dynamics career longevity Questions to Reflect On - What makes a player truly timeless? - How do personal biases shape our rankings? A Different Perspective Greatness is subjective; different eras and styles affect judgments. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Cantona](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/cantona-27400/) [Cristiano ronaldo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/cristiano-ronaldo/) [Eric](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/eric/) [Eric Cantona](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/eric-cantona/) [Football](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/football/) [Great Players](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/great-players/) [Greatest Messi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/greatest-messi-5600987/) [Messi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/messi/) [Player](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/player/) [Players Shared](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/players-shared-3811789/) [Ronaldo Greatest](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ronaldo-greatest-1756866/) [Shared Pitch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/shared-pitch-5600988/) [Thinking](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thinking/) [Zidane](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/zidane/) ## Related quotes > [Eric Cantona is a great player, but he's not as good as Ryan Giggs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johan-cruijff/eric-cantona-is-a-great-player-but-he-s-not-as-good-as-ryan-giggs/) [Johan Cruijff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johan-cruijff/) > [He was a quiet man, Eric Cantona, but he was a man of few words.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-beckham/he-was-a-quiet-man-eric-cantona-but-he-was-a-man-of-few-words/) [David Beckham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-beckham/) > [There were players I shared a dressing room with who didn't like each other. You don't have to talk to each other. You just…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-scholes/there-were-players-i-shared-a-dressing-room-with-who-didn-t-like-each/) [Paul Scholes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-scholes/) > [Despite being the greatest, Messi is an ordinary guy. He speaks like a normal guy, he acts like a normal guy. As a normal…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gerardo-martino/despite-being-the-greatest-messi-is-an-ordinary-guy-he-speaks-like-a/) [Gerardo Martino](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gerardo-martino/) > [In my years at United, I witnessed some signings who, over their careers, transformed the fortunes of the team. From Eric Cantona, when I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-scholes/in-my-years-at-united-i-witnessed-some-signings-who-over-their/) [Paul Scholes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-scholes/) > ['Seba' Veron was one of the best players I shared a dressing room with. Not only was he technically gifted and could pass the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diego-forlan/seba-veron-was-one-of-the-best-players-i-shared-a-dressing-room-with/) [Diego Forlan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diego-forlan/) > [“The debate on who between Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo is the Greatest of All Time is done. I respect CR7 but Messi wins…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/don-santo/the-debate-on-who-between-lionel-messi-and-cristiano-ronaldo-is-the/) [DON SANTO](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/don-santo/) > [Cristiano Ronaldo is among the greatest in the world. His impact in the Saudi League has been enormous, attracting other top players to the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nacho/cristiano-ronaldo-is-among-the-greatest-in-the-world-his-impact-in/) [Nacho](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nacho/) > [“Eric likes to do what he likes, when he likes, because he likes it - and then fuck off. We'd all want a bit…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/howard-wilkinson/eric-likes-to-do-what-he-likes-when-he-likes-because-he-likes-it-and/) [Howard Wilkinson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/howard-wilkinson/) > [If ever there was one player, anywhere in the world, that was made for Manchester United, it was Cantona. He swaggered in, stuck his…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alex-ferguson/if-ever-there-was-one-player-anywhere-in-the-world-that-was-made-for/) [Alex Ferguson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alex-ferguson/) > [Cantona's expression speaking the whole French dictionary without saying a word.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barry-davies/cantona-s-expression-speaking-the-whole-french-dictionary-without/) [Barry Davies](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barry-davies/) > [Eric Cantona used to stare at the goalkeeper when taking penalties. He'd wait for his opponent's knee to give away in the direction he…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-sutton/eric-cantona-used-to-stare-at-the-goalkeeper-when-taking-penalties-he/) [Chris Sutton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-sutton/) > [Eric Cantona is a giggler.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ken-loach/eric-cantona-is-a-giggler/) [Ken Loach](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ken-loach/) > [The magistrate who originally sentenced Eric Cantona to prison said that millions of young people saw him as a role model and tried to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harry-enfield/the-magistrate-who-originally-sentenced-eric-cantona-to-prison-said/) [Harry Enfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harry-enfield/) > [When I was a kid and my dad was playing for Man United, I used to stand behind the goal watching Eric Cantona, David…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kasper-schmeichel/when-i-was-a-kid-and-my-dad-was-playing-for-man-united-i-used-to/) [Kasper Schmeichel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kasper-schmeichel/) ## More by Paul Scholes > [You knew where you stood with Sir Alex Ferguson.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-scholes/you-knew-where-you-stood-with-sir-alex-ferguson/) [Paul Scholes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-scholes/) > [United fans don't care if the team only has 40 per cent possession as long as they are watching an attacking team. My experience…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-scholes/united-fans-don-t-care-if-the-team-only-has-40-per-cent-possession-as/) [Paul Scholes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-scholes/) > [I am not a man of many words, but I can honestly say playing football is all I have ever wanted to do.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-scholes/i-am-not-a-man-of-many-words-but-i-can-honestly-say-playing-football/) [Paul Scholes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-scholes/) > [The game changes so quickly, and you have to get yourself in a position mentally where you can deal with whatever is thrown at…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-scholes/the-game-changes-so-quickly-and-you-have-to-get-yourself-in-a/) [Paul Scholes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-scholes/) > [When it came to playing Arsenal over the last eight years of my career at United, we always went into games against them feeling…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-scholes/when-it-came-to-playing-arsenal-over-the-last-eight-years-of-my/) [Paul Scholes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-scholes/) > [As a young footballer at United, Steve Bruce was one of the senior pros I really admired.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-scholes/as-a-young-footballer-at-united-steve-bruce-was-one-of-the-senior/) [Paul Scholes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-scholes/) > [People say that Rooney could have been like Lionel Messi, a more prolific goalscorer who dribbles past opponents more. But they are different characters.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-scholes/people-say-that-rooney-could-have-been-like-lionel-messi-a-more/) [Paul Scholes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-scholes/) > [When a team is relegated, a new leader can help turn the page at a club.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-scholes/when-a-team-is-relegated-a-new-leader-can-help-turn-the-page-at-a-club/) [Paul Scholes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-scholes/) > [At United, my United, we had been honed into a ruthless team who played great football but, ultimately, were there to win football matches…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-scholes/at-united-my-united-we-had-been-honed-into-a-ruthless-team-who-played/) [Paul Scholes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-scholes/) > [From United's point of view, it is always difficult to tell just when a young footballer is going to mature into a first-class professional…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-scholes/from-united-s-point-of-view-it-is-always-difficult-to-tell-just-when/) [Paul Scholes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-scholes/) > [My view is that you show Messi one side or the other, and if he goes past you, he goes past you. But if…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-scholes/my-view-is-that-you-show-messi-one-side-or-the-other-and-if-he-goes/) [Paul Scholes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-scholes/) > [I played for 20 years for Sir Alex Ferguson, and he could be a scary man.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-scholes/i-played-for-20-years-for-sir-alex-ferguson-and-he-could-be-a-scary/) [Paul Scholes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-scholes/) > [United's history was built on attacking football, which does not always mean that the team kept clean sheets or did not concede chances.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-scholes/united-s-history-was-built-on-attacking-football-which-does-not/) [Paul Scholes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-scholes/) > [Get up. Go to work. Play the game. Get showered. Go home.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-scholes/get-up-go-to-work-play-the-game-get-showered-go-home/) [Paul Scholes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-scholes/) > [It is very difficult for me to breathe when it's hot and humid.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-scholes/it-is-very-difficult-for-me-to-breathe-when-it-s-hot-and-humid/) [Paul Scholes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-scholes/) [Explore all 113 Paul Scholes quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-scholes/) ## More Cantona quotes > [“Eric likes to do what he likes, when he likes, because he likes it - and then fuck off. We'd all want a bit…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/howard-wilkinson/eric-likes-to-do-what-he-likes-when-he-likes-because-he-likes-it-and/) [Howard Wilkinson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/howard-wilkinson/) > [Cantona's expression speaking the whole French dictionary without saying a word.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barry-davies/cantona-s-expression-speaking-the-whole-french-dictionary-without/) [Barry Davies](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barry-davies/) > [He was a quiet man, Eric Cantona, but he was a man of few words.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-beckham/he-was-a-quiet-man-eric-cantona-but-he-was-a-man-of-few-words/) [David Beckham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-beckham/) > [If ever there was one player, anywhere in the world, that was made for Manchester United, it was Cantona. He swaggered in, stuck his…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alex-ferguson/if-ever-there-was-one-player-anywhere-in-the-world-that-was-made-for/) [Alex Ferguson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alex-ferguson/) > [Eric Cantona is a great player, but he's not as good as Ryan Giggs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johan-cruijff/eric-cantona-is-a-great-player-but-he-s-not-as-good-as-ryan-giggs/) [Johan Cruijff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johan-cruijff/) [Browse all 6 Cantona quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/cantona-27400/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "I think about the great players with whom I have shared a pitch: Eric Cantona, Zinedine Zidane, Pirlo, Xavi, Cristiano Ronaldo - and the greatest of them all is Messi.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Paul Scholes" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-scholes/i-think-about-the-great-players-with-whom-i-have-shared-a-pitch-eric/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Cantona" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-scholes/i-think-about-the-great-players-with-whom-i-have-shared-a-pitch-eric/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5ac/paul-scholes-4301_cantona_i-think-about-the-great-players-with-who_2330059.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5ac/paul-scholes-4301_cantona_i-think-about-the-great-players-with-who_2330059.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5ac/paul-scholes-4301_cantona_i-think-about-the-great-players-with-who_2330059.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“I think about the great players with whom I have shared a pitch: Eric Cantona, Zinedine Zidane, Pirlo, Xavi…” — Paul Scholes", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Paul Scholes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-scholes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "I think about the great players...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-scholes/i-think-about-the-great-players-with-whom-i-have-shared-a-pitch-eric/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-scholes/i-think-about-the-great-players-with-whom-i-have-shared-a-pitch-eric/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```