Manchester United legend Paul Scholes has named his five most difficult opponents - and all spent time with Barcelona or Real Madrid.
The former midfielder, a two-time winner of the Champions League, listed out his toughest challenges in an episode of The Overlap Fan Debate.
Scholes said: “[Lionel] Messi...Xavi, [Andres] Iniesta there's two [sic] straight away. [Zinedine] Zidane...I love R9 [Ronaldo], I know he's a centre-forward. They don't need a keeper with that five do they?”
He had initially named a host of players before being pushed by co-host Jamie Carragher to narrow down his selection. “I played some incredible teams – that great Barcelona team, the Real Madrid team when it was the proper Galacticos, Juventus.
“I'll go for Messi, Xavi, Iniesta, [Clarence] Seedorf, I'm trying to think of midfield players and that Real Madrid team was incredible – Redondo, Ronaldo, [Luis] Figo Zidane and Raul.
“When we were trying to win Champions Leagues, those teams were ridiculous. It's the same with England, the teams we had to come up against like France and Spain.”
Scholes went on to shower Barcelona’s midfield trio of Xavi, Iniesta and Sergio Busquets as the most dominant unit he had taken on, describing Pep Guardiola ’s central hub as better than Real Madrid's trio of Luka Modric, Toni Kroos and Casemiro.
“They never gave you time to tackle them,” he said. “They know where everyone is on the pitch and they know where the opposition are so you think you can get to them but before you know it it's gone. All of a sudden you're just running around in circles.
“I think Xavi and Iniesta were different players. Xavi was amazing at controlling a game, along with Busquets. He probably doesn't get the credit he deserves because the three of them were sensational.
“Iniesta was a little bit different because he could go past people. That Barcelona one is better than [Real Madrid's trio].'
AFeraVOm8510
0
We have to understand he went up against the Barcelona trio so he knows exactly what he’s talking about the Madrid trio came long after Paul retired so if you look at it from his playing time then you wouldn’t understand
duabnsty
1
still, that one of Luka, Toni, and casemiro has more champion league than them. who cares
That Barca Trio hold the record of Euro, World cup and Euro, not even to mention that they still hold the record of winning six trophies in a calendar year...
Zezesol400
1
still, that one of Luka, Toni, and casemiro has more champion league than them. who cares
That midfield trio won a worlcup in south Africa man,doz guys wa gifted by God,
Ziuckostz
0
out of point,in Messi,xavi,inesta,busquet era, how many champions league did Madrid won when they were playing together,
yebcprsu
1
still, that one of Luka, Toni, and casemiro has more champion league than them. who cares
Same Barcelona trio of then won 2010 world cup, so which is a better honour? champions league or world cup?
bedabrst
2
Yet trio won a world cup in 2010
Canbcekrsz
1
still, that one of Luka, Toni, and casemiro has more champion league than them. who cares
At least you should read and understand first before rushing to the comment section
Ayelkuungo
4
yet that Madrid trio has more success than the Barcelona trio in that same competition he is talking about
Pubcelnrt
4
still, that one of Luka, Toni, and casemiro has more champion league than them. who cares