Paul Scholes vs Diego Forlán: Stats Compared
Central Midfielder, England (born 1974, retired 2013) · Striker, Uruguay (born 1979, retired 2019)
Set Paul Scholes alongside Diego Forlán and the numbers start an argument of their own. Greatness, in the end, is about who you inspired, and both left a footprint far beyond their own careers. Paul Scholes finishes with 169 career goals from 784 games — a 0.22 strike rate — against Diego Forlán's 315 from 650 at 0.48 per match. The assist columns read 75 for Paul Scholes and 90 for Diego Forlán where the record exists. In major honours Paul Scholes collected 17 — headlined by 2× UEFA Champions League (1999, 2008) — whereas Diego Forlán amassed 3, led by 2× UEFA Europa League (2010, 2012). History will file Paul Scholes under creative greatness and Diego Forlán under flair-driven greatness — different shelves, same temple. Club journeys add another layer, with Paul Scholes reaching his representative peak around 2008 across Manchester United and Diego Forlán doing so around 2010 with Independiente, Manchester United, Villarreal, Atlético Madrid, Inter Milan, Internacional, Cerezo Osaka, Peñarol. Picking between them says as much about the picker as the players.
175 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.”
Winner of the Golden Ball as the standout player of the 2010 World Cup, Forlán was a prolific, two-footed striker who twice won the European Golden Shoe.
“A tireless, two-footed striker whose work rate and clean striking technique made him a nightmare for defenders in behind.”
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)
- 2× UEFA Europa League (2010, 2012)
- 1× UEFA Super Cup (2010)
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
- 2001 Professional debut for Independiente
- 2010 Won UEFA Europa League with Atlético Madrid
- 2010 Won UEFA Super Cup with Atlético Madrid
- 2010 Reached the peak of his powers at Atlético Madrid
- 2019 Retired after a final spell at Peñarol
- Finished his career with 315 goals in 650 appearances and 3 major honours. Finished his career with 315 goals in 650 appearances and 3 major honours.
The verdict
Weighing production against honours, Paul Scholes takes the verdict — a decisive margin, driven by a weightier trophy cabinet.
Paul Scholes edges it (a decisive margin)
