Paul Scholes vs Ivan Rakitić: Stats Compared
Central Midfielder, England (born 1974, retired 2013) · Central Midfielder, Croatia (born 1988, retired 2023)
Put Paul Scholes and Ivan Rakitić side by side and you have a genuine generational conversation. Position shapes everything in football, and these two fulfilled very different briefs. On production alone, Paul Scholes posted 169 goals across 784 appearances while Ivan Rakitić managed 90 across 700. Creativity tells a story too: 75 assists for Paul Scholes against 90 for Ivan Rakitić. Paul Scholes departs the game with 17 major pieces of silverware, including 2× UEFA Champions League (1999, 2008); Ivan Rakitić with 6, including 1× UEFA Champions League (2015). The central midfielder duties of Paul Scholes leaned creative; the central midfielder responsibilities of Ivan Rakitić leaned creative. The wider career context matters too: Paul Scholes peaked around 2008 after representing Manchester United, while Ivan Rakitić's defining level came around 2015 across Basel, Schalke 04, Sevilla, Barcelona, Sevilla, Hajduk Split. Rank them how you like — both names are carved into the sport's permanent record.
154 words · comparison angle: role
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 key architect of Barcelona's 2015 treble and Croatia's run to the 2018 World Cup final, Rakitić combined tireless work rate with excellent passing range.
“A tireless, technically composed box-to-box midfielder whose range of passing linked defence and attack seamlessly.”
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× UEFA Champions League (2015)
- 1× UEFA Europa League (2014)
- 4× La Liga (2015, 2016, 2018, 2019)
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
- 2005 Professional debut for Basel
- 2015 Won UEFA Champions League with Barcelona
- 2015 Won La Liga with Barcelona
- 2015 Reached the peak of his powers at Barcelona
- 2023 Retired after a final spell at Hajduk Split
- Finished his career with 90 goals in 700 appearances and 6 major honours. Finished his career with 90 goals in 700 appearances and 6 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)
