Paul Scholes vs Rafael van der Vaart: Stats Compared
Central Midfielder, England (born 1974, retired 2013) · Attacking Midfielder, Netherlands (born 1983, retired 2018)
Set Paul Scholes alongside Rafael van der Vaart 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. The raw numbers read 169 goals in 784 outings for Paul Scholes (0.22/game), versus 180 in 600 for Rafael van der Vaart (0.30/game). In chance creation, Paul Scholes tallied 75 assists to Rafael van der Vaart's 100. Paul Scholes departs the game with 17 major pieces of silverware, including 2× UEFA Champions League (1999, 2008); Rafael van der Vaart with 2, including 1× Eredivisie (2002). History will file Paul Scholes under dictatorial greatness and Rafael van der Vaart under intelligent greatness — different shelves, same temple. The wider career context matters too: Paul Scholes peaked around 2008 after representing Manchester United, while Rafael van der Vaart's defining level came around 2010 across Ajax, Hamburger SV, Real Madrid, Tottenham Hotspur, Hamburger SV, Real Betis, FC Midtjylland. Few pairings invite such entrenched disagreement, and fewer still deserve it this much.
174 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.”
A creative, elegant Dutch playmaker known for spectacular long-range volleys, Van der Vaart shone at Ajax, Real Madrid and Tottenham before a stellar return to Hamburg.
“A gifted attacking midfielder with a knack for scoring outrageous long-range strikes and threading incisive final passes.”
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× Eredivisie (2002)
- 1× KNVB Cup (2002)
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 Ajax
- 2002 Won Eredivisie with Ajax
- 2002 Won KNVB Cup with Ajax
- 2010 Reached the peak of his powers at Real Madrid
- 2018 Retired after a final spell at FC Midtjylland
- Finished his career with 180 goals in 600 appearances and 2 major honours. Finished his career with 180 goals in 600 appearances and 2 major honours.
The verdict
On balance Paul Scholes edges the comparison. The margin is a decisive margin, decided mostly by a weightier trophy cabinet.
Paul Scholes edges it (a decisive margin)
