Andres Iniesta received a heartfelt gesture from Paul Scholes in the form of a personalized shirt, prompting Iniesta to express his gratitude in a special message.
Both Iniesta and Scholes have long held mutual admiration for each other’s talents. Scholes, in particular, once hailed Iniesta as the best opponent he ever faced, reflecting on their memorable encounter during the 2011 Champions League final.
Recalling the exchange of shirts after that final, Scholes shared his respect for Iniesta, stating, “I still have Iniesta’s shirt… He asked me to swap at the end of the game.” Despite not being one to collect memorabilia, Scholes treasured Iniesta’s shirt as a symbol of their on-field battle.
In turn, ahead of the same final, Iniesta lauded Scholes and Ryan Giggs as “living legends,” emphasizing their remarkable careers and exemplary professionalism. He regarded them as role models for aspiring footballers.
More than a decade later, Iniesta remains an ardent admirer of Scholes. Recently, he was delighted to receive a signed Scholes shirt bearing a personalized message, expressing his appreciation on Instagram.
In response, Scholes humorously remarked on the significance of his shirt being near Iniesta, highlighting the mutual respect shared between the two footballing icons.
Reflecting on his illustrious career, Scholes expressed his admiration for players like Iniesta and Zinedine Zidane, acknowledging their extraordinary talents and envisioning the privilege of playing alongside them in a fantasy scenario. Despite never linking up with them on the field, Scholes cherished the remarkable teammates he had throughout his career at Manchester United.
