Paul Scholes' Ultimate XI featured Cristiano Ronaldo, but not Lionel Messi

Paul Scholes has been named in many footballers’ dream XIs over the years, but which players would get into his Ultimate XI?

The Manchester United legend is widely regarded as one of the most gifted English footballers of all time.

Winner of 11 Premier League titles, three FA Cups, two League Cups and two Champions Leagues, Scholes is also one of the most decorated footballers of his generation.

In 2017, Scholes was asked to name an XI comprised of his former teammates and opponents for Spanish newspaper Marca.

It wasn’t an easy task for Scholes, who admitted: “I didn’t want to leave anyone out.”

After all, the former England international played with and competed against a host world-class stars during his illustrious career.

Let’s take a closer look at Scholes’ Dream XI:

Goalkeeper: Peter Schmeichel

Roy Keane might think he’s overrated but Scholes certainly doesn’t share the same opinion about former Man Utd goalkeeper Peter Schmeichel.

Read more: Roy Keane burns Peter Schmeichel while answering Premier League question

Right-back: Gary Neville

Not only one Scholes’ closest friends in football and a fantastic pundit, Gary Neville was a brilliant right-back in his day.

Centre-back: Jaap Stam

Jaap Stam only spent a few three seasons at Old Trafford but Scholes and the rest of the Man Utd faithful remember the talismanic centre-back fondly.

Centre-back: Rio Ferdinand

A Rolls Royce of a defender, Rio Ferdinand got the nod in Scholes’ XI over Nemanja Vidic.

Left-back: Roberto Carlos

Arguably the greatest left-back of all time, Roberto Carlos made Scholes’ line-up ahead of players like Patrice Evra and Denis Irwin.

Right-wing: Zinedine Zidane

Named as one of the three greatest footballers of all time by Keane and Jamie