When it comes to naturally gifted footballers, Manchester United and Northern Ireland icon George Best has a strong case to be among the greatest the sport has seen. His peers considered him among the finest players on the planet during the height of his career, with an array of trophies and personal accolades to back up that claim.
The Red Devils have had some of the most naturally talented footballers of all time on their books in the past. From five-time Ballon d'Or winner Cristiano Ronaldo to England's World Cup-winning hero Sir Bobby Charlton, the Premier League outfit have a history of incredibly gifted individuals.
However, Best felt the club had unearthed its 'most consistent and naturally gifted player' they'd had in many years during the height of Sir Alex Ferguson's Old Trafford reign. Speaking after England's disappointing exit from Euro 2004, the Irishman was full of praise for midfield maestro Paul Scholes.
George Best on 'England's Best Player' Who Retired at 29
George Best at Manchester United
That international tournament in Portugal was the final straw for Scholes in terms of his Three Lions career. The English midfielder has gone on record to explain how he didn't enjoy international football, and he officially retired from it in 2004, aged just 29.
That decision undoubtedly added years to his club career, but it was equally a huge blow for the country. Best shared his thoughts on Scholes' decision to call time on his England career, as he claimed the world-class passer was the nation's best player and Man United's 'most naturally gifted' in a long time. He said (per MEN):
"To be honest, I think England have lost their best player. Certainly, he's the most consistent and naturally gifted player we've had for a long, long time.
"He will leave a void that's difficult to fill."
That's some compliment when considering the level of talent the man dishing it out had. Scholes was always pivotal to United's success through the late 1990s, the entirety of the 2000s and even the start of the 2010s. The longevity of the 11-time Premier League champion was almost unmatched.
Best continued to lavish praise on the engine room general. Speaking about how highly everyone connected with the English giants thought of Scholes' ability, he added:
"When you speak to people connected with Old Trafford, they think the world of this lad. They think of him as the best natural finisher at the club and when you think about the players they've got there it speaks volumes for the player.
"It's a big loss for England and a big gain for Manchester United. Being a Manchester United supporter and being Irish, I'm quite happy!"