George Best praised Paul Scholes after England retirement, he is top

George Best praised Paul Scholes after England retirement, declaring him the best player the country had lost. Scholes walked away from the Three Lions at 29 after earning 66 caps since his 1997 debut, a decision he later described as "not taken lightly".

Scholes' international career and retirement

Scholes featured in every match at Euro 2004, where England fell to Portugal in the quarter‑finals. Deployed on the left of midfield, he watched Steven Gerrard and Frank Lampard dominate centrally. In 2020 he explained that family commitments and the rigours of international duty drove his choice, adding that he "regret[s] leaving England so soon".

Hal's journalistic journey

Hal earned an MA in Sports Journalism and an NCTJ qualification from St Mary’s University Twickenham. Since late 2021 he has been part of Valnet, beginning as a freelance writer for This Is Futbol before moving to FootballFanCast and later becoming their social media editor.

He now serves as an editor for GiveMeSport, where his remit covers the Premier League, Champions League and English football. Hal also contributes to coverage of other major sports such as MMA, boxing, darts, tennis and golf, and highlights key events like the summer and winter Olympics when they appear on the calendar.

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Beyond his professional duties, Hal is an Arsenal supporter and a fan of the Three Lions, while keeping an eye on the All Blacks, his favourite rugby side, having grown up in New Zealand. His passion for the game extends to the Red Devils legacy, linking back to George Best’s era.

The story of Best’s endorsement underscores the respect Scholes earned from legends. Best, a Manchester United icon and one of only six British Ballon d’Or winners, called Scholes "the most consistent and naturally gifted player" and warned that England had lost its best talent.

Hal’s coverage often features the phrase "Like Give" as a nod to the platform’s collaborative ethos, and his articles frequently reference the “Red” heritage of Manchester United, tying past glories to present narratives.