**Paul Scholes Reflects on Personal Struggles Behind the Football Glory**
Paul Scholes, the revered Manchester United legend, is set to make a return to the football limelight tonight as a pundit for TNT Sports in Bilbao, where his former club faces Tottenham Hotspur in the Europa League final. While countless fans admire his historic exploits on the pitch, Scholes recently gave a heartfelt glimpse into the challenges he faces away from football, exposing a private struggle that starkly contrasts his public triumphs.
Now 50, Scholes has enjoyed a career most professionals can only dream of. Over more than a decade with Manchester United, he collected an array of silverware, including two Champions League medals, 11 Premier League titles, three FA Cups, and two League Cups. After donning the England shirt 66 times, Scholes retired in 2013, leaving behind a legacy defined by skill, resilience, and a deep understanding of the game.
Yet, away from the sporting spotlight, Scholes has faced a very different kind of test: being a father to a son with severe special needs. He and his wife Claire, who have been married for 26 years, are parents to three children: Arron, 25; Alicia, 23; and Aiden, 20. Aiden, the youngest, was diagnosed with autism and is non-verbal, a reality which Scholes says brings daily heartbreak.
In a recent episode of “The Overlap”, Scholes was asked what had most impacted his life, a question he found too raw to answer in a group setting. Clarifying his feelings on Instagram afterwards, the former midfielder revealed: “Without question, having a boy with severe special needs, wishing he was normal every single day and then realising how lucky I am when I see another family that are worse off than we are.” He added, “The impact it has on his brother and sister kills me every single day. No way I could say that in front of people, or on telly.”
Scholes’ candour comes after previous admissions about how Aiden’s diagnosis affected both his mindset and his performances as a player. Recalling the period following Aiden’s diagnosis, he shared, “For those first few years of being diagnosed, you think he’s just delayed, eventually he’ll start talking. When you get to 12, 13, 14… now he’s 16 it’s never going to happen. He’s never going to be neurotypical, but he’s great and you have to accept it.”
He went on to acknowledge the emotional toll such realities brought, confiding, “I’ve never said this before. I’m looking at him thinking he might have to go into care. I just don’t know how you handle that.” Scholes also recalled a particularly vivid struggle: “We got the diagnosis. We were playing Derby away. I was terrible, absolutely shocking. I didn’t want to be there. Head was gone, worrying about autism, reading, trying to find out anything I could.”
While the focus on family hardships forms a major part of Scholes’ story, it is not the only chapter. His children, Arron and Alicia, have become successful in their own right, opening Scholes Gym – a sports and fitness hub in Oldham. Both work as personal trainers and coaches at the facility, while Alicia has also established herself as a netball player for the London Pulse in the Netball Superleague, balancing her competitive commitments with coaching duties.
Alicia’s life briefly intersected with another rising sports star. She previously dated Welsh rugby international Louis Rees-Zammit, now an NFL hopeful. Scholes, never missing an opportunity for banter, once jokingly urged Rees-Zammit to represent England. The suggestion was quickly rebuffed by the Welshman, who replied “Wales*,” a light-hearted exchange later discussed by Rees-Zammit in a BBC interview.
Ultimately, Paul Scholes’ willingness to share his family’s battles brings his achievements as a footballer into even sharper relief. While supporters will tonight recall his dynamic displays for Manchester United, his honest reflections away from the field reveal a different kind of endurance and courage. As he offers his expert insights from the commentary box, Scholes is also living proof that the most demanding challenges are sometimes faced far from the adulation of the terraces.