Paul Scholes had to be seen to be believed.There are certain players in football where their statistics simply do a terrible job at articulating just how incredible they really were.For example, it might be tempting to pooh-pooh all the hype around Scholes' passing, creativity and playmaking when you discover that he 'only' boasts 55 assists in the Premier League.

The genius of Scholes

Throw in the fact that he only ever reached double figures for goals in the league during two seasons and statisticians might be tempted to opine that Scholes wasn't all he's cracked up to be.

However, you know that's not true and I know that's not true, because it's not for no reason that every football legend and their dog regularly tout Scholes as an icon of the modern game.

You know you're doing something right when Zinedine Zidane, Xavi and just about everyone ever associated with Manchester United is saying that you were a player of generational magnificence.

Even if it doesn't show up in the data, the simple fact of the matter is that Scholes had a certain je ne sais quoi in the way that he played the beautiful game that could never show up in the numbers.

Scholes vs Gerrard vs Lampard

And that's an incalculable factor that is so often forgotten when Scholes is inevitably compared to Steven Gerrard and Frank Lampard in what endures as one of football's biggest debates.

Three Premier League legends each flying the flag for United, Liverpool and Chelsea respectively makes for a fascinating back and forth in which Scholes can so often be given the short shrift.

Or at least, that certainly tends to be the case when attempts to settle the debate revolve around statistics with Lampard and Gerrard clearly looking better on a spreadsheet.

Football - Manchester United v FC Barcelona UEFA Champions League Semi Final Second Leg - Old Trafford, Manchester, England - 29/4/08

Manchester United's Paul Scholes celebrates after scoring his sides first goal

Mandatory Credit: Action Images / Michael Regan

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However, once you rewind and focus on that pure footballing essence - which is ultimately why we all love the sport, after all - then Scholes rightfully muscles his way back into the conversation.

Video shows Scholes is 'disrespected'

Which is where a stunning video first created by Twitter user @Hxnz99 comes in, because it's one of the finest distillations of what makes Scholes such a legendary player that we've ever seen.

Boasting a simple title of "Paul Scholes – Disrespected" that almost certainly pertains to his standing in the Gerrard and Lampard debate, it makes for a riveting two-and-a-half-minute watch.

So, strap yourselves in for stunning goals, genius passes and praise from footballing greats as you recall the majesty of Scholes by watching the full montage down below:

Holy moly.

Opinions of Scholes speak volumes

It's one of those 'the next generation will never understand' moments because it takes for people who never saw Scholes to play videos like that in order to fully understand what made him great.

And as much as we understandably place so much emphasis on statistics in the modern game, it feels hard to argue that numbers should outweigh the opinions of those who shared a dressing room or pitch with the players they're been used to assess.

The simple fact of the matter is that Scholes' total of Premier League assists means absolutely nothing in the face of praise from people who have gotten their hands on the Ballon d'Or.

Football - Manchester United v Wigan Athletic - Barclays Premier League - Old Trafford - 15/9/12

Paul Scholes celebrates scoring the first goal for Manchester United

Mandatory Credit: Action Images / Jason Cairnduff

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How apt that greatness in the beautiful game is best judged by the beauty in someone's game?