Scholes Crowns PSG as World's Elite amid Liverpool Champions League Showdown

Paul Scholes has cast his vote for football's current heavyweight champions, naming Paris Saint-Germain as the "best team in the world right now" as the Champions League quarter-finals reach their decisive phase.

The former Manchester United schemer's assessment comes with Liverpool preparing to travel to the Parc des Princes on Wednesday evening for the opening leg of their last-eight tie. Bayern Munich, Barcelona, Real Madrid, and Arsenal have all featured in quarter-final action this week, but Scholes remains convinced of PSG's superiority.

Speaking on The Good, The Bad & The Football podcast, the legendary midfielder acknowledged Liverpool's capacity for European magic whilst maintaining his faith in the French giants' credentials. "It wouldn't be the biggest shock," Scholes mused. "PSG are unbelievable and I still expect them to go through but it wouldn't shock me. It could happen but I can't see it right now."

However, Scholes' primary concern centres on the ramifications for Slot should the Merseysiders suffer a chastening defeat. Having already endured a 4-0 humbling in the FA Cup against Manchester City, the Liverpool manager finds himself under considerable scrutiny. "Arne Slot knows he's in trouble," Scholes observed, suggesting that an ignominious European exit could trigger boardroom action. "If they go out badly to PSG – and that tie could get messy – then that might be the end of it."

The pundit pressed his point further, questioning the wisdom of retaining Slot through to season's end should Champions League elimination materialise. "Why bother keeping him until the end of the season if you go out of the Champions League? There will be questions if they go out against PSG, especially if it gets messy," he added.

Meanwhile, Real Madrid's recent stumble has shifted the conversation around world football's elite. Los Blancos suffered a 2-1 defeat to Bayern Munich on Tuesday, a result that undermines their standing as the competition's traditional powerbrokers. Manager Alvaro Arbeloa had previously insisted his squad possesses "the best players in the world" and must now demonstrate they can function as the best collective unit.

"To win in football, you have to get a lot of things right in every phase of the game," Arbeloa reflected. "To be a great team, you have to be very well-drilled and have that collective mindset. Perhaps that's what I'm emphasising most to the players."

The Spanish coach emphasised the necessity of subordinating individual brilliance to team cohesion. "We have the best players, but we must also be the best team in the world. We have to put our talent at the service of the team," Arbeloa stated.

With Bayern performing at exceptional levels and their Bernabéu showdown looming, Real Madrid face a stern examination. "Our history with Bayern is always special," Arbeloa concluded. "The Bernabéu is set for another great Champions League night."