Paul Scholes Thanks Fans For Support After Emotional Revelation About Autistic Son Aiden

Manchester United legend Paul Scholes has received an overwhelming wave of support from fans after his deeply emotional revelation about caring for his autistic son, Aiden.

The former midfielder, known for his calm presence on and off the pitch, recently opened up on the Stick To Football podcast about why he quietly stepped away from TV punditry. The reason? To care for his son and maintain Aiden’s daily routine — something Scholes says is crucial for his well-being.

In his words, Aiden is “severely autistic” and non-verbal, meaning he can’t speak but understands more than people think. “He has sounds, but only people close to him will know what he’s saying,” Scholes said. “He’d bite or scratch sometimes, just out of frustration, because he couldn’t tell you how he was feeling.”

It’s a side of the football icon few knew. Scholes revealed that when he first received the diagnosis, he found it nearly impossible to focus on football. “We got the diagnosis before a match against Derby. I was terrible that day — my head was gone. Sir Alex Ferguson dropped me for the next game, and I hadn’t told anyone yet. It was just too hard to process.”

The revelation struck a chord with fans and parents across the world. On Instagram, Scholes thanked everyone for their kind messages, saying,

“The response from families (especially dads) shows how much speaking about it helps so many. One parent said, ‘My job is to stay alive for one day longer than my child.’ That one got me.”

True to his humble personality, Scholes ended his message on a light note — “Anyway, it’s the weekend, let’s have a few drinks and watch the football… Come on Salford.”

His story isn’t just touching — it’s a powerful reminder that even sporting legends face personal battles away from the spotlight.

At Sports Market International, we celebrate stories like these — ones that show the human side of sports, where courage, love, and family mean more than medals or goals.