In a heartfelt social media post, Alicia Scholes has paid tribute to her father, former Manchester United and England star Paul Scholes, following his emotional podcast appearance.
The 24-year-old netball player and England international shared her admiration after Paul opened up about the challenges of raising their non-verbal autistic son, Aiden, Alicia’s younger brother.
Paul Scholes Opens Up About Family Life
During a recent episode of Stick to Football, Paul, 50, spoke candidly about the difficulties of raising a neuro-diverse child while juggling a high-profile football career.
He reflected on the constant concern for Aiden’s future and the delicate balance of maintaining a stable routine for his son.
The response from listeners, particularly parents in similar situations, deeply moved him.
Alicia’s Heartfelt Instagram Message
Alicia took to Instagram to express her love and pride for her father. She wrote:
“God knows how hard that episode must’ve been!!!!! We love you so much.”
She continued, highlighting her father’s dedication:
“I’ve never known anyone hate talking about themself more than you and can only imagine how hard it was speaking about Aidie and the reality of a very, very hard situation.
My whole life your priority has always been being my dad…so present in every aspect of my life!”
Alicia also praised Paul’s sacrifices during his illustrious football career, marveling at how he managed to achieve so much while still being a hands-on father.
Life in the Public Eye
Alicia, who is dating Love Island Series 11 star Ayo Odukoya, regularly shares glimpses of her life on Instagram to her 100,000+ followers.
She opened up about the pressures of growing up with a famous father and the scrutiny that comes with it.
“I never knew that having your name would be the heaviest weight I’d have to carry…every success or achievement getting compared to a standard impossible to meet,” she said, reflecting on the challenges of living in the public eye.
Praising Paul’s Character
Alicia emphasized the qualities she admires most in her father, from his humility to his kindness:
“You’re a normal person, so unbothered by outside noise, so unfazed by the media…People naturally dislike you if you’re different…you have shown me I can truly not care what anyone thinks.”
She concluded by calling Paul the best role model and father figure, expressing how proud she is to be his daughter.
Parenting Aiden Together
Paul confirmed that he and his wife Claire Froggatt, from whom he has now separated, share caring responsibilities equally for Aiden.
They each have him for three nights a week, ensuring his days remain predictable.
“We always do the same things with him as he doesn’t know what day of the week it is or time.
But he’ll know from what we’re doing what day it is,” Paul explained.
He admitted that while the early years after Aiden’s autism diagnosis were challenging, he now finds immense joy in seeing his son happy.
New Ventures in Broadcasting
Since stepping back from regular punditry, Scholes has launched a podcast alongside former teammate Nicky Butt, titled The Good, The Bad & The Football, allowing him to continue sharing his insights on the game while prioritizing his family.