Modric is closer to Scholes than Scholes is to Xavi.
What the . . . a player who's been, agreed, pretty darn good for an amazing real side for all of two years, compared to one of the best midfielders of all time, a mainstay in the most successful domestic English club side and arguably in Europe as well. Scholes was so clearly a different class to the likes of Modric, Gerrard, Lampard, Alonso, etc. that it's hilarious comparing them to me.
All amazing players in their own rights, sure. Great goalscorers, playmakers - but the thing about Scholes is, he could do it all. Started as a second striker, went into midfield next to Keano, then was a second striker again and had a phenomenal season behind Ruud, went back in a midfield two, slowly transitioned into the best deep-lying playmaker the English game has ever seen. Retired, came back, nearly won us the league, while still being our best midfielder (and probably the best midfielder in England) at the age of 38.
Sure, Xavi maybe was a better short passer. Maybe even a better playmaker (not a lot in it though). Sure, Gerrard and Lampard were better goalscoarers. Modric is a better dribbler. Pirlo was a genius at set pieces. But none of them could do everything like Scholes could. And not one of them played the majority of their career and had their greatest success in a midfield two, in a league and team that has always seen the midfield as a transitional area of the pitch, its only job to deliver the ball to the forwards. Xavi played in a dominating Barca side, built up from the ground to suit his style. Him and Pirlo, while certainly no slouches themselves, had two other midfielders running around and providing cover. Sure, Scholes had Keane, but it was still a midfield two and Scholes, along with scoring and directing our play, also had a fair bit of defending to do. His tackles wouldn't have become a meme, had it not been the case.
Every one of these midfielders was/is better than Scholes at something. None of them are as good as him at everything else. That's what makes him the best midfielder to me.