Not in the slightest.
Gerrard hasn't been world class? He's probably one of the two greatest players ever to play for our club. His form from 2003-2009 would have seen any side in the world bite your hand off for him. Unless you only consider Messi and Ronaldo world class (which you clearly don't) then Gerrard certainly was and was one of the best two or three players in Europe.
Are you seriously saying that Steven Gerrard was as good as the likes of Ronaldo & Messi? Your statement simply reinforce me saying that scousers way overrate their players.
Again, I think the CAF had lots of argument before of what constitutes "World Class". Some would say that World Class = players that would make the world First XI, some have lower standards that World Class = top 3 players in their respective position.
For the sake of this argument, I'll take the "top 3 players in their respective position".
The best years of Stevie Me's career is during
05/06 to 10/11 season, so I would also take players around this time.
His best years coincide with the fading of 2 of the best MF of the generation, Zidane and Roy Keane, so these 2 players are not in consideration.
Players that I would take in MF over Stevie Me:
1. Ronaldinho
2. Xavi
2. Iniesta
3. Scholes
4. Fabregas
5. Ballack
Is Stevie Me near this of players? Yes. There's a lot to like about him as a player. But like I said in my post, what he lacks is the football intelligence that separates world class players from "nearly world class" players like him.