Sporting icons : Paul Gascoigne- career & video of this talented English footballer

 

Paul Gascoigne, commonly known as "Gazza," was born on May 27, 1967, in Dunston, Gateshead, England. He is considered one of the most talented English footballers of his generation. Here are the detailed highlights of his career:

 Early Career

- **Youth Clubs:** Gascoigne began his football journey with local clubs Redheugh Boys Club and later Dunston UTS before joining Newcastle United's youth academy.

- **Newcastle United:** Made his senior debut for Newcastle United in 1985 and quickly became known for his exceptional skill and creativity as a midfielder.

 Club Career

#### Newcastle United (1985-1988)

- **Breakthrough:** Gazza's performances at Newcastle earned him a reputation as one of the most promising young talents in English football.

#### Tottenham Hotspur (1988-1992)

- **Transfer:** Moved to Tottenham Hotspur in 1988 for a then British record fee of £2.2 million.

- **FA Cup Triumph:** Key player in Tottenham's 1990-91 FA Cup-winning team, despite suffering a severe knee injury in the final.

#### Lazio (1992-1995)

- **Italy Move:** Transferred to Lazio in 1992, where he spent three seasons. Although his time was marred by injuries, he remained a fan favorite for his flair and personality.

#### Rangers (1995-1998)

- **Success in Scotland:** Joined Rangers in 1995 and enjoyed a successful spell, winning two Scottish Premier Division titles, a Scottish Cup, and a Scottish League Cup.

- **PFA Scotland Players' Player of the Year:** Won this accolade in the 1995-96 season.

 Later Career

- **Middlesbrough (1998-2000):** Continued his career in England with Middlesbrough, helping them secure promotion to the Premier League.

- **Everton (2000-2002):** Played for Everton, though his time was again affected by injuries and off-field issues.

- **Brief Stints:** Had short spells with Burnley, Gansu Tianma (China), and Boston United before retiring.

 International Career

- **England Debut:** Made his debut for the England national team in 1988.

- **1990 World Cup:** Gained international fame at the 1990 FIFA World Cup, where he was instrumental in England reaching the semi-finals. His tears after receiving a yellow card that would have ruled him out of the final became iconic.

- **Euro 1996:** Starred for England in UEFA Euro 1996, scoring a memorable goal against Scotland and helping the team reach the semi-finals.

 Legacy and Honors

- **Talent:** Widely regarded for his extraordinary dribbling skills, vision, and ability to change the course of a game.

- **Controversies:** Gascoigne's career was also marked by personal struggles, including battles with alcoholism and mental health issues, which often overshadowed his footballing achievements.

- **Autobiographies and Media:** Published several autobiographies and remains a popular figure in the media.

 Post-Retirement

- **Coaching:** Briefly ventured into coaching with Kettering Town, though his tenure was short-lived.

- **Public Appearances:** Continues to make public appearances and remains a beloved figure in the football community.

Paul Gascoigne's career is remembered as much for his extraordinary talent on the pitch as for his tumultuous life off it. Despite his personal challenges, he remains an iconic figure in English football history.

Watch some of the best skills of Paul Gascoigne below