FRANCE 98 – General Media News Template

Paul Gascoigne, one of the most controversial players ever to pull on an England shirt, is also one of most gifted—but the 1998 World Cup finals are his last chance to prove his greatness.

Throughout a career ravaged by serious injury and dogged by scnadal, the hyperactive Middlesborough midfielder has been the subject of more negative than positive headlines in the nation’s newspapers. But his magical dribbling skills, irrepressible appetite for the big occasion, great vision and potency from deadball situations, make him the most dangerous and creative England player of his generation.

His mad-cap humour, practical joking, legendary generosity and almost child-like over-sensitivity have also made him one of the most popular characters in the England camp.A glittering career seemed to lie ahead of him after a sparkling display in the 1990 World Cup. Some even declared that the highly-strung midfielder was ready to inherit the title of the world’s best footballer from Diego Maradona.

Gascoigne, the ultimate showman, showed his time had come in Italia ‘90 when he thrived off the adrenalin and nervous energy that come from performing on football’s biggest stage. The tears which he shed after being booked in the semi-final against Germany catapulted him to early stardom. But since then Gascoigne, who will be 31 in may, has shone only when injury and fitness have allowed.

He became a victim of his own exuberance when, playing for Spurs in the 1991 FA Cup final against Nottingham Forest, he sustained a career-threatening knee injury after making a maniacal lunge at Gary Charles.

He was out for over a year before he left for Lazio where he promptly broke his right leg in training after just a handful of games for the Roman side. He returned to Britain to play for Glasgow Rangers a yard or two slower, but remained central to the plans of then England manager Terry Venables.

“There’s no nastiness in him. He might just say or do the wrong thing or burp at the wrong time. He’ll always realise his mistake, but its too late,” says Venables. He was welcomed into Glenn Hoddle’s team and the England manager stood by him when a national outcry followed allegations that he beat up his former wife.