Paul Gascoigne was the most gifted English footballer of his generation, a midfielder of extraordinary vision, balance and audacity. At his peak he could win matches single-handedly, whether with a mazy dribble, a defence-splitting pass or a moment of pure inspiration.
He shone for Tottenham Hotspur and, in Italy, for Lazio, before a celebrated spell at Rangers brought Scottish league titles and some of his finest football. His tears at the 1990 World Cup and his wonder goal against Scotland at Euro 96 became defining images of the English game.
For all the turbulence that shadowed his career, his sheer talent was undeniable, and he remains one of the most cherished and lamented figures in the country’s footballing memory.