Paul Gascoigne, affectionately known as "Gazza" to his fans, is one of the most talented and controversial football players to come out of England. Born on May 27, 1967, in Gateshead, England, Gascoigne had a tumultuous upbringing, marked by poverty, abuse, and family tragedy.

However, his love for football kept him going, and he began to make a name for himself in the sport from an early age. Gascoigne's first professional football club was Newcastle United, which he joined in 1985. His raw talent and impressive performances soon caught the attention of scouts from other clubs.

In 1988, he signed for Tottenham Hotspur for a then-record fee of £2.2 million. It was at Spurs that Gascoigne truly came into his own, showing off his incredible dribbling skills, vision, and flair on the pitch. He quickly became a fan favourite, known for his cheeky personality and hilarious off-field antics.

In 1990, Gascoigne was called up to play for England in the World Cup in Italy. It was here that he cemented his status as a national hero, scoring an incredible goal against Scotland and helping the team reach the semi-finals. However, it was also during this tournament that Gascoigne's more controversial side began to emerge.

In the infamous match against Germany, he received a yellow card that meant he would be suspended for the final, and was seen crying on the pitch. The moment became an iconic image of the tournament, and cemented Gascoigne's status as a flawed but beloved figure.