He is one of Britain's most known faces and had people idolize him through out the 1990's with his quick feet and cheeky smile. But now he is in his 40's and at rock bottom. This article is on a flawed genius, a man known as "Gazza" to his fans and Paul Gascoigne to others. Born in Gateshead, situated in the north eastern part of England on the 27th May 1967; Gascoigne was brought up in the world with very little to spare economically and found his way to success with a football.

Gascoigne had a enigmatic career that started with Newcastle in the mid 1980's and carried onto Tottenham Hotspurs, Lazio, Rangers, Middlesborough and Everton before moving down into the lower leagues. He was a barrel chested highly skillful midfielder that caught the imagination of all the clubs fans that he played for. He won many caps for England and could of made a century of caps if not for injury.

The year that Gascoigne truly made his name was the World Cup in 1990 where England made it through to the semi-finals to only be knocked out by to be champions Germany on penalties. During the game Gascoigne was booked for a late challenge that would of made him suspended for the final if England had made it through. Within moments of the booking he realized that he would be missing for a game that would be his biggest in all his career and he cried in front of millions of watchers.

This created a bond with the English public that would grow to become known as "Gazza Mania" through out the early and mid 90's. With the world at his feet and being touted as having the potential to biggest England's greatest ever player, Gazza ruined it all.

It was the 1991 F.A Cup Final; Gazza was playing for Tottenham against Nottingham Forest and was ready to win the cup as a farewell gift for the Spurs fans after it was revealed that he was to move to Lazio at the end of the season. It was 20 minutes into the game and a highly charged Gazza throw himself into a wild and reckless challenge on right-back Gary Charles. Gazza made contact with Charles's thigh and ruptured his right knee; he ruptured both his ligaments and a tendon. He was rushed to hospital with every fan concerned for his health. Tottenham won the cup in extra time 2-1 but that did not dampen the anguish everyone felt for England's star player.

His move to Lazio was put on hold and it took Gazza 13 months to recover from the injury after a serious relapse with his knee. He moved to Italy but many a fan questioned whether he would ever make it back to his best. After a reasonably successful spell at Lazio he moved on to Scottish giants Rangers and found his old
form.

In 1996 he was selected for England's Euro squad and once again made it his own tournament; but once again it ended in heart break. He scored what is known as England's greatest ever goal against Scotland where he picked a long ball up with his first touch, flicked it over the head of a defender and before it drops volley's it into the bottom left hand-side of the goal. This was Gazza's moment in which he celebrated in controversial style in which he used a water bottle and mimed a drinking game called the dentists chair. He would go on to inspire England to the Semi-finals once again.

As if fate would have it England lined up once again against it's old rival Germany in the European Championship Semi-final at home. This time everyone thought this would be the time that Gazza et al would come to the front and claim victory. After a great start with Gazza setting up England's goal in the first few minutes Germany scored and dragged it into extra-time. Pressure was showing on all the players on the pitch, England created a counter attack and the ball was crossed low into the box with Gazza running onto it; it looked like he couldn't miss and would put England into the finals, but he misjudged the speed of the cross and missed the ball a yard out.

The game went to penalties in which the Germans held their nerve and England did not. Once again there were tears by the England playmaker but this time was the last time any fan would see him wear the national jersey in a major competition.

He was dropped controversially for the 1998 World Cup squad for a then baby faced David Beckham. By then the years were taking it's toll on him and he never hit the heights again.

Through out his career he was well documented as a wild child that like to drink and play stupid pranks. He was also guilty of attacking his wife once which effected his popularity. He has battled drink and drug addiction for the past 15 years or so and is a shell of his former self. A man who had the world at his feet but didn't know how to make that final step into folk lore. Whether he will be remembered by many in a good fashion is not known but nothing can take away the joy he gave when he played.