| Every sporting profession has them - the talented | | | | watching, Gascoigne's season at Tottenham Hotspur |
| individual that appears to struggle with their inner | | | | would attract interest from Italian side Lazio, who |
| demons. Despite having enviable skills and physical | | | | would agree a fee of 8.5 million pounds with his club. |
| ability, the tortured genius fails to adopt the mentality | | | | Gascoigne was set to move to Italy at the end of |
| of a professional sports star. For every model | | | | the 1990-91 season following an appearance in the |
| professional that lives for their sport, there will be | | | | FA Cup Final against Nottingham Forest. With the |
| another person that plays to earn money and then | | | | glorious Wembley Stadium as the venue, Gascoigne's |
| will indulge in the extravagant lifestyle that their | | | | final appearance for Tottenham was expected to be |
| celebrity provides. | | | | a fitting swan-song for a fantastic player. |
| Soccer players are some of the most celebrated | | | | Gazza went into the game with determination and |
| sports people on the planet, with earnings that make | | | | ambition, although his enthusiasm would eventually be |
| the common working man shudder. With this money | | | | his downfall. Eager to impress, Gascoigne crashed into |
| and fame comes a greater responsibility to perform | | | | an opposition player and was cautioned. However, |
| both on and off the pitch at an impeccable standard. | | | | this failed to prevent what would happen next as he |
| David Beckham, as the most famous soccer player | | | | clattered into Gary Charles and ruptured cruciate |
| alive, has coped admirably considering the media | | | | ligaments in his knee. |
| scrutiny that his life encourages. But for every David | | | | Immediately Gascoigne appeared devastated and in a |
| Beckham there will be a Paul Gascoigne or a George | | | | state of agony. Stretchered off the pitch, he would |
| Best. | | | | watch the rest of the game from a hospital bed and |
| Gascoigne and Best were two of the most skillful | | | | would sadly miss the whole of the next season with |
| players that the sport of soccer will ever produce. | | | | the injury. His transfer to Lazio would take place 15 |
| With style, speed, charisma and determination, these | | | | months later but for a largely reduced fee of 5.5 |
| two players would have the world at their feet and | | | | million pounds. |
| then see it all slip away. Although these two would | | | | Despite a lack of club form and frequent injuries, |
| represent their clubs and countries at the highest | | | | Gascoigne would continue to represent his country as |
| levels, their talents would have deserved more than | | | | a talismanic performer. His performances would |
| what they achieved. | | | | silence the doubters and media who would scrutinise |
| George Best made his debut for Manchester United | | | | his private life at every attempt. At Euro '96, he |
| at the age of 17, two years after the club scout | | | | would be named in the team of the tournament with |
| declared to then manager Matt Busby - 'I think I've | | | | his performance against the Netherlands an |
| found you a genius'. Best would go on to make over | | | | unforgettable highlight. |
| 350 appearances for the club, as well as 37 caps for | | | | Gascoigne's career from here would suffer many |
| Northern Ireland. Among his honours, Best lifted the | | | | more setbacks with injuries and personal problems |
| European Cup and was named the European | | | | making headline news. Controversy was never far |
| Footballer of the Year in 1968. | | | | away, and he would receive death threats from the |
| The ability of George Best was undeniable, but as his | | | | IRA for celebrating a goal against Glasgow Celtic with |
| skills and looks saw him earn the nickname the 'fifth | | | | a mimic of the flute-playing Orange Order marchers. |
| Beatle' the problems would begin. His popularity led to | | | | Despite a resurgence in his form for Glasgow |
| a celebrity lifestyle that would ultimately affect his | | | | Rangers which earned him a 3.4 million pound transfer |
| performances and he struggled with gambling and | | | | to Middlesbrough, Paul Gascoigne would be omitted |
| alcoholism. Best quit Manchester United at the age of | | | | from England's World Cup Squad for France '98. |
| 27, a time when a professional soccer player would | | | | England manager Glenn Hoddle faced criticism for this |
| be considered at their professional peak. | | | | decision from soccer fans across the country, as the |
| Best's abilities appeared to wain as he drifted from | | | | team were eliminated in the second round against |
| club to club across a number of countries before | | | | Argentina and Gascoigne would never play for his |
| eventually retiring at the age of 37 while playing for | | | | country again. |
| Bournemouth in England's Third Division. At the age of | | | | At the age of 31, Gascoigne's abilities were fading |
| 59, Best would die of a kidney infection, a side | | | | and he moved from club to club searching for the |
| effect of treatment of a liver transplant. Although | | | | adulation that he seemingly craved. A trial in the USA |
| Best enjoyed a successful career before and after | | | | with D.C. United was unsuccessful, as was a short |
| playing, entertaining soccer fans across the globe | | | | spell in China. A short reign as a manager was cut |
| with his skill and charm, the question will always be | | | | short due to his battle with alcohol abuse, as he was |
| posed as to how good he really could have been. | | | | fired from his role at Kettering Town after less than |
| A soccer player's career is a relatively short one with | | | | six weeks. |
| the average player getting ten to twelve years to | | | | Fans will continue to follow what Gascoigne does |
| perform at the highest level possible. There are | | | | next as they remember the ability, charm and childlike |
| exceptions to this rule, with players hitting the | | | | enthusiasm that he effortlessly displayed on the |
| heights as early as 17 and 18 years old and improved | | | | soccer pitch. However, his continuous struggle to |
| fitness helping players continue into their late 30s. | | | | escape alcoholism is sadly comparable to that of |
| Paolo Maldini Made his debut for AC Milan, aged 16, | | | | another faded, tortured genius - George Best. These |
| and continues to play to the present day past his | | | | two talented performers struggled to adapt to the |
| fortieth birthday. Maldini is a shining example of what | | | | media spotlight that had been thrust upon them as a |
| ability, combined with hard work and commitment, | | | | result of their natural abilities. |
| can achieve in the modern game. This shows the | | | | Best and Gascoigne suffered similar fates in the |
| different achievements that are possible with the | | | | game, with careers shortened that had promised so |
| right mentality, attitude and frame of mind. | | | | much more. Both suffering from alcoholism, the two |
| English soccer player Paul 'Gazza' Gascoigne burst | | | | would reach the top of their game but with the |
| onto the international scene at the World Cup Finals | | | | talent they had could have raised the bar as high as |
| at Italia '90. After dazzling the world with his skills, | | | | they wanted. There are many more and will be many |
| Gascoigne's tears during the semi-final against | | | | more to do the same, so it is the soccer fans duty |
| Germany made him superstar. With the soccer world | | | | to enjoy them while they can. |