If football were judged purely on instinct, imagination and raw, untamed ability, Paul Gascoigne would sit comfortably in the highest tier of the game. On natural talent alone, his ceiling was easily “90-plus” , the kind reserved for the truly great. He was, quite simply, one of the most technically gifted English players ever produced, arguably the most gifted of all.

An elite attacking midfielder, Gascoigne had everything: explosive acceleration, outrageous dribbling, vision, creativity, and a rare capacity to decide matches on his own. He was a genuine assist-maker, possessed a powerful and accurate shot, struck free kicks with authority, and combined all of this with unexpected physical strength. When “Gazza” was on, the game bent around him.

His finest club years came in England, first at Newcastle and then at Tottenham, where his talent flourished in a context that allowed freedom and instinct to lead. Internationally, his World Cup in 1990 remains iconic, a tournament where he didn’t just perform, he belonged, carrying England with personality, brilliance and vulnerability in equal measure.

Italy, however, was a different story. At Lazio he offered flashes of pure genius, moments that reminded everyone who he could be, but struggled to adapt to the tactical rigidity, physical constraints and stricter refereeing of Serie A. The structure of Italian football, unforgiving and disciplined, clashed violently with his anarchic nature.

His spell at Rangers showed another side of his career. In Scotland he was productive, effective and often decisive: 30 goals in 74 appearances, frequently among the best players on the pitch. Yet injuries and off-field turmoil continued to undermine continuity, slowly eroding what should have been a far longer peak.

Ultimately, Gascoigne’s story is one of extreme contrasts. A footballing genius with no real work ethic, a sublime artist trapped in an unhealthy, turbulent relationship with the game and with himself. His career was never shaped by a lack of ability,only by the inability to contain it.