Paul Gascoigne at 50: Fifty reasons why he was England's superstar

As Paul Gascoigne turns 50 on Saturday, we tell the story of his career in 50 bite-size portions.

There is only one Paul Gascoigne. An extraordinary but troubled character off the field, he was just as unique on it, combining outrageous skills with formidable strength and boundless enthusiasm in his prime. His career is the stuff of folklore.

"He was aggressive, very physical, but at the same time very technical, fantastic characteristics that you need to be a top footballer." - Jose Mourinho

Gascoigne captained Newcastle to victory in the FA Youth Cup in 1985, making his senior debut that season for a Magpies team that included future England team-mates Peter Beardsley and Chris Waddle. He'd go on to play over 100 games for his home-town club.

"The most naturally gifted, I would say, footballer this country has ever produced." - Gary Lineker

In his final season for Newcastle, Gascoigne was named as the PFA young player of the year having scored seven goals for the club as they secured a top-half finish. That was also the season in which the iconic image of Vinnie Jones grabbing Gascoigne's crotch was captured.

"He was the best player of his era, a breath of fresh air because he played with a smile." - Sir Alex Ferguson

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Amid interest from Sir Alex Ferguson's Manchester United, Gascoigne joined Tottenham in the summer of 1988 for a then British record fee of £2.2m. He made his England debut as a substitute for Beardsley in September of that year in a 1-0 win over Denmark at Wembley.

"When I was a kid, Paul Gascoigne was my hero. He was the one I always looked up to and wanted to be." - Frank Lampard

Gascoigne's first great performance in an England shirt came against Czechoslovakia in 1989, a 4-2 Wembley win in which he scored one goal and set up the other three. The performance captured the public's imagination and booked his place at Italia '90.

"He's one of the best footballers I've ever played with. He had the lot." - Terry Butcher

England reached the semi-final of the World Cup in 1990, still their second-best finish at the tournament, with Gascoigne the catalyst. Starring performances against Holland and Belgium culminated in the semi-final clash with West Germany in Turin.

"I always say Gazza is the best player I've played with. In 1990 he was just unbelievable in the World Cup … He was challenging Maradona as the best player in the world at that time." - Bryan Robson

Gascoigne was superb in the semi-final but his night is best remembered for a foul on Thomas Berthold that resulted in the booking that would rule him out of a potential final. The tears flowed and Gazza became a national treasure. England lost on penalties anyway.

"Before the semi, Bobby Robson said, 'When you lose the ball, ideally you want Gazza to pick [Lothar] Matthaus up' and Gazza went, 'who's he?'" - Chris Waddle

England returned from Italy in 1990 as household names with Gascoigne the star turn. Gazzamania was born. He became the first footballer to win the Sports Personality of the Year award since Bobby Moore in 1966 and even had a No 2 chart hit with Fog on the Tyne.

"Daft as a brush." - Sir Bobby Robson

Gascoigne's most famous goal for Spurs came in the 1991 FA Cup semi-final against arch-rivals Arsenal at Wembley. A thunderous long-range free-kick arrowed into the top corner beyond David Seaman and propelled Terry Venables' team to the final.

"One of the most intelligent players on the pitch, he could see things so quickly and make things happen." - Gary Mabbutt

Tottenham lifted the FA Cup in May 1991 but Gascoigne was in hospital by that point as a consequence of his reckless tackle on Nottingham Forest's Gary Charles. He was fortunate to be on the pitch to make it, seemingly overcome by the occasion.

"When he was good, he was good. On his day he was as good as anybody." - Peter Shilton

Gascoigne finally made the move to Italy, then regarded as the world's best league, in 1992 and while his time at Lazio was marred by injury there were still some magical moments. His last-gasp equaliser against Roma in his first season endearing himself to supporters.

"He was a lovely boy, lovely, such a heart. But a troubled boy. He ate ice cream for breakfast, he drank beer for lunch … But a player? Oh, beautiful, beautiful." - Dino Zoff

The header in the Roma derby was not his finest Serie A effort, however. His miraculous goal against Pescara in December 1992 was particularly outrageous - dancing past a host of defenders, including future World Cup winning captain Dunga, before slotting home.

"He gave me five pairs of shoes and a fishing kit. I have no idea why, but that was just like him." - Alessandro Nesta

Gascoigne's injury problems continued in Italy with a fractured cheekbone among the issues before a broken leg suffered in a training ground incident with Alessandro Nesta ruled him out for over a year. He made only 43 Serie A appearances in his three seasons at Lazio.

"In his prime he was one of the best players in the world. He glided with the ball in a way that made him virtually untouchable for opponents." - Brian Laudrup

Rangers broke their transfer record to take Gascoigne to Scotland in 1995 and he rewarded their faith with some of the best form of his career, becoming an instant favourite by running the length of the field to score in the Old Firm match against Celtic.

"There haven't been many finer English players in my lifetime. No one dropped their shoulder like Gazza." - Ray Parlour

Gascoigne was at the centre of the 'dentist's chair' drinking incident in Hong Kong before Euro '96 and also trashed a plane on the eve of the tournament. After the opener against Switzerland, the Mail's Jeff Powell called him as a 'playboy relic' who should be dropped.

"The most talented individual I've played alongside. Even when he got into the England side, he was not fazed by anyone. He had a real arrogance on the pitch." - Stuart Pearce

Redemption followed. England beat Scotland 2-0 at Wembley in their second game with Gascoigne in irresistible form, marking the occasion with his most famous goal - flicking the ball over Colin Hendry's head before slamming home to send the crowd wild.

"I remember the European Championships in England with Gascoigne playing some great matches and remember the 'sombrero' at Wembley. It was spectacular." - Xavi

Football really did seem to be coming home but the semi-final against Germany proved to be a game too far. It might have been different had Gascoigne got his foot to the ball in extra-time and while he scored his penalty in the shootout, Gareth Southgate did not.

"Nobody loved a big stage like Gazza. Those occasions were made for him. Gazza and the limelight were made for each other." - Darren Anderton

Gascoigne continued to impress for Rangers, adding a further 17 goals in his second and final full season at the club. His haul included a match-winning brace in the Scottish League Cup final win over Hearts at Celtic Park in November 1996.

"The best player I ever played with. People may say it was 'only Rangers' but Gazza could win a game by himself." - Richard Gough

The midfielder seemed set for a second World Cup appearance when he helped England to the goalless draw in Rome that secured the team's place at France '1998 ahead of much-fancied Italy. As it turned out, he's already scored his last England goal the previous month.

"At his peak he was phenomenal, the best player I`ve ever seen from this country." - Paul Merson

Gascoigne moved to second division Middlesbrough in the months before the 1998 World Cup, linking up with his former England team-mate Bryan Robson. He made his debut as a substitute in Boro's extra-time League Cup final defeat to Chelsea.

"Probably the best player I played with. What more can I say? He's a maverick, he just had everything." - Paul Ince

Glenn Hoddle controversially omitted England's wildcard on the eve of France '98, opting instead for the more prosaic qualities of Rob Lee among others. Gascoigne responded to the news with fury and would never play for his country again.

"He was everything you've heard - mad, hilarious, warm-hearted, and a match-winner." - Gary Neville

He was everything you've heard - mad, hilarious, warm-hearted, and a match-winner.

Gascoigne's largely unsuccessful spell at Middlesbrough came to an end in 2000 and he then made a free transfer move to Everton, linking up with his old Rangers boss Walter Smith. While there were flashes of the old magic, he moved on when David Moyes arrived in 2002.

"I'd say he's probably the most exciting English player I've seen, and certainly the best." - Wayne Rooney

There were some eclectic postings in Gascoigne's later career. A loan spell at Burnley, an unsuccessful trial at Wolves, a brief sojourn in China and a handful of games in English football's fourth tier with Boston as he eked out the talent remaining in his failing frame.

"If you've got that much natural ability, it doesn't really matter how much the game moves on - he still would have been outstanding today." - Matt Le Tissier

If you've got that much natural ability, it doesn't really matter how much the game moves on - he still would have been outstanding today.

Perhaps surprisingly, Gascoigne even tried his hands at management in 2005 when he was appointed as boss of Conference North club Kettering Town. He spent only 39 days in charge before being dismissed by the club's board.

"Not only could he pick a pass but he could go past two or three players - he was a genius with that football at his feet." - Alan Shearer

It has been a difficult time for Gascoigne, seemingly still adjusting to life after football and continuing to battle addiction. But the memories of an astonishing career remain and the after-effects of his role in reigniting the country's love for the game are still being felt today.

"Part of his magnificence is the fact that he is still vulnerable. Without that vulnerable side I don't think that he would have been the player that he was. It lifted him from being a great footballer to a national treasure." - Gary Lineker