Legendary England player Paul Gascoigne has confessed that his battle with alcoholism has worsened four years after undergoing surgery to keep him from drinking. On the High Performance podcast, Gascoigne characterized himself as a’sad drunk’ who had become homeless and was living in his agent’s room. “I called Katie [Gascoigne’s ganet] in November a few years ago, crying my eyes out.” What I put myself and others through – jail and rehab, removing cocaine from toilet seats – and then being asked to be an ambassador for my country, I couldn’t tell whether to laugh or cry.”
Known as one of the most influential England attacking midfielders of his time, Gascoigne was responsible for the Three Lions reaching the World Cup semifinal in 1990. He also turned out for the likes of Tottenham, Lazio, Newcastle and Rangers in his club career before retiring in 2004. “I used to be a happy drunk. I ain’t anymore. I’m a sad drunk. I don’t go out and drink, I drink indoors. People know Paul Gascoigne but Gazza, no one knows. Even me sometimes. I’ve spent a lot of years being down when I did my ligaments and then my kneecap, I missed four years of football. I would’ve got 100 caps [for England].”
The former England player has been open about his mental health issues and continued battle to stay sober
The former England player has been open about his mental health issues and continued battle to stay sober since bidding the beautiful game adieu. “I try not to get down because the world’s already down enough. And when I’m really down, that’s when I pick up a drink to cheer myself up. I don’t think I let any managers down, or the players or the fans you know. If there was anyone I let down, it was myself. But more the drinking side of it, when I finished playing.”
The English icon has been arrested multiple times for drunk and disorderly behaviour, but he still relies on Alcoholics Anonymous meetings for support. “It’s not the drinking; it’s the aftermath. Looking at my phone thereafter and seeing 30 messages or missed calls, I realize I’m in trouble. But I’ve been all right. Last year wasn’t great; it was off and on for a few months.” Gascoigne was inducted into the English Football Hall of Fame in 2002, but his alcohol problems continue to undermine his legendary status.
