Gascoigne and Waddle's Italia 90 days

Paul Gascoigne was known not only for his talent on the pitch but also for his cheerful presence in the dressing room. His mischief brought teammates together, which made him a well-liked figure at both his clubs and with the national team.

Gascoigne named Chris Waddle as his closest friend in the game. The two Geordie footballers moved together from St James' Park to Tottenham, and they played side by side in central midfield 17 times for England. Their time as roommates was never short of jokes and fun moments.

When Gascoigne spoke about the time he spent with Waddle, he put the 1990 World Cup front and centre. The training camp in Italy provided an ideal setting for this pair, who wanted to ease the tension that comes with a major tournament.

The jokes the two players made in Italy are among the memories that have become legendary in English football culture. Gascoigne's description of Waddle as his best friend shows that the bond continued beyond football.