Paul Gascoigne Details Agonising Festive Fall Injuries
Former England football icon Paul Gascoigne has disclosed he endured a serious health scare over the Christmas period, sustaining six broken ribs and a punctured lung in a distressing fall. The 58-year-old, affectionately known as Gazza, described being left 'in agony' following the incident, which required urgent hospital treatment.
Panic and Pain in Hospital
Speaking candidly on the podcast Clutch 9, Gascoigne recounted the terrifying moments after his accident. 'I was hanging something up and I fell backwards. I broke six ribs and I punctured a couple of lungs,' he revealed. Admitted to hospital, he was given pain relief but soon began to panic as he felt his neck swelling, prompting him to urgently call for a surgeon.
'I could see my dad in the clouds and I was really panicking,' Gascoigne admitted, highlighting the severity of his distress. Despite having undergone 38 operations in the past, this episode left him particularly frightened. 'I've had 38 operations so this normally doesn't bother me, but this time I was really s****ing myself. I was saying, "please get the surgeon". I was crying my eyes out.'
Latest in a Series of Health Struggles
This incident marks the latest health scare for the former England midfielder, who earned 57 caps and is widely regarded as one of the nation's most gifted footballers of all time. Just last July, Gascoigne was rushed to intensive care after being found collapsed in his Poole home bedroom by his close friend and personal assistant, Steve Foster. He was stabilised for a throat condition before being released.
Gascoigne, who retired from professional football in 2004, has faced ongoing health challenges for years, speaking openly about his battles with alcohol addiction and mental health issues. In October, he stated he would never stop drinking, insisting he plans to 'die as Gazza' rather than alter his current lifestyle.
Honest Reflections on Addiction
During an appearance on Good Morning Britain, Gascoigne broke down while discussing his substance abuse struggles, admitting he still consumes alcohol. 'Jimmy Greaves stopped drinking, but that is Jimmy Greaves. I am not Jimmy Greaves and I am not George Best,' he said. 'I have not changed, I cannot change, I would not know how to change. I will probably die as Gazza. But I have nothing to hide.'
He reflected on the personal toll of his actions, acknowledging, 'Looking back, I must have hurt my mum and dad. But you do not think about it. The person you hurt the most is yourself.'
A Storied Football Career
Gascoigne's football legacy remains illustrious. Capped 57 times by England between 1988 and 1998, he played for several top clubs including Newcastle United, Tottenham Hotspur, Lazio, Rangers, Middlesbrough, and Everton. His career highlights include winning the FA Cup with Tottenham in 1991 and securing two Scottish Premiership titles, along with the Scottish Cup and League Cup, during his time with Rangers.
Despite his post-retirement struggles, Gascoigne's talent on the pitch during the 1990s cemented his status as one of the most exceptional players of his generation, remembered fondly by fans across the UK and beyond.
