Paul Gascoigne has revealed he thought he was going to die after a fall during the festive period left him with six broken ribs and punctured lungs. The former England midfielder, 58, was attempting to hang something up when he fell backwards, requiring major medical attention.
Speaking to Clutch 9, Gascoigne described his panic in hospital. 'I got the surgeon in quickly because I was panicking. And the surgeon came in and I went, "Please, please, tell me I’m not going to die." And he said, "I’m not going to tell you - you should have signed for Manchester United." He then walked back out of the room!' Gascoigne recalled crying and fearing he could see his father in the clouds.
The incident is not Gascoigne's first health scare; in June he was rushed to hospital after being found semi-conscious at his home in Poole, Dorset, and spent time in an intensive care ward.
Despite his struggles, Gascoigne remains passionate about football, particularly Newcastle United. 'I don't really watch football as much because I still wish I could play,' he said. 'I still miss playing, even at my age and the amount of operations I've had.'
Looking ahead to this summer's World Cup, Gascoigne believes England have the squad to end the 59-year wait for a major trophy. 'We've got the players to do it,' he said, but warned that every player must perform at their best in the knockout stages.
