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Paul Gascoigne conjured up funny stories of being “tipsy” and smoking a big cigar with Diego Maradona before playing against the Argentine legend.
Maradona passed away on Wednesday at the age of 60 after suffering from heart failure in his sleep, just weeks after undergoing a brain operation in Buenos Aires.
Gazza was invited to Good Morning Britain to discuss his memories of Maradona and pulled out some classic anecdotes.
Despite being two of the main players of their era, the two never faced each other in competitive action, but met in friendlies.
“I lost the opportunity to play against him for Napoli. I arrived at Lazio, he has just left,” recalls Gazza. “I played him in a charity game. I see a little boy outside with a polka dot hat and such a big cigar.
(Image: GETTY)
“I just went after him and told him I can borrow your lighter please Diego. He started laughing so I took a cigar with him. We played in that game. [Soccer Aid] – [GMB presenter] Well [Shepherd] played as well. “
Gascoigne appeared on the ITV program alongside former England teammate Peter Shilton, who was in goal when Maradona performed his infamous “Hand of God” act to score.
“He [Maradona] he was an icon, right? “, Gascoigne continued.” People keep talking about Hand of God, but still it made Peter Shilton – Shilts, it made you that goal. “
Gascoigne was only 19 at the time of Maradona’s starring role in the 1986 World Cup and had yet to earn his first cap with England.
Luckily he got to meet Maradona on the pitch when they were both still in their prime, and of course there was a story to tell.
“Lazio wanted us to play [a friendly] against Sevilla and Maradona, “explained Gascoigne.” I wanted to play against Juventus. “No,” they said, “the president wants Maradona.”
“‘Okay,’ I said, ‘I’ll see you at the game.’
“Of course I had a couple of drinks on the flight. I went into the tunnel and said, ‘Diego, I’m tipsy.’
“He said: ‘It’s okay Filch, me too’.
“I beat about four players, scored a goal, I said:” Beat that. “It had to be in Italian because he doesn’t speak English and neither do I!
“I think I said the wrong thing because afterwards he was fantastic, what a player. My icon is Bryan Robson but all over the world Diego has been phenomenal in football.”
Gazza added: “For such a small boy just an incredible player. Probably the best player in the world.
“I saw his documentary not long ago and he was still a fanatic in the dressing room as a manager. I sat with him, me, him, his wife and his family for three hours and we just had a laugh.
“Even such a nice guy, he’d give his time for anyone.”
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