Former England midfielder Paul Gascoigne shares hilarious memories of his close friendship with Chris Waddle during Italia 90.
Former England midfielder Paul Gascoigne has reflected on his storied football career and his close bond with fellow Geordie Chris Waddle, highlighting their unforgettable prank-filled days together.
The pair, who shared an England midfield on 17 occasions and played together at Tottenham Hotspur, became inseparable during the famous 1990 FIFA World Cup campaign in Italy, according to information published by FF2 Futebol.
Gascoigne, widely celebrated for his genius on the pitch and mischievous personality off it, recently opened up about how their locker room antics helped the squad defuse the immense pressure of a major international tournament.
Paul Gascoigne best friend in football
Asked to name his ultimate best friend from his playing days, Gascoigne did not hesitate to point to Waddle. The duo first crossed paths at St James' Park before Waddle paved the way for Gazza to follow him to Tottenham Hotspur in North London.
Sharing accommodation on club duty and international travels provided countless opportunities for trouble, cementing a lifelong camaraderie that remains strong to this day, as Gascoigne explained in his recent interview.
Italia 90 prank stories and room antics
The summer in Italy provided the ultimate backdrop for mischief, with Gascoigne and Waddle leading the charge to keep spirits high. As early risers, the pair delighted in winding up their sleeping teammates by blasting the radio at maximum volume.
Frustrated colleagues would regularly shout at them to turn off the music, but the dynamic duo remained unfazed, moving straight on to their next target before the morning training sessions even began.
Stealing chocolate bar rations from teammates
Beyond the loud music, Gascoigne and Waddle targeted the daily chocolate bar rations given to players every evening, sneaking into different hotel rooms under the cover of darkness to swipe the sweet treats.
However, one midnight raid went disastrously wrong when Gazza targeted the wrong room in the dark, walking right into the domain of tough teammates Chris Woods and Terry Butcher.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Paul Gascoigne best friend in football?
Paul Gascoigne considers former Tottenham and England teammate Chris Waddle to be his absolute best friend from his professional football career.
What did Paul Gascoigne and Chris Waddle do at Italia 90?
During the 1990 World Cup in Italy, Paul Gascoigne and Chris Waddle played loud music early in the morning and stole chocolate bar rations from their England teammates.
How many times did Gascoigne and Waddle play together for England?
Paul Gascoigne and Chris Waddle shared the England midfield on 17 international occasions while representing the Three Lions.
