The Three Lions’ legend has sent a heartfelt personal video message to Thomas Tuchel’s team as they prepare for the World Cup semi-final.
Paul Gascoigne told England’s stars to work their ‘nuts off’ in tonight’s (wed) Argentina showdown – so they do not end up ‘crying their eyes out’ like him.
The Three Lions’ legend sent a heartfelt personal video message to Thomas Tuchel ’s team as they prepared for the World Cup semi-final.
He told them he hopes ‘they’ve all got great smiles at the end’ – instead of the heartbreaking tears he shed during England’s defeat by West Germany in the 1990 semi.
Gazza collapsed sobbing on the pitch after picking up a 98th minute yellow card – his second of the tournament – which meant he would have been banned from the final had England got there.
Manager Bobby Robson said it was a ‘tragedy’ for ‘him, me, the team, the country, the whole of football’ because ‘he was so good’.
England lost the semi in Turin, Italy, on penalties and West Germany went on to win their third World Cup beating Argentina 1-0 in the final.
Gazza’s tears won the nation’s hearts.
But he has never forgotten the pain he felt getting so near to ending 60 years of World Cup hurt only to have it cruelly snatched away.
He told England’s current stars to make sure they do not experience similar heartache.
Gazza said: “I’d just like to wish the England team all the best against Argentina.
“I know what it’s like playing in a semi-final.
“Hopefully no-one ends up like me crying their eyes out. “Hopefully they’ve all got great smiles at the end of the game.
“We’ve got to have 11 captains out there – not just the one that flicks the coin up.
“Eleven captains and work your nuts off.
“Good luck lads.”
Gazza cheekily mocked Diego Maradona’s infamous Hand of God goal that broke English hearts at the 1986 World Cup.
Paul, 59, was just 19 and did not make his international debut until two years after the Argentina legend punched the ball into the net to KO the Three Lions in the Mexico quarter-final.
But he reminded Tuchel’s team of the moment that has defined the bitter rivalry between two teams who have not played each other for 21 years.
“Obviously we go as far back as the Hand of God,” he said.
Smiling Gazza added: “Well, I know they called me ‘God’ but I never used my hand though.
“Good luck lads.
“Wishing you all the best and all the love from Gazza.
“Come on England. You can do it.”
Gazza has previously explained his emotional reaction during the biggest match of his life – which led to striker Gary Lineker making a famous crying hand gesture to the England bench.
Paul said: “When things are good and I can see they’re about to end I get scared – really scared.
“I couldn’t help but cry that night.
“When I was a young kid playing at my youth club every night I used to dream about playing football at the World Cup. “I lived that dream in Italy.
“When I was shown the yellow card I knew it had come to an end.”