Former England and Newcastle United legend Paul Gascoigne has opened up about his special bond with Diego Maradona.
Maradona died on Wednesday after suffering a heart attack and his passing has left the football fraternity in mourning.
The 60-year-old, who was widely regarded as one of the world's best ever players, won the World Cup in 1986 and was idolised in Argentina and in Naples, after winning five major trophies during his successful time in Italy while playing for Napoli.
Gascoigne, too, is idolised in England for his performances in the 1990 World Cup, as well as the 1996 European Championships, and while both men had their flaws away from the pitch, they dazzled in equal measure on it.
The one time the two greats shared the pitch came in 1992 when Maradona's Sevilla played Lazio in an exhibition match.
Unsurprisingly, Gazza had a brilliant story to tell from that evening, while paying tribute to Maradona on Good Morning Britain.
"Lazio played against Sevilla with Maradona and I said: 'No, I want to play against Juventus,' Gascoigne said.
"The President said no and he wanted me to play against Maradona. I said: 'OK, I will meet you there'.
"On the flight I had a couple of drinks and in the tunnel I said to Diego: 'Diego, I'm tipsy,' and he said: 'It's OK, Gazza, so am I!'
"I went out, beat about four players and scored a goal. I looked at him and said: 'Beat that'.
"Obviously I spoke a bit Italian because he doesn't speak English and neither do I!
"I think I said the wrong thing because after that he was unbelievable. Magic. What a player.
"My icon is Bryan Robson but around the world Diego was just a phenomenal footballer."
