Gazza for me .
Here are some quotes from others on Gascoigne's career.
''I'd say he's probably the most exciting English player I have seen , and certainly the best .''
Wayne Rooney .
''In his prime , he was one of the best players in the world . He glided with the ball in a way that made him virtually untouchable for opponents. ''
Brian Laudrup
''He was the best player of his era , a breath of fresh air because he played with a smile on his face .''
Sir Alex Ferguson
''He was a lovely boy , lovely, such a heart . But a troubled boy . He ate ice cream for breakfast , he drank beer for lunch . But a player ? Oh, beautiful , beautiful .''
Dino Zoff.
And a great one from Allessandro Nesta '' He gave me 5 pairs of shoes and a fishing kit . I have no idea why , but that was just like him . ''
“He is the greatest captain the club has ever had – it’s as simple as that.” Emre Can
“He’s a fantastic statesman; he has been unbelievably successful with this football club with what he’s done, the amount of games he has pulled out the mire, and the general way he conducts himself.” Kenny Dalglish
“Gerrard has been my idol for 10 years and is one of the best players in the world. He is the example of what all midfield players aspire to.” De Rossi
“He has become the most influential player in England, bar none. Not that Vieira lacks anything, but Gerrard does more.” Alex Ferguson
‘I’d have to say Steven Gerrard has been the biggest influence in my career so far. I watched him when I was younger and then to go and play and train with him every day is massive for me, and still is now.” Jordan Henderson
“He is undoubtedly one of the best midfield players in the world.” Carlo Ancelotti
“I think of him as being at the same level as Pirlo. Vision, technique, but he is powerful as well. Stevie can do anything. It’s going to be very difficult to find another player like him in the future.” Mario Balotelli
“I have never seen such a complete midfielder.” Claudio Marchisio
“The biggest compliment I can give him is he is second only to Zinedine Zidane in terms of his world-class status.” Michael Owen
“He’s the best player I have worked with in terms of football mentality.” Brendan Rodgers
“For the job he performs, he is one of the greatest.” Ronaldinho
“I can’t think of a striker in the world who has scored so many important goals, never mind a midfielder.” Thierry Henry
“I love Gerrard’s qualities as a player and a leader. Technically and tactically he is the best.” Gus Hiddink
“I am a huge fan of Steven Gerrard, He has the heart of a lion. He is a player I would like to have in my team.” Kaka
“Steven Gerrard was just awesome today. We were just laughing in the dressing room that at one stage we thought he was heading his own crosses in.” Gareth Southgate
“Steven Gerrard is the best player I’ve ever played with.” Luis Suarez
“He is without doubt the greatest player I have ever played with, he has everything. At Liverpool, he is irreplaceable.” Fernando Torres
“Steven Gerrard would be the captain of my World XI dream team.” Francesco Totti
“I heard what Alex Ferguson saif about him being better than me. He’s probably right.” Patrick Vieira
“Is he the best in the world? He might not get the attention of Messi and Ronaldo but yes, I think he just might be.” Zinedine Zidane
Sven-Goran Eriksson: An all-round midfielder who can do anything and everything.
Guus Hiddink (in 2009): Liverpool’s Steven Gerrard, Lionel Messi or Xavi from Barcelona deserved the Ballon d’Or more. Ronaldo is only focused on finishing in front of goal. I love Gerrard’s qualities as a player and a leader. Technically and tactically he is the best. His passion is enormous, he means as much for a great team as George Best. He is a player who fans can identify themselves with and a man who carries the love for his club on his club badge. There is not another player in the world who combines all those qualities. I like him so much more than Ronaldo.
Arsene Wenger: For me he was an absolutely fantastic player. He has remained loyal to his club for his whole career and we don’t see that a lot, especially that kind of quality of player.
Graham Taylor: He is, in my opinion, the best midfielder in the world, and has a track record for delivering on the big occasions.
Gerard Houllier: He is a natural born leader, a very inspirational leader. He is somebody you want to follow. Stevie is Liverpool.
Harry Redknapp: A Roy of the Rovers character. It’s surprising to me how often people have used this tag as a criticism of Steven Gerrard and his all-action playing style. He wants to be everywhere…he deserts his position…he can’t play in the middle because he’ll leave a gap. What nonsense. Roy Race was a comic book hero and Steven Gerrard is a real-life one.
Rafa Benitez: He was a massive part of Liverpool winning the Champions League because he was a leader by example.
Cesc Fabregas: I would pay to watch Steven Gerrard.
Alessandro Nesta: One of my toughest but most sporting opponents. An example on and off the pitch.
Iker Casillas: He’s been a reference to all his team-mates throughout the years and is now in history for such a brilliant career at his club for all his life.
Cristiano Ronaldo: It was a pleasure to play against Steven Gerrard.
Francesco Totti: Gerrard is a complete player because he can play in every position and can do everything with a football at any time in a game. He’s a player who scores goals, who builds the play, he’s a sensational player. Steven Gerrard would be the captain of my World XI dream team.
Wayne Rooney (on the best player he has played with for England): I’d have to say Stevie [was the best]. For me he’s an incredible player, an incredible leader. He helped me a lot during my early days with England.
Jose Mourinho: This is my time to honour a champion. It is my time to honour Steve Gerrard. It is with opponents like him that I am the manager that I am, because I learn with my players and I learn with my best opponents. I learn with my players’ problems, my players’ doubts, my players’ qualities and I learn with my best opponent, with the problems they give me – the way they make me think, the way they make me analyse them and studying the best way to play against them. Steven Gerrard is for sure one of my favourite enemies – an enemy with all the good feeling I can express with that word in football. For sure, in England he is my dear enemy. For sure, he is the one that made me a better manager. To stop him or try and stop him has been very, very difficult. I tried to bring him to Chelsea, I tried to bring him to Inter, I tried to bring him to Real Madrid but he was always a dear enemy. I want to honour him and I hope Stamford Bridge has the same feeling as I have, which is we need people like him as our opponents.