When it came to performances on the pitch, the 1990 World Cup proved to be the moment when the world awoke to Paul Gascoigne's talents.
But his playing ability was but a small part of the Gazzamania frenzy which built up in England in the years after Italia '90.
Gazza wore his heart very much on his sleeve and it was the tears that rolled down his cheek at the semi-final stage which won the hearts of many.
But it wasn't just the sleeve. The front of his jersey as it covered half of his tear-filled face is the main feature of the standout image of Gascoigne from that tournament.
That is but one iconic image taken by Billy Stickland, the founder of Irish sports photography INPHO.
Aside from the photo of Gazza, he came back from Italia '90 with this famed picture of Ireland goalkeeper Packie Bonner springing to his right and stopping Daniel Timofte's penalty against Romania:
Packie Bonner gives a nation back its breathe ©INPHO / Billy Stickland
Billy joined us on Team 33 this week to chat to us about what it was like to be behind the lens at that tournament and others, the moments that led up to the Gazza Tears photo, as well as touching on how sports photography has changed in the quarter of a century since the 1990 World Cup.
Listen to the full interview on the podcast player just below or download on iTunes:
At the end of our chat, Billy also picked out three of his football photos that he was particularly proud of from both Italia 90 and another famous day at the old Landsdowne Road.
Cameroon, 1990
Cameroon players celebrate
©INPHO / Billy Stickland
"I took a photo of the Cameroon players jumping on top of each other which because they were a very strong story in the World Cup, I was very happy with that one."
Paul Gascoigne, 1990
England's Paul Gascoigne cries at the end of the semi-final against Germany
©INPHO/Billy Stickland
"Obviously Paul Gascoigne is another one I'm very happy with. It's really a reflection of what happened to Gazza after the World Cup in 1990 that makes it so interesting and poignant."
Roy Keane, 2001
Roy Keane of Ireland tackles Marc Overmars of Holland
©INPHO/Billy Stickland
"I did another one which actually worked quite well. Remember when Jason McAteer scored the goal for Ireland to beat Holland for the 2002 tournament. In the first minute, Roy Keane clattered into Marc Overmars and it actually set the tone for the whole game and I got the photograph of him clattering in."
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