George Best: Football Legend
George Best (May 22, 1946 – November 25, 2005) was a Northern Irish footballer who played with Manchester United and the Northern Ireland national team. He was the leading scorer for Manchester United in the Football League First Division (1967-1968).
George Best George Best’s career ended when he was 25 years old. He was unable to cope with the pressure of being a star footballer. Although he attempted comebacks with smaller clubs, he was never successful.
Greatest Sporting Achievements
Best won the European Cup with Manchester United in 1968 where he was named European Footballer of the Year and FWA Footballer of the Year.
Why Was He So Good?
George Best was football’s first true superstar. He always did the unthinkable on and off the pitch. He didn’t just beat the defenders – he tormented them. Best was a master of ball power and manipulation but didn’t have any control of him. He proved to be a typical, instructive tale of talent and self-destruction. And even if he haven’t acknowledged that he had never accomplished the fullness of his massive potential, he still have been the best player to step on the pitch.
What You May Not Know
- He was football’s first celebrity, dubbing him “El Beatle” – the fifth member of The Beatles.
- George Best suffered from alcoholism throughout his entire life. It was even the cause of his death.
- He dropped out of high school at the age of 15 and hoped to pursue a career in soccer but he was told that he would never make it into the pro leagues because of his height. He was five feet and five inches tall that time.
- George Best used to be homesick that he only stayed for two days before going back home to Northern Ireland after first moving to the club.
Was he a legend?
Do you agree with George Best being a legend of football / soccer?
How would you rate their greatness? (from good to 'the best')
Related Pages
- Best won the Ballon d'Or in 1968
- More profiles of legend football players
- About Manchester United FC
- About Football (Soccer)
- Athlete Database home
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