Best, perhaps most famously, never competed in a World Cup finals. Equally well known is the fact that his illustrious career at Manchester United concluded when he was just 27. Though he went on to play for other clubs, that early retirement marked the end of his time at the elite level and foreshadowed a disappointing relegation for the Reds.
After struggling for years with addiction, he tragically passed away at the young age of 59.
Nevertheless, his legacy remains strong and will undoubtedly endure as long as fans continue to celebrate the beautiful game.
When George won the Ballon d’Or in 1968—an achievement he would replicate with a third-place finish three years later—there was far less fanfare compared to today’s celebrations. This award highlighted the immense respect for the European Cup winner’s talent beyond his home country, ensuring he is forever part of any discussion about the greatest players in history.
Pele, another contender for that title, regarded the United legend as the greatest, and while we have only a limited amount of video footage to showcase his brilliance, this magnetic winger continues to inspire future generations.
Norman Whiteside, who followed in Best’s footsteps and faced unfair comparisons as a young player, shared, “I was fortunate to meet George on many occasions, and he was a genuinely lovely person off the pitch. If you didn’t know him, you’d be surprised to learn how well-read and, at times, shy he could be.”
“You wouldn’t expect that, but when it came to football, he truly was the best and was aptly named.”
