George Best, 1946-2005

George Best was a genius, a magician, a legend and arguably the most talented footballer of any generation. No one was faster, braver, more clever or destructive. And while Pele, Cruyff, and Maradona were stunning, Best was sublime, possessing a bit of each in his game and more. His engine rivaled that of Manchester City legend Colin Bell and Frank Lampard of Chelsea, he shot the ball from both feet with equal brilliance, and was unstoppable in the air. It's often said that the best judges of a footballer are the players themselves and if you speak to anyone who trained or played alongside Bestie, they'll tell you the same thing - he took your breath away.

I awoke this morning to find that the man named by Pele as the greatest footballer of all time had passed just hours before at the age of 59. Born 10 years too late, I never had the pleasure of witnessing his genius on the pitches of Europe, but I'll be forever grateful for the impact he had on my life and that of others, as well as the beautiful game. Whatever your views on Bestie.. that he was an icon, a wasted talent, a tabloid alcoholic, or simply the soft-spoken bloke on Sky Soccer Saturday, take solace that his demons are finally behind him.


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Times Online Obituary: George Best was the most talented British football player of his and arguably of any generation. He appeared to play and read the game at a different pace from those around him. He possessed dribbling skills which, in the words of his team mate Pat Crerand, could leave opposing defenders with “twisted blood”, and a balance which enabled him to ride or avert the most ruthless tackles, which his reputation and ability to humiliate the hard men of the game inevitably attracted. His goal-scoring record was phenomenal for a winger. Best was quick, brave, and a sublime passer of the ball when he could curb his natural inclination to hold onto it for as long as possible. At his best, he gave the impression that thought and execution were a seamless whole, and at all times he approached the game with the passion and excitement of a young boy. Even the incomparable Pelé once called him “the greatest footballer in the world”.

George Best Tributes - Premier League
Football Mourns George Best Death - BBC Sport
Best Man - BBC Sport
Football Legend George Best Dies - Financial Times

All Premier League matches this weekend will conduct a one minute's silence prior to the kick off to honor Best for his sublime footballing skills and the special contribution he made to the game.

George Best, footballer, was born on May 22, 1946. He died on November 25, 2005, aged 59. Rest in peace, Bestie.