50 years of George Best - The first superstar footballer

A supporter of Russia poses for a photograph in front of a graffiti tribute to George Best.

With the European Cup and footballer of the year award in his trophy cabinet, so much more seemed destined for George Best, but he would never know the entirety of it. On that warm night in May 1968, he had already reached the pinnacle of his career at the tender age of just 22 years. After achieving the zenith of their success, Manchester United approached the crossroads as the Busby era ended and an ageing side was dismantled.

As the team started to fall into pieces, Georgie started to lose interest. The tackles that he shrugged off as a teenager, now provoked retaliation. Battles with the authorities mounted. And alcohol, that had once been a lubricant for success, now became the refuge from defeat.

The days of the mercurial Irishman weaving his magic on Old Trafford’s wings had long gone. He had been the greatest player of his time, but his time on the world stage was over. After 470 appearances, 179 goals, two league titles and a European Cup, George Best left Manchester United in January 1974.

After leaving United, Georgie became a kind of journeyman, making his football comebacks in various clubs across the globe. But it was his personal demons, most obvious of which was alcohol, that he always struggled to cope with until he died in November 2005.

Besides all the front page stories that he created in the latter half of his career, George Best always wanted to be remembered for the back page headlines. The memories that he left are sufficient to say that the world has seen the best of George Best. Perhaps it was his vulnerability and his public battle with alcoholism, but he never lost the love of his many fans. Despite his continual battles with drinks, and the many medical problems that he had endured, George Best will remain loved and admired by everyone who ever saw him play. A true legend in the history of football.