George Best was football's flawed genius, the superstar with the ball at his feet who could never leave the bar - twenty years hasn't even come close to diminishing the memories
10:22, 25 Nov 2025
George Best passed away 20 years ago
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George Best passed away 20 years ago(Image: Mirrorpix via Getty Images)
The passing of time might have soothed the pain of George Best's death.
But two decades don't even come close to diminishing the memories of one of the greatest footballers of all time. On this day in 2005, the sport lost one of its most gifted and colourful characters.
Someone with stardust in his boots and a twinkle in his eye. The bloke from Belfast who bamboozled opponents with gifts bestowed on him by the footballing gods.
But also someone who chose to put fame, fortune and females (in no particular order), before his football. The ultimate flawed genius. "If I'd have been ugly," Best once said, "you'd never have heard of Pele."
He had it all. The talent, wealth, charm and charisma needed to create the perfect storm when it came to whirlwind life of exception and excess.
George Best lived a life of excess
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George Best lived a life of excess(Image: mirrorpix)
He didn't just burn the candle at both ends. He set wherever he went on fire, whether this be a football pitch, casino or nightclub. he put the 'play' and 'boy' into playboy.
With the ball at his feet, no-one could get close to him. Unfortunately, the bar never left his side.
The goals, dribbling and sheer audacity of a footballer who knew he could do whatever he wanted are too common to mention.
George Best was one of the most gifted footballers of all-time
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George Best was one of the most gifted footballers of all-time(Image: PA)
Making mugs out of England World Cup winners Gordon Banks and Nobby Stiles, or scoring the goal which catapulted Manchester United towards European Cup glory over Benfica at Wembley in 1968.
Two years earlier Best had run Benfica ragged in Lisbon in the same competition. The teenager disembarked the plane in a sombrero when arriving home - and a sporting legend and cultural icon had been born.
He became famous and infamous in equal measure. Along with Denis Law and Sir Bobby Charlton, Best went on to form the 'Holy Trinity', one which is cast in bronze outside Old Trafford.
George Best never got on with Bobby Charlton
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George Best never got on with Bobby Charlton(Image: Popperfoto via Getty Images)
But Best never got on with Charlton.
He scoffed at Charlton's dedication and discipline, to such an extent that while preparing to write a newspaper column (in a Manchester pub, obviously), he could be seen throwing raw eggs at a poster of his team-mate which hung on the wall.
That was Best. He did things he knew people would disapprove of - and didn't care. The late Sir Matt Busby could do little to control Best. And when he could, it was all too little, too late.
George Best passed away in 2005
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George Best passed away in 2005(Image: FilmMagic)
Because Best was incapable of helping himself, let alone accepting some from those around him.
The demon drink had taken an unshakeable grip on Best, whose life post-football continued to spiral into one of self indulgence in an alcoholic haze.
He died before his 60th birthday from continued liver failure. But not before leaving all those who followed his life with a combination of awe and sadness, with another indulgence.
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One of remarkable memories.