“I definitely don’t think that money can buy you love. It can buy you affection, but certainly not love”– George Best

Extraordinary skills. Agility. Nice flair. His name: George Best! One of the most talented footballers from Northern Ireland. First starred for Manchester United in 1963 and was named European Footballer of the Year in 1968.

At the age of 11, Best won a scholarship to the local grammar school Grosvenor High where, he had to play only rugby. George was lost without his beloved football and began to skip school. Inevitably he was caught out, decided to turn back to his old Lisnasharragh Secondary School. Back with his old friends from primary school and a ball.

He was born in Belfast, Northern Ireland, in 1946, and was one of the most dazzling and attractive footballers of his generation. Growing up in a protestant family, he was spotted by a scout, named Bob Bishop, working for Manchester United. He recognized George’s love for football.

His mother said: “with George it was always the ball!”

Later, he became a member of the Manchester United team. The beautiful George won together with his teammates the First Division title in 1965 and 1967. One year later, in 1968 he led his club to a European Cup triumph. Best is justifiably named the European Footballer of the Year and the FWA Footballer of the Year.

Overall, the small person with the enormous talent, played for 11 years, 361 games, and scored 137 goals. In 1983, George finally ended his football Career with Bournemouth, although he did go on to play in numerous charity and friendly matches.

Negative sites of life

Due to his ability to dribble past his opponents, he seemed to catch the ball every time. Being a real game winner, was a confirmation and at the same time a course. Outside of the game, things went less well. It seemed to be difficult and strange for him to deal with his fame and wealth. Three things were the significant points, which changed his life: party, drinks and women.

“They say I slept with seven Miss Worlds. I didn’t. It was only four. I didn’t turn up for the other three,” he explained.

Hard-partying lifestyle

As successful as Best was in his football career, so negative things evolved in his personal life. His love of the nightlife took its toll. Many years of heavy drinking finally resulted in severe liver damage. After years of alcoholism that led to a liver transplant, in 2002. Best, died at London’s Cromwell Hospital on November 25, 2005, from multiple organ failure, at the age of 59.

As his career progressed, his off the field troubles increasingly affected his performance. Ups and downs followed. Towards the end of his career, Best would be increasingly missing training practices and his top end speed fell off.

Unfortunately, alcoholism got him into trouble. He was once arrested for drinking while driving and assaulting a police officer. George often presented himself with high amount of alcohol in his blood. There were embarrassing moments, and he knew that is would reach his lowest point in his career- in his whole life.

Treatment

Then, in 2002, because of his heavy drinking, he was given a liver transplant on the NHS. But it doesn’t help. Three years later, he got leaver complications as a result of medicine. He took a long battle against his sickness. But he didn’t managed to beat his health problems. Finally, he lost his battle for life. After his death, a minutes of silence was observed at football grounds around the country.

In his last day, George said: “I was born with a great gift, and sometimes with that comes a destructive streak. It is very easy to get out of the right road, to drift and get in touch with alcohol and drugs. The jet set lifestyle and love of partying became an obsession. This contributed to my alcoholic problems, which dogged the majority of my adult life. And now, look at me, I’m laying down on a bed. Neither playing football again, nor do anything else. I’m done.”

In his last years, George was passionate about raising funds for liver research. Alcohol addiction was something that he could not conquer. But he was determined to do everything he could to prevent others from following the same path. The Foundation “George Best” was built, to fulfill his wish.

Pat Jennings, one of his opponents, later said:

“He was the finest player I ever played with or against. I treasure my memories of him even though on occasions he made me look rather foolish.”

“Forget about the rest of his life. He was the most wonderful player. He could do things that no one else could do. He was a talent that comes once in a century,” Greg Dyke, former BBC Director.

You will stay the Best, Best! God bless you!

The post George Best- (George) Best is the Best appeared first on MottoCosmos.com.