George Best: Northern Irish association football player (1946-2005)

He played as a winger. Best played most of his club career at Manchester United. Best is said to be one of the best players in the history of the sport. He was named European Footballer of the Year in 1968 and came fifth in the FIFA Player of the Century vote. Best received praise for his playing style. It combined pace, skill, balance, feints, goalscoring and the ability to get past defenders. In Belfast, where Best was born, they named the airport after him.

George Best

Best with Northern Ireland in 1976
Personal information
Full name	George Best
Date of birth	(1946-05-22)22 May 1946
Place of birth	Belfast, Northern Ireland
Date of death	25 November 2005(2005-11-25) (aged 59)
Place of death	South Kensington, London, England
Height	5 ft 9 in (1.75 m)
Position(s)	Winger, attacking midfielder
Youth career
	Cregagh Boys Club
1961–1963	Manchester United
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
1963–1974	Manchester United	361	(137)
1974	Jewish Guild	5	(0)
1975	Stockport County	3	(2)
1975–1976	Cork Celtic	3	(0)
1976	Los Angeles Aztecs	23	(15)
1976–1977	Fulham	42	(8)
1977–1978	Los Angeles Aztecs	32	(12)
1978–1979	Fort Lauderdale Strikers	28	(6)
1979–1980	Hibernian	17	(3)
1980–1981	San Jose Earthquakes	56	(21)
1982–1983	AFC Bournemouth	5	(0)
1983	Brisbane Lions	4	(0)
Total		688	(246)
National team
1964–1977	Northern Ireland	37	(9)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only

Both of Best's marriages ended in divorce. He was married to Angie Best from 1978-1986; the couple had a son, Calum Best. George Best was married to Alex Best from 1995-2004.

Best was an alcoholic. He had a liver transplant in 2003. He died of a lung infection and multiple organ failure in London.

Club