Video: Maradona good, Pele better, George Best

On the 5th anniversary of George Best’s death we pay tribute to football’s first superstar.

Plagued with problems off field, George was a genius on field and when he turned it on (and at times when he didn’t) was unbearable. None will forget him scoring 6 of United’s 8 goals in a rout of Northampton Town in the FA Cup or him being the club’s top scorer 6 seasons in a row.

Recognised for his ability by all, United scout Bob Bishop famously told Sir Matt Busby, “Boss, I think I’ve found you a genius” when he first spotted Best and years later the same sentiment would be echoed by Pele who described George as “the greatest player in the world”.

George would win various trophies at United including the league and European Cup as well as personal accolades like PFA and European Footballer of the Year awards to verify his credentials as one of the games top players but as his career went on and he fell out of favour at Old Trafford he would move on to teams less deserving of a player of his ability.

Nobody is perfect and for all his talent he did have problems off field as I have mentioned before but if you ask anyone about what he did and what he is known for, then they will tell you he was one of the finest footballers the world has ever seen.