Power Ranking: Top 10 greatest players to play soccer in the US
By Kris Whelan
No.2- George Best
Best is remembered as one of the most talented players of all time. Many believe that he joins Pele and Maradona as one of the top three players in history. He could use either foot and danced with the ball, scoring at will. He made his name at Manchester United, winning two league titles and one European cup in which he scored in the final. He won European Footballer of the Year in 1968, the year he finished top scorer in the league and won the European championship. Plagued by problems off the field, Best left Man United at the age of 28 when many believed he still had a lot to offer. He won 37 caps for Northern Ireland, scoring nine goals.
"“George Best was one of the most talented players of all time and probably the best footballer who never made it to a major world final”- World Cup winning Germany captain Franz Beckenbauer."
Best was born in Belfast, Northern Ireland in 1946 and moved to Manchester after being discovered at 15 years old. He broke in to the Man United first team and excelled to fame and recognition. His natural soccer talent was the stuff of legend, widely regarded as the best footballer to play for Man United. In addition to gaining world wide recognition on the field, Best earned a lot of attention outside of football for living a playboy lifestyle which ultimately cost him his job at Man United.
He won two English league titles with Man United and one European Cup, but after 361 games his relationship with the management grew stale due to his partying and lack of professionalism. His behavior has contributed to many stories, some are true and some are myth. One tale that isn’t disputed is when he missed a match against Chelsea so he could spend a weekend with actress Sinead Cusack. Another would be when he went missing from training for a week in order to spend it with Miss World in a hotel room. He reportedly showed up to training intoxicated on occasion and eventually the club had enough, loaning him out twice before selling him in 1975.
"“I was born with a great gift, and sometimes with that comes a destructive streak. Just as I wanted to outdo everyone when I played, I had to outdo everyone when we were out on the town” – Best on his antics off the field"
His off the field problems lead him to 16 clubs other than Man United throughout his career, and though it goes without saying his best years were in Manchester, the Northern Irishman showed glimpses of his talent when he moved to America. He played with Los Angelas Aztecs twice, the Fort Lauderdale Strikers and San Jose Earthquakes.
It’s widely accepted that if Best wasn’t plagued by alcoholism his career would have gone a lot differently and he would have won far more individual and team accolades and championships. However he continued his party lifestyle up until his death in 2005. He continued to drink after getting a liver transplant, this lead to a serious decline in health and ultimately he died following massive organ failure. Tributes poured in for the Northern Irishman, many people lauding him as the greatest ever.
"“From 1964 to 1969, he was the best player in the country.” – Dennis Law,Man United legend and teammate of Best “George Best was the greatest player in the world.” – Pele, World Cup winner and Brazil legend."
Next: No.1- Pele