Best was simply the best, overcome by fame and alcohol and the weaknesses of his own flawed character. But oh, what a joy to behold in his prime - the greatest ever in the world, in the world's game...

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"A man's work is nothing but this slow trek to rediscover, through the detours of art, those two or three great and simple images in whose presence his heart first opened."

I vaguely heard about this even though I don't know very much about soccer. It reminds me of what happened to Mickey Mantle. It is also another example of why I am never going to drink a drop of alcohol. Can you tell me about George Best's career though? I know nothing about that.

A Belfast man he went to Manchester United in the mid-sixties as an apprentice with that club. Soon worked his way up through the ranks to play with the senior side at 16 years of age. A gifted player; slight build but rugged tackler, and adept in 'riding' tackles from often violent opponents who became frustrated at his deft touch on the ball. A 'dribbler' - skillfully swerving through opposing players whilst keeping control of the football; 'selling-dummies' and generally making opponents look like fools.

He won the European Championship with United in 1968 under the legendary manager (coach) Matt Busby. He was European footballer of the year and gave many classic performances for Northern Ireland. Pele named him 'the best player in the world.

Best played for a while in the US when the NASL took off with Pele et al in the early 80s. It was toward the end of his career - well, his real career was over by then - and it was the last time I saw him play in person. Still gifted and a delight to watch he played with some side or other against Seattle; I know the game was at the Kingdome at any rate. San Antonio? Did they have a team?

My wife met him last year, though I never met or spoke with him. A quiet, shy man, by all accounts, who could not handle the fame which his talent inevitably brought. He hid, in public, in the bottle. For him - peace now.

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"A man's work is nothing but this slow trek to rediscover, through the detours of art, those two or three great and simple images in whose presence his heart first opened."

That's sad. I prayed for him. Why doesn't American television ever show European soccer?

It does. On ESPN. I was going to post a tribute thread to Best but you beat me to it nawbut so I'll post my tribute here.


Best was with out a doubt, the best player to have ever played and he was a joy to watch, he was truly football's Van Gough and his genius will never be forgotten. May he rest in peace.


If you want to know more about him, read his obiturary here.
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article...890892,00.html

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It's the difference between suicide and slow capitulation... - Jim Morrison

After reading that article, his life and career sound almost exactly like those of Mickey Mantle. I haven't watched much television lately. When I last did, only one American channel had any European soccer on it- and then only rarely. I've seen David Beckham play, but based on that article, George Best was even greater.

Beckham is pathetic when compared to Best. In fact he isn't that good compared to many current players. As Best said 'He can't use his left foot, he can't head, he can't takle and he doesn't score very often. apart from that he's good.

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It's the difference between suicide and slow capitulation... - Jim Morrison

I'm an American. Forgive my ignorance. What English soccer players are better than David Beckham? A few years ago, I followed Premier League soccer quite closely, but I haven't lately. My favorite team was always Arsenal.

If we are to have a football discusion then please can you not use the word soccer.

Do you wan to know which English players are better than him or whitch players in the Premiership are better? BTW Beckham plays in La Liga in Spain.

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It's the difference between suicide and slow capitulation... - Jim Morrison

I heard that he went to Spain. I meant any player who could play for the English team in the World Cup. By the way, where does Bobby Charlton rank among the all-time greats? Wasn't he the one who scored three goals to win the World Cup for England in 1966?