George Best.

[Pin-seeker]

Totally different game today.
Best wouldn’t have got the “protection” that today’s divas get from the refs.

 

[Robster59]

If you look at the tackles Best had to dodge, and the shocking quality of the pitches then, the skill of Best still shines through and he didn't dive at the slightest tickle. It was a much tougher game then.

 

[Tashyboy]

Pele saying that Best is the best he has seen, says as much about Pele the person as it does about Pele the footballer. Could not imagine for one minute that Ronaldo would ever say that about Messi. His sulking ego would get in the way.

during Bests playing career at Utd, whilst he won the ballon dor once, Pele won it three times. Pele won it a total of seven times. He was also voted player of the century.

 

[Lord Tyrion]

He was Utd 63-74, in that time he won the League twice, European Cup, Player of the year, European Footballer of the Year, Ballon D’Or Winner. In that time he’d of been judged against the World’s best, Pele, Beckenbauer, Charlton etc.
He’d of never won international honours playing for NI.

Thanks Paul. My perception was that he only played at his peak for 3-4 years. I didn't realise he played at that level for so long.

Unfortunately, my memory of him growing up is not good, obvious reasons, and with a lack of much tv coverage of that period it has skewed my knowledge.

 

[Hobbit]

He was Utd 63-74, in that time he won the League twice, European Cup, Player of the year, European Footballer of the Year, Ballon D’Or Winner. In that time he’d of been judged against the World’s best, Pele, Beckenbauer, Charlton etc.
He’d of never won international honours playing for NI.

Although with Utd till '74 I can remember him going missing, not turning up to training for several weeks at a time in the last few years. Basically from Busby's retirement onwards Utd didn't have a manager capable of at least keeping some control of him.

As Chrisd said, he was a Messi, and I'd rate him as that good.

Even though Middlesbrough had Juninho, who was very similar in style and revered, Best was light years ahead.

 

[Piece]

Pele saying that Best is the best he has seen, says as much about Pele the person as it does about Pele the footballer. Could not imagine for one minute that Ronaldo would ever say that about Messi. His sulking ego would get in the way.

during Bests playing career at Utd, whilst he won the ballon dor once, Pele won it three times. Pele won it a total of seven times. He was also voted player of the century.

It largely helped that Pele played for an internationally brilliant team and his off field lifestyle wasn’t in the same league as Best’s!

I only saw Best right at the end of his career but I know from what I’ve seen live, TV and through testimonials we was the best player for me. I’m not comparing records, it is just pure footballing ability.

I’m also sure that there were also other players that were as good skill wise, but just never made. Like that guy I’ve heard at Reading, I think, Robin Friday? Richart will know here!

 

[Deleted member 16999]

Although with Utd till '74 I can remember him going missing, not turning up to training for several weeks at a time in the last few years. Basically from Busby's retirement onwards Utd didn't have a manager capable of at least keeping some control of him.

As Chrisd said, he was a Messi, and I'd rate him as that good.

Even though Middlesbrough had Juninho, who was very similar in style and revered, Best was light years ahead.

His personality and issues undoubtedly overshadowed his talent at times, he was probably the first media superstar and his mistakes helped future clubs and players avoid making the same mistakes.

As for not reaching his potential, that’s just daft!

Tashy, I don’t think he was as good as Pele, but Pele was, once again, a different level who played in one of the greatest National teams ever.

Both selected in the FIFA team of the 20th Century.

 

[Tashyboy]

Always liked the story about Bestie when he was in bed with Miss World. The bed was covered in pound notes of all descriptions. Empty champagne bottles and the room service boy said " where did it all go wrong Mr Best". Apparantly mike Summerbee of City, Bestie and a few others were good drinking partners 😳

 

[User62651]

Wouldn't argue with Best having as much talent as anyone, wasted talent to some degree. Can't believe anyone puts Ronaldo (current version not fat Ronaldo) as greatest ever. Couldn't lace Maradona's boots. CR7 plays in a fabulous team in a league with little competiiton. I know Diego isn't popular in England for obvious reasons but for me he's still the best ever, what he did at little Napoli when SerieA was the best football league in the world and defenders were hatchet men was unreal. We just didn't see much of it as tv didn't generally cover domestic leagues abroad then.

 

[Blue in Munich]

Always liked the story about Bestie when he was in bed with Miss World. The bed was covered in pound notes of all descriptions. Empty champagne bottles and the room service boy said " where did it all go wrong Mr Best". Apparantly mike Summerbee of City, Bestie and a few others were good drinking partners 

Prefer the one when he was introduced to (I believe) one of West Brom's full backs. The full back takes Best by the shoulders, turns him round and, looking at the rear view said "Oh yes, so it is."

Best was the best of his era, as Jack Nicklaus was in his. As much was the new generation have moved the bar up, they have done so with the benefit of better playing surfaces, better equipment and better knowledge of nutrition, training, etc. If you put a young George Best or a young Jack Nicklaus amongst their peers, my money's on the old guys.

 

[Papas1982]

Prefer the one when he was introduced to (I believe) one of West Brom's full backs. The full back takes Best by the shoulders, turns him round and, looking at the rear view said "Oh yes, so it is."

Best was the best of his era, as Jack Nicklaus was in his. As much was the new generation have moved the bar up, they have done so with the benefit of better playing surfaces, better equipment and better knowledge of nutrition, training, etc. If you put a young George Best or a young Jack Nicklaus amongst their peers, my money's on the old guys.

I think Nicklaus with all the modern gear would certainly be a good shout.

Best, for all the talent would have even more money and temptations. I'd like to hope he'd do better, but i fear he's not have got anywhere near as far after signing for 100k a week wages at 18.......

 

[richart]

Prefer the one when he was introduced to (I believe) one of West Brom's full backs. The full back takes Best by the shoulders, turns him round and, looking at the rear view said "Oh yes, so it is."

Best was the best of his era, as Jack Nicklaus was in his. As much was the new generation have moved the bar up, they have done so with the benefit of better playing surfaces, better equipment and better knowledge of nutrition, training, etc. If you put a young George Best or a young Jack Nicklaus amongst their peers, my money's on the old guys.

So he was better than Pele. Pele and Best played most of their best football in the 60's.

I remember seeing Pele practicing penalties. He put a stick just further than a ball width inside the posts, and it was amazing how many times he could put the ball between sticks and post. Like all great players had amazing balance. Even if they went to ground they just bounced up. Pele scored so many great goals, but strangely is often remembered for two he missed. The dummy on the keeper in 1970 World Cup, when he let ball run oneside, and he went the other. Then screwd his shot just past the post from a tight angle. He also tried to score from the halfway line in the same World Cup, beat the keeper, but ball just went past the post.

Best was the best player I have seen in the English leagues. Just beats Robin Friday, though he was a light weight compared To Friday's off field antics.

 

[Hobbit]

Prefer the one when he was introduced to (I believe) one of West Brom's full backs. The full back takes Best by the shoulders, turns him round and, looking at the rear view said "Oh yes, so it is."
.

I played amateur league with an ex-West Brom fullback, he was in his 40's by then. He was exceptional even then. Maybe the same guy. He said he didn't lay a glove on Best all match, and by the end of the game he felt like a park player.

 

[Liverbirdie]

I never seen George best live, and I'm sure some wont give me unbiased credence as a Liverpool fan.

George Best was obviously a showman and being a flawed genius always gets you bonus points.

But come on, Pele scored over a thousand goals in his career, won 3 world cups.

At club level, he won the league 10 times at a reasonably unfashionable club who have won it 22 times in total, but 10 whilst he was there. He has won the Copa Libertadores at club level twice (equivalent of the EC), plus tonnes of other trophies.

Granted Best played for NI, whilst Pele played for arguably the best ever international side, but if you also look at what he won at club level in a tough league, and I'm sure Pele was a big reason for the international success.

International

Brazil

• FIFA World Cup (3): 1958, 1962, 1970[SUP][135][/SUP]
• Roca Cup (2): 1957, 1963[SUP][136][/SUP][SUP][137][/SUP]
• Cruz Cup (3): 1958, 1962, 1968[SUP][58][/SUP][SUP][138][/SUP]
• Bernardo O'Higgins Cup (1): 1959[SUP][139][/SUP]
• Atlantic Cup (1): 1960[SUP][140][/SUP]

Club

Santos

• Campeonato Paulista (10): 1958, 1960, 1961, 1962, 1964, 1965, 1967, 1968, 1969, 1973[SUP][note 4][/SUP]
• Torneio Rio-São Paulo (4): 1959, 1963, 1964 [SUP][note 5][/SUP][SUP][126][/SUP]
• Campeonato Brasileiro Série A (6): 1961, 1962, 1963, 1964, 1965, 1968[SUP][143][/SUP]
• Copa Libertadores (2): 1962, 1963[SUP][144][/SUP][SUP][145][/SUP]
• Intercontinental Cup (2): 1962, 1963[SUP][2[/SUP]
  
  If you said that Best was the best dribbler, I couldnt argue, but come on???????

Oh aye, and he escaped from the Nazis........

 

[Imurg]

Pele probably produced the best piece of football ever when he laid off the ball to Carlos Alberto to score Brazil's 4th in the '70 World Cup final.
Didn't need to look to his right, just gently played it across.
Genius.
Best is the best these islands have produced though...

 

[guest100718]

Pele won three World Cups, the first one when he was 17. He was the best player in the world for probably 12 years, and his scoring record was better than Messi and Ronaldo at club and International level. Best player I have ever seen.

Great player that he was, his 1000+ goals record is dubious at best... much like Romarios

 

[Deleted member 15344]

It’s very hard to judge when you don’t see them live , in my time Messi then Maradona are the best players I have seen.

Seeing old footage of Best it’s clear he was a very talented player who ghosted past players but for me it’s always hard to judge the person without thinking that he was given a second chance in life and decided to disgracefully throw it away by drinking his new liver away

Pele just looked like he played with a smile on his face - but It’s hard to judge how competitive that Brazil League was

If either of them where anywhere near the ability of Messi then they must have been very special players

 

[MegaSteve]

Never looked past Georgie as the best player I've seen... Think on modern day pitches with the lighter ball etc he'd absolutely revel in it... Whereas I am not so sure modern day players would fare so well if they'd played back in the day...

As for Pele... Note he used to practice his 'skills'...
Don't believe George had to as he was the tops without the need...

 

[tugglesf239]

Ronaldinho must be up there in terms of pure skill.

I don’t watch the game anymore but at his peak he was utterly magic.

Might not have had the honours that the 3 main mentions got, but that’s a somehat misleading comparison as it’s a team sport.

 

[Deleted member 16999]

but for me it’s always hard to judge the person without thinking that he was given a second chance in life and decided to disgracefully throw it away by drinking his new liver away

Best played his last competitive game in 1984, he had his liver transplant in 2002, absolutely no bearing on his playing career!

And if your judging the man are you ignoring Maradonna’s drug addiction?