Football world pays tribute to George Best on 20th anniversary of his death
The football world has paid tribute to Red Devils legend George Best 20 years after his death, reports BritPanorama.
Often celebrated as one of the greatest footballers to ever grace the pitch, Best remains an enduring icon two decades since his passing. The Northern Irish legend joined Manchester United as a teenager, discovered by scout Bob Bishop, who famously told manager Matt Busby, “I think I’ve found you a genius.”
Known for his dazzling dribbling, low centre of gravity, and fearless creativity, he led United to win the 1968 European Cup and became the youngest player to score in a final. That same year, Best claimed the prestigious Ballon d’Or award.
George Best died on November 25, 2005, at the age of 59, remembered as a Manchester United legend and a football revolutionary. The Northern Ireland national team led tributes, posting: “Twenty years on, we remember George Best. The Belfast boy whose talent lit up the world. A legend who changed football forever. Never forgotten.”
Under the touching tribute, one fan wrote: “We will never be blessed with anyone as special as Georgie Best.” Another added: “The REAL meaning of ‘Legend.’ Rest in peace, George.”
During a match at Old Trafford, Manchester United fans stood to applaud the legend. The club posted: “Old Trafford legend to applaud the late, great George Best, who passed away on November 25, 2005. Gone but NEVER forgotten.” One fan commented: “The wizard of the wing—dribbling into legend status. Miss you, Georgie.”
Speaking on GB News, Eamonn Holmes described Best as his “personal hero,” noting that the footballer’s family had personally invited him to conduct the service at Parliament Buildings in 2005. “I wanted to be like him. I wanted to wear my socks like him, my shirt outside my shorts, socks down around my ankles—all of it,” he recalled. “Obviously, nobody could play like him, but what an influence. What a guy.”
Another observer reflected on the lasting impact of Best, saying, “Good Lord, 20 years since we lost him. I was blessed to see him play. The whole stadium would hold its breath when he got the ball. A magical, once-in-a-lifetime footballer.”
After all these years, the nostalgia surrounding George Best highlights how deeply intertwined his legacy is with the very fabric of football. In a sport where legends rise and fade, Best’s brilliance continues to resonate as a reminder of excellence and artistry, transforming the game evermore.
