Best's legacy still shines brightly

Only two footballers have airports named after them.

One is George Best, the other is Cristiano Ronaldo. This, in itself, betrays the sheer size and allure of Manchester United but, also, how revered these two magical performers are, transcending the sport.

Best, the Belfast boy, catapulted football into a new era in the 1960s, when overcoming homesickness to burst onto the scene under Matt Busby and bewitch everybody with his mesmeric talents.

Those who saw him play will tell you that he had everything - far more than the legendary dribbling skills. He was brave and tough. He had to be. Perhaps, above all, he was an entertainer.

And the United crowd adored him.

It is hard to believe it is 20 years since we said farewell to Best. The first of our 'Holy Trinity' to pass away, sadly now joined by Sir Bobby Charlton and Denis Law, with the three Old Trafford icons immortalised in their statue outside the East Stand.

The outpouring of affection for the Northern Irishman was remarkable, indicating just what he stood for as a charismatic player who provided so much flair and excitement for those who followed his exploits.

At his funeral, United fan Brian Kennedy sang a touching rendition of 'You Raise Me Up' and one additional line - “to more than I can be” seemed particularly poignant about a lad from the Wee Country who had laid claim to being the greatest footballer who ever played the game, daring others to dream of what they can achieve.

Best, famously, never played at a World Cup finals. Just as well publicised is the fact his United career was over by the time he was 27. Although he represented other clubs, it marked the end of his playing days at the top level and pre-empted an embarrassing relegation for the Reds.

After long-running issues with addiction, he also died tragically young, aged only 59.

Yet his legacy remains firmly intact and, presumably, always will do, for as long as we all watch the beautiful game.

When George won the Ballon d'Or in 1968 (he was also third three years later), it received little of the fanfare it does nowadays. The award was recognition of just how much the European Cup-winner's ability was respected far from these shores and he will always be mentioned in any conversation about the best player of all time. 

Another man with claims to that accolade, Pele, described the United icon as the greatest and, while we only have precious few excerpts of video footage to marvel at his genius, this winger with magnetic charm never fails to capture the imagination for later generations.

Norman Whiteside, who followed in his countryman's footsteps and had to endure unfair comparisons as a teenager told us: “I was lucky to meet George on many occasions and he was a lovely guy, off the park. If you hadn't met him, he was a well-read guy and down to the fact that he could even be shy.

”You wouldn't think that but, to go back to the football, he was the best there was and appropriately named.“

The numbers being produced by Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi are extraordinary. When you compare them, even allowing for their longevity to dwarf the spell at the top enjoyed by Best, you can suggest it is difficult to make an argument that George was the greater player.

Yet could you also forward the case that, without the precociously talented wide man making such a huge impact, would there even have been the room for such individual brilliance in a team sport? Would there have been the same level of scrutiny and fascination enjoyed today, had it not been for Best, who made people fall head over heels in love with football?

Quite possibly but the fact remains that Best was a trailblazer, a celebrity outside of the working man's game, while still playing it. The sixties were a time of great cultural change and he was at the forefront of it.

For many, Best was a roguish superstar and a simply stupendous footballer who broke the mould and would look to win, while entertaining at the same time.

He will be forever missed but never forgotten, particularly at Old Trafford, where the crowd celebrated his contribution again before the game against Everton on Monday night.