Best family’s pride as ‘Belfast boy still holds place in world football’
NI legend’s ‘extraordinary talent’ hailed as he makes Ballon d’or third team line-up
THE family of Manchester United legend George Best said it was a fitting tribute to see him named in France Football’s third best XI of all-time — but believe he could have made the first team.
The late Northern Ireland international was placed in a front three alongside French World Cup winner Thierry Henry and Dutch striker Marco van Basten.
France Football revealed three Ballon d’or dream teams made up of all-time greats earlier this week.
With the prestigious individual prize cancelled for the first time in its 64-year history due to Covid-19, the French magazine instead asked 140 journalists to come up with an all-time XI.
Best, who passed away in 2005 aged 59, was placed on the right of a front three in the third team squad. Barcelona’s Lionel Messi was named in the same position in the first team, while the Brazilian Garrincha grabbed the second team spot. As well as Henry and van Basten, Best was joined by Andres Iniesta, Didi, Johan Neeskens, Michel Platini, Philipp Lahm, Sergio Ramos, Paul Breitner and Manuel Neuer.
Best’s inclusion was due to an incredible career in which he won two league titles with Manchester United, the club’s first ever European Cup in 1968 and the Ballon d’or that same year.
The Belfast player also received 37 caps for Northern Ireland.
Before embarking on his journey at the Red Devils, a 15-yearold Best was pictured in the office of the late Belfast Telegraph Sports Editor Malcolm Brodie.
Best’s brother-in-law Norman Mcnarry felt that he should have been included in the first XI “without a shadow of a doubt” but said it was great to see the former United forward joining such illustrious world stars.
“I would have thought if it had been a primarily British audience he would have been up there with the first team,” Mr Mcnarry told the Belfast Telegraph.
“There is no doubt that George has been and always will be an icon to many people.
“For him to be included in this list of people is a tribute to exactly what George was.
“It is obviously very positive for the family that the little boy from east Belfast still holds such a place in the world of football.”
A spokesperson for Manchester United said the club was delighted to see “legend” Best included in the teams.
“No one at Manchester United has ever doubted that George was one of the greatest footballers to have played the game,” the club said yesterday.
“His memory will always be cherished at Old Trafford and it’s great to see his extraordinary talent recognised by the rest of the football world in this way.”
Commenting on Best’s inclusion, Irish FA President David Martin stated: “I had the pleasure of knowing George.
“He is one of Northern Ireland’s favourite sons and a footballing giant.
“It is fitting that he has made this iconic list.”
Gary Mcallister, the chairman of the Amalgamation of Northern Ireland Supporters’ Clubs, added that Best holds a “special place” in the hearts of many people both at home and abroad.
The Ballon d’or first team line-up was made up of Cristiano Ronaldo, Ronaldo, Messi, Pele, Lothar Matthaus, Xavi, Maradona, Paolo Maldini, Franz Beckenbauer, Cafu and Lev Yashin.
The second team was Ronaldinho, Johan Cruyff, Garrincha, Alfredo Di Stefano, Frank Rijkaard, Andrea Pirlo, Zinedine Zidane, Roberto Carlos, Franco Baresi, Carlos Alberto and Gianluigi Buffon.
‘No-one at Old Trafford has ever doubted that George was one of the greatest players of the game’