Apart from his phenomenal football skills that earned him the “Golden Ball” and immense fan admiration, George Best is equally renowned for his sassy demeanor and sharp wit, which have produced numerous memorable remarks over time.
Best never holds back his words and is prepared to confront anyone who crosses his path for a mere two hundred.
However, the deceased Manchester United icon consistently displayed respect and regard for his peers.
While alive, Best shared an intriguing anecdote involving other football legends like Sir Bobby Charlton, Denis Law, and Ferenc Puskás.
This incident unfolded in Australia, where the trio of Manchester United greats and the legendary Real Madrid player were involved in coaching at a football academy. Despite being far removed from his playing days and not in top physical shape, Puskás played a significant role, showcasing the young talents in the academy what true class entails.
Best recounts the tale: “I was with (Bobby) Charlton, (Denis) Law, and Puskás, coaching at a football academy in Australia. The young players we mentored showed little respect for him (Puskás), often mocking his weight and age. We decided to let the boys challenge the coach to hit the crossbar 10 times consecutively, and of course, they chose the elderly, overweight coach. Law asked the boys how many they thought the older coach would manage out of ten. Most predicted fewer than five. The older coach stepped up and hit nine in a row. For the tenth shot, he controlled the ball in the air, juggled it effortlessly with both his shoulders and head, then executed a spectacular volley with his heel, sending the ball striking the crossbar. Silence filled the air, and one child asked who he was; I replied, ‘To you, his name is Mr. Puskás.'”
