George Best

George Best (22 May 1946 – 25 November 2005) was a Northern Irish professional football player, best known for his years with Manchester United.

Sourced

• I spent a lot of money on booze, birds and fast cars. The rest I just squandered.
  • Reported in "Best: Decline of the golden boy", BBC News (June 14 2005).

• I used to go missing a lot... Miss Canada, Miss United Kingdom, Miss World.
  • Reported in "The things they say: George Best", FIFA.com (July 31, 2009).

• I've stopped drinking, but only while I'm asleep.
  • C. 1974; reported in Patrick West, Beating Them at Their Own Game: How the Irish Conquered English Soccer (2006), p. 188.

• In 1969 I gave up women and alcohol - it was the worst 20 minutes of my life.
  • Reported in Ned Sherrin, Oxford Dictionary of Humorous Quotations (2008), p. 153.

• He cannot kick with his left foot, he cannot head a ball, he cannot tackle and he doesn't score many goals. Apart from that he's all right.
  • On David Beckham; reported in "The things they say: George Best", FIFA.com (July 31, 2009).

• There have been a few players described as the new George Best over the years, but this is the first time it's been a compliment to me.
  • On Cristiano Ronaldo; reported in "Funniest ever footie quotes", TheSun.co.uk (March 8, 2008).