Five reasons why Best was a genius

Breaking news from the world of sport: Five reasons why Best was a genius Figure caption, Sammy McIlroy played alongside George Best for Manchester United between 1971 and 1974BySimon Stone Manchester United reporterPublished7 minutes agoGeorge Best would have been 80 on 22 May. It is six decades since he started to dazzle home audiences, over 40 since he last played a game. But Best is one of a rare breed whose legacy endures.

Either in the colours of Manchester United or Northern Ireland, the highlights of his career encapsulate why many who saw him still argue he was the best player ever. For those who are younger, whose parents were too young to see Best play, there is a modern-day comparison. "Lionel Messi is close to Best in the way he plays.

Match Details

He can dribble, beat people, score goals and make goals," said another former United and Northern Ireland great Sammy McIlroy. McIlroy counted Best as a hero when he was growing up in Belfast. Best later became his mentor and a team-mate.

"Messi has got this amazing dribbling ability," said McIlroy. "Best had that too but it was in the 1960s, when the conditions were much different to the way they are now. "The pitches were terrible and your opponents wanted to hurt you.

Norman Hunter, Tommy Smith and Ron Harris were good players but they were cruel in the way they played. "It didn't bother George. It didn't matter who was dishing it out.

Reactions and Expectations

He used to take the rough stuff, get up and say, 'come on then, let's have some more'. McIlroy was 13 when he went to Windsor Park to watch Best produce what is dubbed as the 'game of his life' for Northern Ireland against Scotland. "I never saw another performance like it in my life," he said.

"It was a one-man show. He made me want to be a footballer. He made me want to join Manchester United.

"Everything came naturally to him. Left foot, right foot, shoot, head, tackle. "But there was more to Best than what he did on matchday.

The story has climbed to the top of the sports agenda, with fans and analysts following closely.