George Best - International Career

International Career

He was capped 37 times for Northern Ireland, scoring nine goals. Of his nine international goals four were scored against Cyprus and one each against Albania, England, Scotland, Switzerland and Turkey.

On 15 May 1971, Best scored possibly the most famous "goal" of his career at Windsor Park in Belfast against England. As Gordon Banks, the English goalkeeper, released the ball in the air in order to kick the ball downfield, Best managed to kick the ball first, which sent the ball high over their heads and heading towards the open goal. Best outpaced Banks and headed the ball into the empty goal, but the goal was disallowed by referee Alistair Mackenzie.

Best continued to be selected for Northern Ireland throughout the 1970s, despite his fluctuating form and off pitch problems. There were still glimpses of his genius; in 1976, Northern Ireland were drawn against the Netherlands in Rotterdam as one of their 1978 FIFA World Cup qualification matches. The Netherlands, who were runners-up in the 1974 and 1978 World Cups, and their star player, Johan Cruyff, were at their peak at the time. Five minutes into the game Best received the ball wide on the left. Instead of heading towards goal he turned directly infield, weaved his way past at least three Dutchmen and found his way to Cruyff who was wide right. Best took the ball to his opponent, dipped a shoulder twice and slipped it between Cruyff's feet – nutmegging arguably the best player in the world at that time.

Best was considered briefly by manager Billy Bingham for the 1982 World Cup, but at the age of 36 and his football skills dulled by age and drink, he was not selected in the Northern Ireland squad. He should have won many more caps than he did, but he often chose to skip games to go out partying.