Question 1

True or false: George Best was named European Footballer of the Year in 1968, the same year he won the Ballon d'Or.

Accepted Answer

True. These are the same award—Ballon d'Or was then called European Footballer of the Year—and Best won it in 1968.

Question 2

True or false: Best famously said, 'I spent a lot of money on booze, birds, and fast cars. The rest I just squandered.'

Accepted Answer

True. This iconic quote, often misattributed, is genuine and captures his hedonistic lifestyle.

Question 3

True or false: Best scored the winning goal for Manchester United in the 1968 European Cup final.

Accepted Answer

False. He scored in extra time, but the winning goal was actually by Brian Kidd; Best’s goal made it 2-1 before Kidd sealed the win.

Question 4

True or false: George Best was the first footballer to be knighted for services to sport.

Accepted Answer

False. Best was never knighted; he received an OBE in 2000. The first footballer knighted was Stanley Matthews in 1965.

Question 5

True or false: George Best played for the Northern Ireland national team in the 1982 World Cup.

Accepted Answer

False. Northern Ireland qualified for 1982 and 1986 World Cups, but Best had retired from international football in 1977.

Question 6

True or false: Best once played for two different teams in the same calendar day, flying between matches.

Accepted Answer

False. Though he loved a chaotic schedule, this specific feat is an urban legend; no verified match exists.

Question 7

True or false: Best played a single match for a Hungarian club late in his career, scoring a hat-trick.

Accepted Answer

True. In 1979, he briefly played for the Hungarian side Szentlőrinci AC, scoring three goals in his only appearance.

Question 8

True or false: George Best once played for a team in the Australian league while still under contract with Manchester United.

Accepted Answer

True. In 1975, Best played for the Australian club Perth Azzurri on loan, using a break from United to explore a new continent.

George Best Trivia Questions