Discovered at the age of 15 outside Belfast by a Manchester United scout, George Best went on to become the most celebrated football player in the country that invented the sport. The 5’ 9” wizard debuted as a baby-faced 17-year-old with Man U’s first team in 1963. Over the next eleven years he would score 179 goals in 470 appearances, leading his club in scoring five straight seasons and winning two league titles, two Charity Shields and a memorable European Cup (now the UEFA Champions League) for his beloved Red Devils in 1968 – the same year he earned the coveted Ballon d’Or as the world’s best player. Staying loyal to his native Northern Ireland national squad, he is almost certainly the best player never to play in a World Cup.

Tough as nails despite his slight build, Best was a fearless competitor who never shied away from tackles and refused to dive. Primarily a winger or attacking midfielder, he is largely considered the most dynamic dribbler ever, essentially doing whatever he wanted on the pitch and possessing a nose for the goal and will to score seemingly unmatched. Off the field, Best’s good looks and charisma made him as popular as a member of The Beatles. Every woman wanted him and ever man wanted to be him. He was perhaps the first true celebrity footballer, enjoying the fruits of his labor as much as any man in his situation could, somehow without compromising his world-class talent. In retirement, however, those long nights caught up with him.

During his storied run at Old Trafford, George Best sported the 7, 8, 9,10 and 11 jerseys at a time when numbers were traditionally assigned based on position. When he played right wing in the mid-late ‘60s, he wore the number 7. As a left winger in his 1963-64 debut season and all of 1971-72, he wore the number 11. Presented here is a hobby-fresh George Best #11 Manchester United match-worn home shirt from the 1971-72 campaign when he scored 18 goals in league play and 26 overall.

The red long-sleeved shirt is made of 100% cotton by Umbro, the English apparel brand based in Manchester. The front is a traditional solid red with no club crest. The reverse has “11” in large peach-colored numbers with George Best’s rare autograph in faded red marker on the first ‘1’. The flapping collar, V-neck padding and sleeve ends are all in the same peach colors as the back numbers. Properly tagged by Umbro inside the collar with the brand’s stamp on the right tail, the shirt exhibits ample solid, evenly distributed wear throughout with significant pilling evident. According to MEARS, the level of use is “heavy” and tailored measurements match other Best exemplars. (No size is indicated.) Overall, this museum-worthy gamer comes in outstanding condition and includes jersey authentication paperwork from MEARS plus a full letter from PSA/DNA for the autograph.