George Best's Legacy Inspires Kevin Keegan's Football Pioneering Spirit

George Best, the Northern Irish football legend, left an indelible mark on the sport with his trailblazing career and charismatic personality. Kevin Keegan, who has died aged 75, is the only British player to win the Ballon d'Or twice, a feat that echoes Best's own pioneering spirit.

What happened?

Keegan's achievements were extraordinary, from being the star of Liverpool's first European Cup-winning team to being a messianic figure at Newcastle United as a player and coach. He forged a team so memorable that Fifa's president wrote to commend him. However, Keegan will principally be remembered by many for an emotional outburst that precipitated Newcastle's historic failure in a Premier League title race.

Why it matters for George Best

George Best's legacy continues to inspire football legends like Kevin Keegan. Best's trailblazing career and charismatic personality paved the way for future generations of footballers. Keegan's achievements, though extraordinary, are a testament to the enduring impact of Best's pioneering spirit.

What comes next?

As football continues to evolve, the legacy of George Best and Kevin Keegan will remain an integral part of the sport's history. Their achievements will continue to inspire future generations of footballers, and their charismatic personalities will remain an essential part of the sport's fabric.

In his autobiography, Keegan wrote about the enduring impact of his emotional outburst, which became a defining moment in his career. "Strangers shout 'love it' to me from car windows," he wrote. "Autograph hunters tell me they would 'love it' if I could sign their pieces of paper." Keegan's meltdown on TV, where he took issue with Alex Ferguson's supposed "mind games," became a defining moment in his career.

Keegan's determination and pig-headedness were traits that he demonstrated throughout his career. In a memorable episode of the TV show Superstars, Keegan got back on his bike after a bike crash, bloodied and bandaged, and went on to win the entire contest. This determination and resilience are qualities that George Best and Kevin Keegan shared, and which continue to inspire footballers today.

Keegan's upbringing in Armthorpe, Doncaster, was a far cry from the glamour of the football pitch. His memories of a different century, where his family lived in a terrace house with a detached outhouse and an old zinc tub for a bath, are a testament to the enduring impact of his humble beginnings.

In conclusion, the legacy of George Best and Kevin Keegan will continue to inspire footballers for generations to come. Their trailblazing careers and charismatic personalities have left an indelible mark on the sport, and their achievements will remain an essential part of football's history.