George Best: Liver Transplant

[Pichi]

Looks like the ole liver on George couldn't handle it anymore and he is currently getting a liver transplant as I write this, according to his agent Phil Hughes in a London Hospital.

Here is the article in Spanish:

Pichi



Fútbol.- El ex jugador del Manchester United, George Best, sometido a un trasplante de hígado


LONDRES, 30 Jul. (EUROPA PRESS)

El ex jugador del Manchester United y de la selección de Irlanda del Norte George Best está siendo sometido a un trasplante de hígado en un hospital de Londres, según confirmó su agente, Phil Hughes.

La operación, que comenzó esta mañana, durará dieciseis horas. Best, de 56 años, esperaba un donante desde hace varios meses y al volver de las vacaciones que ha disfrutado en Malta recibió la noticia de que iba a ser operado hoy. "George está en este momento en el hospital", desveló Hughes.

Best ganó la Copa de Europa de clubes campeones con el Manchester United en 1968 y fue convocado en la selección norirlandesa 37 veces, antes de colgar prematuramente sus botas, a los 26 años.

El antiguo jugador, que fue hospitalizado varias veces debido a sus problemas con el alcohol, pasó más de un mes en una clínica londinense en la primavera de 2000 debido a sus problemas en el hígado.

[Motterman]

Similar article in English:

George Best has been admitted to London's Cromwell Hospital for a liver transplant.

The Manchester United legend had been on a waiting list for several months and is understood to have been called in for the 16-hour operation at short-notice.

The 56-year-old has fought a long battle against alcoholism and was warned two years ago that he would die if he did not give up drinking.

And surgeons decided that a transplant was the only option for the Irishman after years of alcohol abuse had left his liver permanently damaged.

His agent Phil Hughes confirmed: "Yes, it's on. George is in the hospital at the moment. He had just got back from holiday and had the call early this morning. I can't comment further at the moment.

"All I can say is that he is in the very good hands of the top man in his field."

Regular Soccer Saturday pundit Best, one of 200 adults waiting for a liver transplant in the UK, suffered internal bleeding four months ago and spoke of his fear that the setback could jeopardise his chances of having the op.

The average waiting time is around three months and patients must be in good physical shape for the complex procedure, but he has today been given the green light by doctors.

Belfast-born Best remains one of the most famous figures in British football for his exploits at Manchester United - both on and off the pitch - in the 1960s and 70s.

He was voted European Footballer of the Year and Football Writers' Player of the Year in 1968 after helping Sir Matt Busby's United team win the European Cup.

As well as claiming 37 international caps with Northern Ireland, Best won two league championships with United and scored 137 goals in 361 appearances for the Reds.

His career also took in Stockport County, Cork Celtics, Dunstable Town, Los Angeles Aztecs, Fulham, Fort Lauderdale Strikers, Hibernian, San Jose Earthquakes, Bournemouth and Brisbane Lions.

But it will be in a red shirt that he will be best remembered, and United fans will lead the many well wishers expressing their hopes of a swift recovery.

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it doesnt seem that long ago i watched i programme on tv celebrating his 50th. time flies :(

hope he makes it through and gets better, im sure he will.