Days after returning to England , as the First Division 's joint top-scorer ( level on 28 goals with Southampton 's Ron Davies ) Best was presented with the FWA Footballer of the Year award , becoming the youngest ever recipient of the award . Facing United in the European Cup Final at Wembley were Benfica ; whilst his teammates rested , Best found " a novel way to relax " before the big game by sleeping with " a particular young lady called Sue " . The game went into extra-time , and just three minutes into extra-time Best went on a mazy run and beat goalkeeper José Henrique with a dummy , before rolling the ball into the net ; two further goals from Brian Kidd and Bobby Charlton settled the tie at 4 – 1 . The victory was not only the pinnacle of Best 's career , but arguably Manchester United 's greatest achievement , considering the Munich air disaster had wiped out most of the Busby Babes just ten years previously . Best also won the Ballon d'Or in 1968 after receiving more votes than Bobby Charlton , Dragan Džajić and Franz Beckenbauer . This meant that he had won the three major honours in club football at the age of just 22 ( the league title , European Cup , and European Player of the Year award ) . After this , his steady decline began
Munich air disaster
Munich air disaster
George Best