Soccer: Best clinging to life as his condition deteriorates

Former Manchester United star George Best was fighting for his life last night in a west London hospital.

Best, 59, who has been in intensive care since October 2, suffered internal bleeding and his condition was "as serious as it can get", said his agent, Phil Hughes.

Best has had an alcohol problem for much of his adult life and had a liver transplant in 2002.

His former wife, Alex Best, said she had been told that his condition "deteriorated dramatically" yesterday, reported the BBC. "I am just praying that, once again, he somehow manages to pull through."

Several British newspapers ran front page stories saying Best was close to death.

However, his liver surgeon, Professor Roger Williams, told the Daily Telegraph that, although seriously ill, the severity of his condition had been exaggerated. "He is still in intensive care and will be while we are struggling with this problem," he said. "He has not given up and nor have we."

Belfast-born Best is regarded by many as the greatest player to emerge from the British Isles.

He had a dazzling but short career at Man United, winning the European Cup in 1968 when he was named European player of the year.

Nicknamed "the Fifth Beatle", Best is widely seen as the first superstar football player, attracting frenzied media coverage as much for his colourful private life as his on-field talent.

- REUTERS