George Best, the footballing genius considered by many to be the greatest player in the world, has died in hospital aged 59.

His family, including his son, Calum, and 87-year-old father, Dickie, kept an all-night vigil at his bedside and were with him when he died at 12.55pm.

The Manchester United and Northern Ireland player suffered multiple organ failure after a lung infection led to complications and internal bleeding.

Best's family gathered outside the hospital to give a short press conference. Calum Best told reporters: "Not only have I lost my dad but we've lost a wonderful man."

Shaking with emotion, his father Dickie added: "Now we've made a statement, please all go away and leave us to grieve in peace ... it's a very human thing to ask anyone to do."

Best’s agent and long-time friend Phil Hughes, who was crying in front of the cameras, added: “He has gone somewhere now where no one can hurt him any more. He is safe now.”

In a statement, a spokesman for Cromwell Hospital in West London said: "After a long and very valiant fight Mr George Best died this afternoon in the intensive care unit at Cromwell Hospital. The thoughts of all staff at Cromwell Hospital are with Mr Best’s family at this time."

Best is to be buried in Belfast, beside his mother, Ann.

His final visitors included Sir Bobby Charlton and Denis Law, two of his Manchester United team-mates in the club’s triumphs during the 1960s when Best was idolised by millions. Sir Bobby said: "Manchester United’s glorious history has been created by people like George Best.

"Anyone that witnessed what George could do on the pitch wished they could do the same. He made an immense contribution to the game, and enriched the lives of everyone that saw him play. It is a very sad day.

"Football has lost one of its greats, and I have lost a dear friend. He was a marvellous person and my thoughts are now with his family."

In Manchester, fans gathered in the winter gloom outside United’s Old Trafford ground where they have created a shrine of scarves, photographs and replica shirts in Best’s honour. Passing motorists stopped to add their contributions, candles were lit, tears shed and heads were bowed in memory.

"I cried when he left United and I cried again today," said supporter Lawrence Chapple-Gill. "I have supported United since I was four or five when my dad gave me a poster of George Best and told me all about him."

The club will open a book of condolence tomorrow morning at Old Trafford. Meanwhile a mountain of flowers continues to build up outside the hospital, with cards from fans all over the world.

Tony Blair sent his own tribute from the Commonwealth Heads of Government meeting in Malta. He said: "George Best was probably the most naturally gifted footballer of his generation, one of the greatest footballers the UK has ever produced. Anyone who has seen him as a football fan will never forget it."

Bertie Ahern, the Irish premier, said: "George was one of my great sporting heroes. Not only is he one of the finest footballers this island has ever produced but he is also one of the best players the world has ever seen. He was quite simply a football genius."

Mr Ahern said that as a teenager he had been enthralled by Best’s sensational performance in the 1968 European Cup final. "Throughout a long and colourful career, George gave great pleasure to millions of football supporters across the globe," he said.

"He was a man of unmatched football skills and great personal charisma. He fought a long difficult battle with alcoholism and I am sorry to hear today that he has finally succumbed to illness."

Best's legions of admirers reminisced about Best’s skill at dribbling the ball and the pick of his 180 goals in 465 appearances for United, most notably in the 1968 European Cup final, the zenith of his career.

On October 1, Best was admitted to the hospital suffering from a flu-like infection, but he rallied and his condition was thought to be improving until the early hours of Friday last week, when he suffered a severe setback. He then developed a lung infection and was put back on a ventilator in intensive care.

On Tuesday night, his condition worsened significantly. Best - a transplant recipient - carried a donor card and gave instructions that he would like his organs to be used to help others.

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