England soccer legend, Bobby Charlton, dead at 86
David Beckham has led tributes to England and Manchester United legend Sir Bobby Charlton who has died after a battle with dementia.
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David Beckham has paid tribute to Manchester United and England legend Sir Bobby Charlton after his death at the age of 86.
Charlton, one of the key players in England’s 1966 World Cup victory, is regarded as one of Manchester United’s greatest ever players, scoring 249 goals in 758 appearances.
“Sir Bobby was the reason I had the opportunity to play for Manchester United,” David Beckham said in an emotional post on Instagram.
“Today our hearts are heavy. I will be forever grateful to a man I was named after, someone I looked up to and was a hero to many around the world not just in Manchester and our country where he won the World Cup in 1966 … A true gentleman, family man and truly a national hero … Today isn’t just a sad day for Manchester United & England it’s a sad day for football and everything that Sir Bobby represented.
“Our thoughts go out to Lady Norma, their daughters and grandchildren x Rest in Peace Sir Bobby x.”
Charlton won the European Cup with United in 1968, as well as three First Division titles; Ashington-born Charlton also won the World Cup with England in 1966.
The Manchester United and England legend died surrounded by his family on Saturday night (AEDT).
Charlton is survived by wife, Lady Norma, their two daughters Suzanne and Andrea and grandchildren.
Charlton, who was born in Northumberland near the Scottish border, is widely viewed as one of the greats of the game and was part of England’s famous 1966 World Cup winning side.
Following his death, Sir Geoff Hurst – who famously scored a hat-trick in England’s 4-2 victory over West Germany at Wembley – is now the only member of the team still alive. Former England right-back George Cohen died aged 83 in December.
Charlton was diagnosed with dementia in November 2020, just four months after his older brother Jack Charlton – another 1966 hero – died aged 85.
“It is with great sadness that we share the news that Sir Bobby passed peacefully in the early hours of Saturday morning. He was surrounded by his family,” a statement from the Charlton family said.
“His family would like to pass on their thanks to everyone who has contributed to his care and for the many people who have loved and supported him. We would request that the family’s privacy be respected at this time.”
Manchester United said they were mourning “one of the greatest and most beloved players in the history of our club”.
“Sir Bobby was a hero to millions, not just in Manchester, or the United Kingdom, but wherever football is played around the world,” the club said in a statement.
The star soccer player went on to have an incredible career after surviving the Munich Air Disaster in 1958 – when he was 20 – which killed eight of his teammates and 23 people in total.
During his 17 years with United – where he played as if every game was for his fallen teammates – he won three league titles, the FA Cup and captained the Red Devils when they became the first English club to win the European Cup.
Charlton racked up 249 goals for Man United – including two in the famous 1968 European Cup final win over Benfica.
Charlton is one of the ‘Holy Trinity’ along with George Best and Denis Law who are immortalised in a statue outside Old Trafford.
After he hung up his football boots, Charlton managed Preston North End from 1973 to 1975 and was later director at Wigan Athletic.
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