Legendary Manchester United player Bobby Charlton, who led England to its only World Cup title in 1966, has sadly passed away at the age of 86, as announced by the club on Saturday via a statement.
“Manchester United is deeply saddened by the loss of Sir Bobby Charlton, one of the greatest and most beloved players in the history of our club,” said the Premier League team.
No specific cause of death has been revealed. With Charlton’s passing, Geoff Hurst is now the only living member of the 1966 England team that won the World Cup.
In 1958, Charlton survived the tragic Munich air disaster, which claimed the lives of eight of his Manchester United teammates when a British European Airways plane crashed during its third takeoff attempt.
Charlton played a significant role in securing the European Cup for Manchester United in 1968, scoring two goals in the final. He is remembered as a “giant of the game” who inspired fans and players worldwide.
“Sir Bobby was a hero to millions, not just in Manchester or the United Kingdom, but around the world wherever football is played,” the club stated.
The Premier League expressed deep sadness and offered condolences to Sir Bobby Charlton’s family, friends, and everyone at Manchester United, acknowledging him as one of the greatest players in English football history.
Charlton had a longstanding relationship with Manchester United, joining their youth academy as a child and playing for the club for 17 years. During his time with the team, he scored 249 goals in 758 games and won three league titles, the FA Cup, and the European Cup.
Even after retiring from football, Charlton remained involved with Manchester United as a director for 39 years.
“His incomparable record of achievements, character, and service will always be remembered in the history of Manchester United and English football,” the statement concluded.
Geoff Hurst, Charlton’s World Cup teammate, paid tribute to the late player, describing him as one of the true greats. Hurst emphasized that Charlton will be dearly missed by the entire country, not just in the realm of sports.
Soccer star David Beckham also shared his mourning on Instagram, highlighting the profound impact Charlton had on his iconic career at Manchester United. Beckham revealed that his parents named him after Charlton, giving him the middle name “Robert” as a tribute to the legendary athlete.
“It all began with Sir Bobby ❤️. Sir Bobby was the reason I had the opportunity to play for Manchester United,” shared Beckham alongside a photo of his younger self with Charlton.
“A true gentleman, family man, and truly a national hero,” Beckham continued. “Today is not just a sad day for Manchester United and England, but a sad day for football and everything that Sir Bobby represented.”
The English Football Association confirmed that a full tribute will be held in honor of Charlton on November 17, coinciding with Gareth Southgate’s side playing against Malta.
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