Sir Bobby Charlton, an English soccer icon and the leader of his country’s 1966 World Cup-winning team, has died. He was 86 and died of complications from dementia at home surrounded by family.
A gifted midfielder with a ferocious shot, Charlton was the leading scorer for United (249 goals) and England (49 goals) for more than 40 years, until being overtaken by Wayne Rooney.
Charlton made 758 appearances for United from 1956-73, playing alongside George Best and Denis Law in the so-called “Trinity” that led United to the 1968 European Cup.
The team was noted for several players surviving a 1958 Munich plane crash which wiped out the celebrated “Busby Babes” team.
Charlton won three English league titles and one FA Cup with United. Ovrall, he played 106 matches for England, including every minute of the team’s World Cup-winning team, for which he scored three goals.
A statue of him is outside of Manchester United‘s Old Trafford stadium.
United paid tribute to Charlton, describing him as “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.
“He was admired as much for his sportsmanship and integrity as he was for his outstanding qualities as a footballer; Sir Bobby will always be remembered as a giant of the game.”
In June 1984, he became a director at his beloved United and 10 years later he was knighted, having previously been awarded an OBE and CBE.
Survivors include his wife, Lady Norma, daughters and grandchildren.