Englishman Bobby Charlton, 1966 world champion and former Manchester United star, died at the age of 86, the English club and his family announced on Saturday October 21. “Manchester United is in mourning following the death of Sir Bobby Charlton, one of the greatest and most loved players in the club’s history”writes Manchester United in a press release.
Robert Charlton, knighted by the Queen in 1994, was one of the great architects of England’s victory – the only one – at the 1966 World Cup. That year, he also received the Ballon de gold designating, at the time, the best European player.
With his club Manchester United, he won the European Champion Clubs’ Cup, the ancestor of the Champions League, in 1968, alongside George Best, another legend of British football. Here again, this is the first time that an English team has won in the toughest continental competition.
Born in Ashington, a working-class town in the north-east of England on October 11, 1937, Bobby Charlton joined United at the age of 15. Renowned for his formidable strikes, he also became over the course of his career the symbol of elegance and sportsmanship. In 1958, he was among the survivors of the Munich air crash, which killed eight of his Manchester United teammates. He wore the club’s jersey until 1973.
He was the brother of Jack, who died in 2020, who was also a famous footballer across the Channel.
Many personalities from the football world have paid tribute to him on social networks. On X (formerly Twitter), Gary Lineker, former player turned BBC star consultant, notably said “deeply saddened” by the death of“a truly wonderful footballer” and D’“a truly charming man.” “For me, the greatest English player of all time”adds Lineker.