Former England international Bobby Charlton, world champion and Ballon d’Or winner in 1966, died this Saturday, his family announced. He was 86 years old. A former Manchester United legend, he was knighted by Queen Elizabeth II in 1994 and became the symbol of elegance and sporting spirit.
Englishman Bobby Charlton, 1966 world champion and former Manchester United star, has died at the age of 86, the English club announced on Saturday. “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,” Manchester United wrote in a statement.
Munich crash survivor
With Bobby Charlton, the Red Devils became the first English club to win the European Cup in 1968. Survivor of plane crash in Munich, which killed eight of his Manchester United teammates in 1958, he managed to overcome this terrible ordeal to win the World Cup with England in 1966 and two years later the European Club Cup champions with United.
Sir Bobby Charlton CBE, 1937-2023.
Words will never be enough.
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) October 21, 2023
Renowned for his formidable strikes, the winner of the 1966 Ballon d’Or had also become the symbol of elegance and sporting spirit. Born in Ashington, a working-class town in the north-east of England on October 11, 1937, Bobby Charlton joined the Old Trafford side at the age of 15.