England’s football icon Bobby Charlton dies at the age of 86

His long-standing club announced this on Saturday. Charlton suffered from dementia in 2020 and, according to his family, he passed away “peacefully” on Saturday morning. With the English national team, the offensive man was world champion in his own country in 1966. He scored 49 goals in 106 international matches.

In Manchester, Charlton was one of the key players in the so-called “Busby Babes”, the legendary United team that won numerous titles – including the 1968 Championship and three league titles. In 758 games for the club, the all-time great scored 249 goals over 17 years. After retiring from his career in 1973, the former world-class footballer served as director of the “Red Devils” for 39 years, in whose youth academy he himself had been trained.

“Giant of the game”

“Sir Bobby will always be remembered as a giant of the game,” said the obituary on the club website. Charlton was a hero for millions. “Not just in Manchester or the UK, but wherever football is played in the world.” The English striker legend Gary Lineker also saw it that way. “He may no longer be with us, but he will have footballing immortality,” said the 1986 World Cup top scorer. “A truly wonderful footballer and a truly lovely man.”

Charlton is survived by his wife Norma, two daughters and several grandchildren. According to a statement, he died surrounded by his family. The family expressed their gratitude to “all who contributed to his care and the many people who loved and supported him.” “In addition, we ask that the family’s privacy be respected at this time.”

Met wife after plane disaster

Charlton met his wife the year after an event that shaped his life and career – the Munich plane disaster. In February 1958, Manchester United were on their way home from a European Cup game in Belgrade. After a stopover in Munich, the plane had starting problems in bad weather.

“We didn’t even take off,” Charlton recalled decades later, visibly moved. “We crashed into a house and I think a few other obstacles. It was just a nightmare.” 23 people died in the accident. Charlton, like trainer Matt Busby, was one of the 21 occupants who survived the crash. “I was just lucky that I was in the right seat,” Charlton said later. With him, the last survivor of the accident has also died.

Somehow United had to move on even after the tragedy. “We had to try extra hard,” Charlton said. Ten years later, they triumphed in the European Cup for the national champions, the forerunner of the Champions League. “It just wouldn’t have been right if Man United had never won the European Cup,” Charlton told the BBC. “But then it became standard.” The 4-1 win in the final against Benfica Lisbon was perhaps the most emotional moment of his career. He scored two goals in the final.

Charlton left his mark on Man Utd like no other

The “Red Devils” have triumphed three times in the Master Cup and Champions League. The club has become one of the greats of world football. Charlton has left his mark on him like no other. In 1994 he was knighted by Queen Elizabeth II. With his “Find A Better Way” foundation, “Sir Bobby” campaigned against landmines and supported prosthesis research. The good cause was always close to the modest star’s heart.

“He is revered on the field, but even more so off it”

“He was always successful – but above all in helping other people,” praised England star David Beckham, who was discovered by Charlton, on his 80th birthday. “He is revered on the field, but even more so off it.” In 2020 it was revealed that Charlton was suffering from dementia. He was the fifth player from the 1966 World Cup team to be diagnosed with the disease. His deceased teammates Nobby Stiles, Ray Wilson, Martin Peters and his brother Jack Charlton also suffered.

With the passing of “Sir Bobby”, Geoff Hurst is now the last survivor of England’s only World Cup winning team. “Very sad news,” wrote the final hero and scorer of the “Wembley goal” in the final against Germany (4:2 nV) on X (formerly Twitter). With Charlton, “one of the true greats” died. Hurst: “We will never forget him – and neither will football. A great colleague and friend, he will be sorely missed across the country beyond sport.”

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