Flowers at the foot of the United Trinity statue depicting George Best, Denis Law and Bobby Charlton. © APA/afp / PAUL ELLIS

Football is mourning: an icon is dead

Bobby Charlton celebrated his greatest successes with the national team and his club Manchester United. The 1966 world champion, revered as a national hero in England, died on Saturday.

21 October 2023

From: dpa/tu

The English football icon Sir Bobby Charlton is dead. The 1966 world champion, revered as a national hero, died at the age of 86, the PA news agency reported on Saturday, citing his family. The long-time Manchester United professional suffered from dementia in 2020. Charlton was an idol of his generation - in 1966 he won the World Cup with the Three Lions on home soil with a 4-2 win against Germany.

In Manchester he was one of the key players in the so-called “Busby Babes”, the legendary United team that won numerous titles, including the 1968 European Cup.

Bobby Charlton (left) and Pele (right). © ANSA / ANSA

“A truly wonderful footballer and truly lovely man,” wrote England legend Gary Lineker about Charlton via X, formerly Twitter. “He may no longer be with us, but he will have footballing immortality.” His former club also paid tribute to Charlton. “Sir Bobby was a hero to millions, not just in Manchester or the United Kingdom, but wherever football is played in the world,” Manchester United wrote. “He was admired as much for his sportsmanship and integrity as for his outstanding footballing ability. Sir Bobby will always be remembered as one of the game’s greats.”

Charlton is an England and Manchester United legend. Pictured here with Wayne Rooney (right). © APA/afp / OLI SCARFF

Charlton's career and life were also shaped by the plane disaster in Munich. In February 1958, Man 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 was one of 21 survivors.