The family of Sir Bobby Charlton, the Manchester United and England legend, has announced his death.
He was 86.
Charlton is regarded as one of Manchester United’s greatest-ever players, scoring 249 goals in 758 appearances between 1956 and 1973. He won the European Cup with United in 1968, as well as three First Division titles.
The 1966 World Cup winner earned 106 caps for England, scoring 49 times, a goalscoring record which he held from 1970 to 2015.
“It is with great sadness that we share the news that Sir Bobby passed peacefully in the early hours of Saturday morning,” a statement from his family read.
“His family surrounded him. His family would like to thank everyone who has contributed to his care and the many people who have loved and supported him.
“We would request that the family’s privacy be respected at this time.”
Manchester United also paid their own tribute to Charlton who they called “one of the greatest and most beloved players in the club’s history“.
“Sir Bobby was a hero to millions, not just in Manchester, or the United Kingdom, but wherever football is played around the world,” a club statement read.
“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.
Manchester United wore black armbands during Saturday’s match against Sheffield United. Club captain Bruno Fernandes laid a wreath in the centre circle as a minute’s applause was held before kick-off in the Premier League match at Bramall Lane.
Speaking ahead of the game, manager Erik ten Hag said: “The whole football world is losing a legend, a big personality, a giant. He was that on the pitch and definitely also off the pitch. He set the standard as a Manchester United player. What he achieved is an example for us.”
A book of condolence has been open to fans and the public from Sunday morning at the International Suite at Old Trafford.
An online version is also available for those who may not be able to get to the stadium.
Lifelong strained relationship with his brother, Jack
Charlton was one of only nine players in football history to have won the World Cup, European Cup (now Champions League ) and the Ballon d’Or, with former Three Lions boss Sir Alf Ramsay noting he was the “lynchpin of our team”.
Of course, among his England teammates was his old brother Jack. The two brothers were very different characters; Bobby was shy and reserved, particularly in public, while Jack was loud and outgoing.
Despite playing together for many years and lifting the World Cup alongside one another in 1966, Jack and Bobby infamously enjoyed a strained relationship. There was never any definitive conclusion as to why the two drifted so far apart, but Bobby’s 2007 autobiography suggested that the rift was sparked by his wife Norma’s strained relationship with his mother Cassie.
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