The English club’s official website said: “Manchester United mourns the death of Sir Bobby Charlton, one of the greatest and most famous players in the history of our club.”
Robert Charlton was born on 11 October 1937 in Ashington, a mining town in northern England, and joined the Red Devils in 1954, a club he remained at until 1973, before moving to Preston North End (1973/74) and Watford (1975). ).
The brother of 1966 world champion Jack Charlton, Bobby Charlton, along with coach Matt Busby, was a survivor of the plane crash that killed eight Manchester United players, in Munich, in February 1958.
One of the ‘Busby Children’, Bobby Charlton, was involved in Manchester United’s rebuilding, winning the Premier League title in 1964/65 and 1966/67 – joining them in 1956/57 – and the European Champion Clubs’ Cup. In the 1967/68 season, he scored twice in a 4-1 win over Benfica in the final at Wembley Stadium.
In the decisive match, on May 29, 1968, Bobby Charlton gave the advantage to the “Red Devils”, and in the 53rd minute, Jaime Graca equalized for the “Reds”, extending the match to extra time, when George Best scored, in the 93rd minute. In the minute, Brian Kidd, 94, and again, Bobby Charlton, 99, sealed the English victory.
Previously, in the 1966 World Cup, on 28 July, also at Wembley Stadium, he scored two goals in England’s 2-1 win over Portugal, in the semi-finals, eliminating the “skinny” team led by Eusebio, who, after scoring both of Bobby’s goals. Charlton in the 30th and 80th minutes, and the Portuguese scored in the 82nd minute from a penalty kick.
England will become world champions, beating RFA 4-2, after extra time, with a Geoff Hurst hat-trick, with Bobby Charlton winning the Ballon d’Or, relegating Eusebio to second place in the France Football polls – Previous The England midfielder also finished in the top spot. The second in 1967 was succeeded by Hungarian Florian Albert, and in 1968 he was succeeded by Northern Irishman George Best.
He was knighted in 1994 by Queen Elizabeth II, and was the top scorer for Manchester United (249 goals) and England (49) for more than 40 years, until Wayne Rooney broke both records.
In November 2020, it was announced that he had been diagnosed with dementia, the same disease that affected his brother Jack – who died in 2020 at the age of 85 – and Nobby Stiles, another world champion.
“After graduating from our youth academy, Sir Bobby made 758 appearances and scored 249 goals during his 17 years as a Manchester United player, winning the European Cup, three league titles and the FA Cup. For England, he made 106 caps, scoring 49 goals, and also won the 1966 World Cup. .
The club also notes that “following his retirement, he served the club with distinction as manager for 39 years.”
“His unparalleled record of achievement, character and dedication will forever be etched in the history of Manchester United and English football and his legacy will live on through the transformative work of the Sir Bobby Charlton Foundation,” the club said, presenting the statement. “The club’s deepest condolences to his wife, Lady Norma, his daughters, his grandchildren, and everyone who loved him.”
Greetings in Portuguese
“Regarded as one of the best players of his generation, Bobby Charlton was a legend for Manchester United, the club he represented for 17 years (1956 to 1973), and the England national team, having been world champions in 1966, the year in which he also won the Ballon d’Or. He participated In more than 100 international matches with his country’s national team,” this stated in a note published on the organization’s official website.
Federation President Fernando Gomez, representing the Federation, sent a message of condolence to the clubs in which the former player played, especially Manchester United and his family.
The note added: “Fernando Gomez remembered the legacy of the former player, highlighted his personality and charisma, and sent a message of condolences.”
The Portuguese Professional Football League (LPFP) also noted the disappearance of Bobby Charlton, and offered its condolences to “his family, his fans and the British nation,” recalling the “indelible legacy” he left in the world of football.
“The former Manchester United player leaves an indelible legacy that will forever remain in the memory of everyone who had the opportunity to witness his skill on the pitch,” reads a post on the official LPFP website.
On social media, FC Porto posted a photo of the former England international with the message: “Sir Bobby Charlton is also truly immortal. One of the best ever.”
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