Sir Bobby Charlton was an English soccer legend who played for the 1966 FIFA World Cup-winning team and is considered among the best players of all time.
- Died: October 21, 2023 (Who else died on October 21?)
- Details of death: Died of complications from dementia at the age of 86.
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Bobby Charlton’s legacy
Charlton was just 18 when he made his debut with the Manchester United first-team in 1956, but his skills already marked him as a stand-out figure in the league. In 1958, he was one of the survivors of the crash of British European Airways Flight 609, which killed 23 of the 44 people on board, including much of the Manchester United team and its supporting staff. After teammate Harry Gregg’s death in 2020, Charlton was the last remaining survivor of the crash.
Following the tragedy, he led the team to the Football Association Cup in 1963 and the Football League in 1965 and 1967. In 1966, Charlton was part of the English team that won the FIFA World Cup. He won the Ballon d’Or that same year, one of the highest honors in the sport. In 1968, he led Manchester United to the European Cup. They won on the strength of two goals by Charlton, becoming the first English club to do so. In 1973, he left Manchester United to become a player and manager with Preston North End. He was later a director with Wigan Athletic and a member of the board of directors for Manchester United.
Charlton was on four World Cup teams between 1958 and 1970, and he held numerous records during his career. He retired as the most capped player in England, and as the all-time goals leader for both Manchester United and England – his record for former held until 2017. Until 2008, he played more matches for Manchester United than any other player. He won FWA Footballer of the Year, was named to the FIFA World Cup All-Time Team, received a knighthood in 1994, and was twice on the FIFA World Cup All-Star Team, among many other honors. He is widely considered one of the greatest players in soccer history.
Notable quote
“I never found football a bother, really. It all came quite easily.”—from a 2007 interview with Simon Stone
Tributes to Bobby Charlton
Full obituary: The New York Times
