‘England’s greatest ever player’: Tributes pour in for Sir Bobby Charlton
BBC – The world of football has united in tribute to Manchester United and England legend Sir Bobby Charlton, who died at the age of 86 on Saturday.
Charlton, who “passed peacefully in the early hours of the morning” after being diagnosed with dementia in 2020, lifted three league titles, an FA Cup and a European Cup in a distinguished 17-year career at Old Trafford.
He also scored 49 goals in 106 appearances for the Three Lions, famously helping them win the World Cup in 1966.
“For me, [he is] England’s greatest ever player,” former England striker Gary Lineker told BBC Radio 5 Live.
“You can only judge players that you have seen in your lifetime and I was lucky enough to see him play when I was a young boy. He was one of my heroes, one of many people’s heroes.
“He was unique. Wherever you go in the world, even if they didn’t speak the language, they knew two words – Bobby Charlton.”
Part of Manchester United’s so-called ‘Holy Trinity’ alongside club legends Denis Law and George Best, Charlton scored twice in a famous 4-1 extra-time win against Benfica in the 1968 European Cup final as Sir Matt Busby’s team became the continent’s first English champions.
He was England’s record goalscorer until 2015, when Wayne Rooney surpassed the Ashington-born attacking midfielder’s tally of 49.
“When you read about everything he has done in the game, how many trophies he has won, appearances he has made and goals he has scored, he could have been excused for having a little bit of arrogance about him,” said former Newcastle and England striker Alan Shearer.
England manager Gareth Southgate also paid a heartfelt tribute to Charlton and said: “The privilege of meeting him on several occasions allowed me to understand his personal pride and emotion in having represented England, and simply confirmed in my mind his standing as one of the gentlemen of the game.”
“The world of football will unite in sadness at losing an undisputed legend.”
Charlton survived the Munich air disaster in 1958 which tragically claimed the lives of 23 people, including eight of his United team-mates.
“Sir Bobby was the reason I had the opportunity to play for Manchester United,” said David Beckham, who made his first-team debut for the club aged 17 after attending Charlton’s soccer school. “I owe everything to Sir Bobby.”
Manchester United record goalscorer Rooney, who took charge of his first game as Birmingham City manager at Middlesbrough on Saturday, said: “I’m still in shock. Coming out at half-time for the second half, we heard the news.
“Winning the World Cup in ‘66 and the European Cup in ‘68 after what he’d been through with the Munich disaster - he’s had a great life. He’s a great, an absolute legend of the game.
“He’s an iconic figure around the world,” added Middlesbrough boss Michael Carrick, who spent 12 years at Old Trafford as a player.
“I was lucky enough to get to know him and feel his support and feel what Manchester United meant to him. It was a position I never took for granted.”
“A huge loss for his family and for the Manchester United family and for English football, European football,” said Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola, adding: “A big legend. On behalf of Manchester City our condolences to his family, Manchester United and for everyone because we have the Premier League that we have because of these type of people.”
Geoff Hurst, now the only surviving member of Alf Ramsey’s World Cup-winning side who scored a hat-trick in the 1966 final, took to X to pay tribute to his former team-mate, writing: “Very sad news today. We will never forget him & nor will all of football. A great colleague and friend. He will be sorely missed by all of the country beyond sport alone.”