Bobby Charlton, the legendary Manchester United icon and England’s World Cup hero, has passed away at the age of 86, as confirmed by his family in a statement on Saturday.
Charlton played a pivotal role in England’s triumphant 1966 World Cup team and achieved remarkable success with Manchester United. In 1968, he helped the club secure the first-ever European Cup win for an English team.
A statement released on behalf of the Charlton family expressed, “It is with deep sorrow that we announce the peaceful passing of Sir Bobby early on Saturday morning, surrounded by his loved ones.”
Notably, Manchester United also acknowledged the loss with a statement, stating, “Manchester United is in mourning following the sad news of Sir Bobby Charlton’s passing, an iconic and cherished figure in the history of our club.”
Charlton’s European Cup victory was a testament to his resilience, coming ten years after the tragic Munich air disaster that he and team manager Matt Busby survived. However, the crash claimed the lives of eight of Charlton’s fellow teammates.
