Sir Bobby Charlton, England World Cup winner and Manchester United legend, has died aged 86.
In a statement, his family said: “It is with great sadness that we share the news that Sir Bobby passed peacefully in the early hours of Saturday morning.
“He was surrounded by his family. His family would like to pass on their thanks to everyone who has contributed to his care and for the many people who have loved and supported him.
“We would request that the family’s privacy be respected at this time.”
Follow live: Tributes paid to England and Man Utd football legend Sir Bobby Charlton
Manchester United said: “The club is in mourning following the passing of Sir Bobby Charlton, one of the greatest and most beloved players in the history of our club.
“Sir Bobby was a hero to millions, not just in Manchester, or the United Kingdom, but wherever football is played around the world.
“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.
“The club’s heartfelt sympathies are with his wife Lady Norma, his daughters and grandchildren, and all who loved him.”
Sir Bobby, one of England’s greatest footballers, played 103 times for his country and scored 49 goals.
Pic: AP
He was part of the team that beat West Germany in the 1966 World Cup final at Wembley.
In a 17-year playing career for United, he played 758 games and scored 249 goals – both of which were longstanding records until, respectively, Ryan Giggs in 2008 and Wayne Rooney in 2017 surpassed his feats.
Charlton survived the Munich Air Disaster when he was aged 20.
He retired from playing football in 1976. He joined the board of directors at Manchester United in 1984 where he remained for 39 years.
He also established the Sir Bobby Charlton Foundation in 2011 which focused on removing landmines in former war zones.
Read more: Charlton was one of the game’s greatest players and a gentleman of English football
Manchester United said in its statement that Charlton’s “unparalleled record of achievement, character and service will be forever etched in the history of Manchester United and English football; and his legacy will live on through the life-changing work of the Sir Bobby Charlton Foundation”.
In 2020, Charlton was diagnosed with dementia.
Household names from the footballing world paid tribute to Charlton on Saturday after his death was announced.
Fellow World Cup winner Geoff Hurst said Charlton was “one of the true greats”.
“We will never forget him and nor will all of football. A great colleague and friend, he will be sorely missed by all of the country.”
Gary Lineker said he was “a truly wonderful footballer and genuinely lovely man”.
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‘One of the greatest players ever’
“A World Cup winner, Manchester United great and, for me, England’s greatest ever player. He may no longer be with us but he’ll have footballing immortality,” Lineker said in a post on X, formerly known as Twitter.
Gary Neville said Charlton was the “greatest English football player and Manchester United’s greatest ambassador”.
“A champion on and off the pitch and a Busby babe that paved the way for all to come at United,” he said.
Meanwhile, John Terry said Charlton was “a true great and a wonderful man”.
“Absolute gentleman whenever I met him. No doubt for me the greatest English player of all time,” Jamie Carragher said.