Former Manchester United captain, Sir Bobby Charlton passed away in the wee hours on Saturday morning aged 86. The former midfielder was suffering from dementia since 2020. As Charlton passes away, let us take a look at the inspiring career of the player that Manchester United termed as ” one of the greatest and most beloved players in the history of our club”.
Rising from the shadows of one of football’s greatest tragedies — the Munich Air Disaster — Sir Bobby Charlton embarked on a remarkable journey in the beautiful game. Just six years after a plane carrying his Manchester United teammates crashed, killing 23 people, he steered England towards their legendary World Cup triumph in 1966. Further, he led the Red Devils to become the first English team to clinch the European Cup two years later.
Even 46 years after his retirement, Sir Bobby Charlton embodies the term ‘legendary’ in the Theatre of Dreams. A native of the sleepy coal mining town of Ashington, Charlton began his career with United as an apprentice in 1953. He made his first-team debut three years later, although he didn’t become a regular until the first half of 1957.
In February 1958, he scored twice in a 3-3 draw against Red Star Belgrade, from which United was returning when calamity happened in Munich. Charlton, who was 20 at the time, sustained minor injuries in the accident.
Charlton survived the incident but had severe shock with injuries to his head. Eight days after the disaster, he made his way back to England, where he made the heartbreaking decision to never play again.
Charlton overcame the trauma to assist Sir Matt Busby to begin a rebuilding process. A World Cup winner by ’66, Charlton and 8 other survivors of the 1958 Munich Air Disaster formed the formidable ‘Busby Babes’, helmed by the legenadary Busby.
Charlton’s importance for the Three Lions was indisuptable too, with England manager Sir Alf Ramsey referring to him as “the lynchpin”. England beat Mexico 2-0 in the group stage and scored the infamous Wembley blockbuster with his right foot from 25 yards out. He later scored the two goals that helped his team defeat Portugal in the semifinals.
Man United legend & England’s 1966 World Cup hero Sir Bobby Charlton passes away
The English football team’s finest accomplishment is undoubtedly their victory in the 1966 final. observing the Charlton brothers sobbing on the ground together after the 4-2 victory over West Germany in the extra period.
Sir Bobby Charlton’s brilliance continued to illuminate the stages for both Manchester United and the England. Accompanied by Denis Law, who joined from Torino in 1962 for a British record transfer fee, and the electric George Best, they collectively formed the celebrated Holy Trinity.
Under the continued vision of Busby, the building process of the team gained momentum, culminating in English title triumphs in 1965 and 1967. The pinnacle of their journey arrived a year later, as Manchester United soared to the final of the European Cup. In a gripping and emotional night at Wembley, Bobby Charlton led them to a resounding 4-1 victory against Benfica, With the lifting of the trophy, Manchester United etched their name as the first English club to win European Championship.
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