Charlton's battle with dementia, diagnosed in November 2020, came to an end, making Sir Geoff Hurst the sole surviving member of England's iconic 1966 World Cup-winning squad. A statement from Charlton's family conveyed the somber news, saying;
Before making his mark in Manchester United's first team in 1956, Charlton showcased his immense talent by clinching three consecutive FA Youth Cups with the Red Devils. This was just the beginning of an illustrious 17-year journey with the senior squad.
As a prominent figure among the "Busby Babes," Charlton achieved remarkable success, including three First Division titles, one FA Cup, one European Cup, and two Charity Shields at Old Trafford. His legacy was also marked by his resilience as a survivor of the tragic Munich Air Disaster in 1958, which claimed the lives of eight of his teammates and 15 others.
Bobby Charlton's legacy at Manchester United is remarkable. Only Ryan Giggs, with 963 appearances, has worn the Red Devils' jersey more times than Charlton, who graced the field 758 times and scored 249 goals. His goal-scoring record stood unbroken for over four decades until Wayne Rooney surpassed it in 2017.
Charlton was celebrated for his exceptional versatility, precise passing, and extraordinary ability to strike the ball. In the 1966 World Cup, he netted three crucial goals on England's path to international glory, earning him the prestigious Golden Ball as the tournament's best player.
The same year, Charlton was honored with the Ballon d'Or, making him only the second Manchester United player to receive this accolade after Denis Law in 1964. In fact, since then, only George Best in 1968 and Cristiano Ronaldo in 2008 have claimed this coveted prize while representing the Red Devils.
In addition to these accolades, Charlton was named the FWA Footballer of the Year in 1966. After concluding his storied career with Manchester United in 1973, he went on to represent Preston North End and Irish club Waterford United before retiring from professional football in 1976.
Charlton made a significant return to Manchester United in 1984, serving as their sporting director for an impressive 39 years. During this period, the Red Devils enjoyed a dominant reign in English football under the stewardship of Sir Alex Ferguson.
His contributions were not limited to the pitch; Charlton's dedication to the sport was recognized with an OBE in 1969 and a CBE in 1974. In 1994, he received a knighthood in Queen Elizabeth II's Birthday Honors.
On the international stage, Charlton left an indelible mark, scoring 49 goals in 106 appearances for England and reigning as the Three Lions' top goal-scorer for 47 years until being overtaken by Wayne Rooney.
