Englishman Bobby Charlton dies at age 86 – 10/21/2023 – Sport

Bobby Charlton, world champion in 1966, has died at the age of 86. The death was reported this Saturday (21) by the family of the Englishman, one of the great names in the history of football in his country. And lamented by Manchester United, the club he played for between the 1950s and 1970s.

“Sir Bobby was a hero to millions of people, not just in Manchester or the United Kingdom, but everywhere football is played, all over the world”, published the association, whose trajectory is marked by the man from Ashington, who survived a plane crash to help build it.

On February 6, 1958, a plane accident occurred in Munich that was significant for the red club and for the sport. Eight players and three members of the coaching staff of the main England team, then two-time national champions, died.

The list of survivors, however, preserved two names that would go on to be included among the club’s greatest legends: coach Matt Busby (1909-1994), who would accumulate 1,141 appearances on the United bench, and attacking midfielder Bobby Charlton , 20 years old, who would wear the club’s shirt in 758 matches.

Charlton would become one of the greatest heroes of British football, world champion in England’s only victory, in 1966. He was also part of the teams that competed in the 1958, 1962 and 1970 World Cups.

In the last two, he faced Brazil — defeats to the future world champions by 3-1 and 1-0. The defeat to West Germany in the 1970 quarter-finals, by 3-2, marked his farewell to the national team, at 32 years, with 106 matches played and 49 goals.

Robert Charlton was born on October 11, 1937, in Ashington, a small town in the northeast region of England where, two years earlier, his brother John (nicknamed Jack) was born, who would become one of the greatest idols of Leeds United (the only club in throughout his career as a player) and Bobby’s teammate on the England team, including the 1966 title.

Both would become the most illustrious representatives of a family with roots in the fields: no less than four maternal uncles, as well as a cousin, all surnamed Milburn, were professional players.

Bobby’s first contract was signed with Manchester United at the age of 15 in 1953. The following year, he turned professional with a team that would be known as the “Busby Babes”, in reference to the young talents recruited by Matt Busby in his project to rebuild United after the Second World War.

Bobby’s first official professional match was in October 1956, against Charlton Athletic. At that time, he was doing military service, but he was released on weekends and could play. United were English champions that season.

The highlight of his career with the team was the 1968 European title. Captain, it was Bobby who lifted the trophy after the 4-1 win over Benfica at Wembley.

He played for the club until April 28, 1973, when he retired in a defeat to Chelsea in London. He would later play for Preston North End (while also managing) and Waterford United, where he retired in 1976.

His brilliant spell with the English team began just two months after the accident in Munich, in a match against Scotland. In the 1966 World Cup final, however, he had defensive roles: it was up to him to mark the German Franz Beckenbauer, and the stars canceled each other out.

In 1969, he was knighted by the Queen and obtained the title of Sir. Retired from football, he began to dedicate himself to various business and charitable activities, but remained, as a true living legend, on the deliberative board of Manchester United.