2023-10-21 19:55:00
Legend of Manchester United and the English team, Bobby Charlton He died this Saturday at the age of 86. Winner of everything with “ManU”, world champion with his country in 1966 and member of one of the most remembered attacking tridents in history, Sir Bobby left his legacy in the annals of football creators.
A survivor of the Munich air tragedy that cost the lives of eight of his Manchester United teammates in 1958, he overcame that dark moment to win the World Cup with England in 1966 and two years later the European Cup with the United States. Red Devils. To date, it is the only world title that the British team has held.
Remembered for his quality in passing the ball and his mid-range shot, the winner of the Ballon d’Or in 1966 became a symbol of elegance and sporting spirit. “There has never been a more appreciated footballer,” said his former United coach, Matt Busby, who, like Charlton, survived the plane crash. “He was close to perfection as a man and as a player,” he added. Much more than a midfielder, Charlton He scored goals with the regularity of a striker.
“He was an attractive player and a delicious scorer, he scored goals from 30 meters all over the squad”described it by Denis Law, his accomplice in United’s golden era.
Charlton’s life
Born in Ashington, a working-class town in the northeast of England on October 11, 1937, Charlton He joined United when he was 15. Reconstructing following the Second World War, the club prioritized the signing of young talents. With Matt Busby at the helm and Charlton as a leader on the field, the ‘Busby Babes’ became champions of England in 1957.
This title meant the team qualified for the European Cup the following season. Returning from the quarterfinals once morest Red Star Belgrade on February 6, 1958, air tragedy struck the group.
After a stopover in Munich to fill up the fuel tank, The plane carrying the team made two failed takeoff attempts and crashed on the third.
Charlton He was ejected from the plane, but only suffered minor injuries. In total 23 people lost their lives in the accident.
One of the victims was Duncan Edwards, 21 years old, another of the team’s great promises, whom Charlton described him as “the only player” who made him feel “inferior.” “I still remember it today and it affects me every day,” he wrote. Charlton in his autobiography ‘My Manchester United Years’, published in 2007.
The “Holy Trinity” of Manchester
Three years later, along with his older brother Jack, Bobby Charlton He leads England to victory in the World Cup he hosted in 1966. The ‘Three Lions’ leader scored three goals in the competition, including a double once morest Eusebio’s Portugal team in the semi-finals. England won the final once morest the West Germany of a young Franz Beckenbauer (4-2 following extra time).
Ten years following the Munich tragedy, also on the Wembley pitch, he made history once more by winning the European Club Cup with United. along with George Best and Denis Law, with whom he forms the “Holy Trinity”.
He retired from the national team following the 1970 World Cup with 49 goals, a record that was only broken by Wayne Rooney in 2015 (later surpassed by Harry Kane).
His long and glorious career at United ended in 1973 following 17 years, 758 games and 249 goals. Player-coach at Preston North End the following year and following a brief spell with the Irish team Waterford United, he returned home in 1984 to join United’s management.
His career opened the doors to all honors, made Sir by Queen Elizabeth II in 1994. Since 2008 a statue of Charlton and his teammates Law and Best was placed in front of Old Trafford and in 2016 a stand in the stadium was renamed with his name.
According to former United CEO Ed Woodward, “Bobby “He is simply the most iconic personality in the history of English football.” “A player, an ambassador, a gentleman and a great charity worker, he represents everything that is good in football and at Manchester United,” he added.
Charlton’s sayings regarding Maradona and Messi
In an exclusive interview he gave to the magazine The graphic In 2012, Charlton warned that Lionel Messi might surpass the figure of Diego Maradona in football. He even drew a comparison with Alfredo Di Stéfano.
“Messi can surpass Maradona, but he is a different player than Di Stéfano. In reality, he is so young that he can surpass everyone, keep all the records,” the world champion then considered.
However, he analyzed: “But Messi influences his team only when he receives the ball. That is the big difference with Di Stéfano.”
AFP/Gi
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