2023-10-21 21:51:00
Eight years before the World Cup triumph, on February 6, 1958, Charlton had miraculously survived the Manchester United team’s plane crash in Munich-Riem.
“Manchester United mourns the loss of Sir Bobby Charlton, one of the greatest and most popular players in the history of our club,” said the English record champions on Saturday.
His family had previously confirmed the death. Charlton had spent most of his illustrious career with the Red Devils, becoming champions there three times and winning the European Cup in 1968.
However, he had barely visited Old Trafford since his dementia diagnosis in 2020.
Lineker: “For me, England’s greatest player of all time”
England football came to a standstill for a moment on Saturday. “I’m deeply sad. He was a really wonderful footballer and a really lovely man,” wrote former international Gary Lineker on us, but as a footballer he is immortal.”
United’s away game at Sheffield United in the evening was also dominated by Charlton. Captain Bruno Fernandes led Manchester onto the field with a wreath in his hand, which he placed at the center circle.
Man United wins for Sir Bobby
Fans and players from both teams then remembered Charlton with a sustained round of applause, while a photo from his time as a player was shown on the scoreboard.
“We want to win for Sir Bobby,” midfielder Scott McTominay said before the game. So it was. A few hours following the death of the 1966 world champion, United won 2-1 (1-1) at bottom side Sheffield United.
Rummenigge: Charlton a “true gentleman”
There was also international mourning. “He was a great person and a true gentleman who FC Bayern valued very much,” said Munich supervisory board member Karl-Heinz Rummenigge. FIFA President Gianni Infantino spoke of a “football legend whose influence on the game has spanned generations.” Spain’s top club FC Barcelona even stopped its annual general meeting for a minute’s silence.
The greatest success of Charlton’s career was undoubtedly the World Cup triumph. In the final in London, England defeated the German national team 4-2 following extra time thanks to the legendary Wembley goal. “England might only win once morest us in 1966 because Bobby Charlton was a little bit better than me,” Franz Beckenbauer once said.
Hurst mourns the loss of his 1966 teammate
Now Geoff Hurst is the only living World Cup hero from England’s 1966 starting eleven. “Today there is very sad news: one of the greats, Sir Bobby Charlton, has died,” said the 81-year-old Hurst on Saturday via X with: “All of football will never forget him. A great colleague and friend who will be sorely missed by the entire country beyond sport.”
The key moment in Charlton’s life was undoubtedly that tragic February 6, 1958. When United coaching legend Matt Busby’s “Busby Babes” crashed at Munich-Riem Airport, 20-year-old Charlton was thrown from the plane – and survived. 23 of the 44 people on the plane died, including eight of his teammates.
Charlton: “That day changed my life”
“That day,” Charlton once said, “changed my life.” His brother Jack, world champion with him in 1966, asked him following the accident what had happened. “At first he didn’t want to talk regarding it, then he said: ‘I’ll tell you now, but then never ask me regarding it once more!'” His brother Tom said: “After Munich he closed himself off from the outside world, I think he never did got over it.”
England mourns: Bobby Charlton is dead
Fotocredit: SID
Since that day, they say at United, Charlton has fought for his “fallen colleagues” in every game. All his successes “never changed him,” emphasized Sir Alex Ferguson, whom Charlton made United team manager in 1986. Charlton is who he always was, a gentleman, “quiet, shy – and that’s fantastic.”
His wife, Lady Norma, was always at Charlton’s side. When he appeared in public as a United director or in the fight once morest landmines, she adjusted his tie or arranged his cutlery. “This girl,” Ferguson said, “has been his rock, his whole life, she’s an incredible person. This is a wonderful partnership.”
Now Charlton leaves behind not only Norma, but also their daughters Suzanne and Andrea and three grandchildren. And a football nation in deep mourning.
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