England World Cup winner Sir Bobby Charlton diagnosed with dementia
England World Cup winner and Manchester United legend Sir Bobby Charlton has been diagnosed with dementia.
The news follows the deaths of his older brother Jack in July and fellow World Cup-winner Nobby Stiles on Friday, both of whom had also been diagnosed with dementia.
Sir Bobby, 83, won three league titles, a European Cup and an FA Cup with United during 17 years at Old Trafford.
“Stay strong, we love you,” said United striker Marcus Rashford.
His wife, Lady Norma Charlton, expressed the hope that the knowledge of his diagnosis – first reported by the Telegraph – could help others.
Manchester United said in a statement: “Everyone at Manchester United is saddened that this terrible disease has afflicted Sir Bobby Charlton and we continue to offer our love and support to Sir Bobby and his family.”
Rashford, 23, said on Instagram: “Sir Bobby, you are my hero and I am devastated that you are having to go through this.
“I filmed alongside this man as a child and was in awe. I still am when I see you. This man, from day one, was everything I wanted to be. Kind, professional, caring, talented.”
Yet another hero of our 1966 World Cup winning team has been diagnosed with dementia. Perhaps the greatest of them all, @SirBobby. This is both very sad and deeply concerning.
— Gary Lineker (@GaryLineker) November 1, 2020
Air crash survivor and Ballon d’Or winner
Joining United in 1953, he scored 249 goals in 758 games for the club, long-standing records which were eventually broken by Wayne Rooney in 2017 and Ryan Giggs in 2008 respectively.
Born in Ashington, Northumberland, he remained England’s record goal scorer until Rooney surpassed him against Switzerland in September 2015.
At the age of 20, Sir Bobby was a survivor of the Munich air crash of 1958 in which 23 people died, including eight of his Manchester United team-mates.
He inspired United to a first European Cup win in 1968, scoring twice in the final, and was awarded the Ballon d’Or in 1966 after playing every minute of England’s World Cup victory.
Sir Bobby came second in the BBC Sports Personality of the Year Award in 1958 and 1959. In 2008, he received the lifetime achievement award.
United renamed Old Trafford’s South Stand in honour of Sir Bobby in 2016.