Sir Bobby Charlton was last night celebrated as having achieved “footballing immortality”, with figures from the worlds of sport and politics paying tribute after his death at the age of 86.
Charlton’s death means Sir Geoff Hurst is the only England player who started the 1966 World Cup against West Germany who is still alive. The former West Ham striker, the hat-trick hero of the 4-2 victory 57 years ago, wrote on social media: “We will never forget him and nor will all of football. A great colleague and friend, he will be sorely missed by all of the country, beyond sport alone.”
Charlton, who graduated from Manchester United’s academy and went on to play 758 games in 17 years for the club, was described by United as “a hero to millions, not just in Manchester, or the United Kingdom, but wherever football is played around the world”.
Fans gathered at Old Trafford to lay flowers around the “United Trinity” statue featuring Charlton, George Best and Denis Law, while the team wore black armbands for their fixture at Sheffield United, where the away end sang his name.
Among United figures to pay tribute following the announcement was the former defender Rio Ferdinand, who wrote on X, previously Twitter: “What a true gentleman of not many words, but when he spoke you stood still, stopped what you were doing and listened. A lot of the history was living and breathing through him and he was a constant at the club while I was there, travelling with us all over the world. Win, lose or draw he would be in the changing room wishing us well.
“The words he shared with me at the bottom of those stairs in Moscow, before I went up to lift the Champions League trophy, will stay with me forever.
“What it meant to lift that trophy for United, what it meant for the fans, what it meant for us as a team and what it now meant for myself doing it as captain. It was a privilege for me to even get that moment with him at that specific time.”
Others echoed that praise. David Beckham, who came through the ranks at United having attended Sir Bobby Charlton’s Soccer School, and whose middle name, Robert, was chosen by his parents as a tribute, said: “It all began with Sir Bobby. Sir Bobby was the reason I had the opportunity to play for Manchester United … I will forever be grateful to a man I was named after, someone I looked up to and was a hero to many around the world.
“A true gentleman, family man and truly a national hero … Today is not just a sad day for Manchester United and England, it’s a sad day for football and everything that Sir Bobby represented.”
Gary Neville said Charlton was “the greatest English player and Manchester United’s greatest ambassador. A champion on and off the pitch and a Busby Babe who paved the way for all to come at United.” Eric Cantona dubbed him simply: “One of the best of all time.”
Speaking after United’s 2-1 win at Sheffield United, Erik ten Hag said: “He was outstanding on the pitch and off it. This is a legend, a giant passing away. His achievements are immense and huge, not only in England, globally. I never had the honour to meet him, but I know he was so humble and a big personality. An example for all of us, not only as a footballer. I think some players got inspiration from it today, and they wanted a win to mark it.”
Harry Maguire added: “Sir Bobby came into the dressing room a lot and he lit the place up. He’s an absolute legend of the club. We are delighted to win the game today but this is more than football and our thoughts are with his family. We will miss him, the world will miss him.”
The England manager, Gareth Southgate, led praise from outside the club, calling Charlton “an undisputed legend … The privilege of meeting him on several occasions allowed me to understand his personal pride and emotion in having represented England and simply confirmed in my mind his standing as one of the gentlemen of the game.”
The former England striker Gary Lineker said Charlton had achieved “footballing immortality”, calling him “a truly wonderful footballer and genuinely lovely man. A World Cup winner, United great and, for me, England’s greatest ever player.”
Pep Guardiola said his Manchester City side would play a full part in the tributes when the clubs meet at Old Trafford in the Premier League next Sunday. “This sort of football personality represents English football like no one else can do,” he said.
“I love this country for many things, but one thing is how they take care of legends. Sir Bobby Charlton represents Man United and English football like no one else.”
Clubs around the world also reacted online. AC Milan called him an icon who “will live on forever” while Barcelona hailed a “world football legend”. Gianni Infantino, president of Fifa, world football’s governing body, said Charlton’s impact “spanned generations … Our thoughts and prayers are with everyone who was close to him.”
The Prince of Wales described Charlton as “a true great who will be remembered forever”. William, who is president of the FA, wrote on X: “Sir Bobby Charlton. First Division Champion. European Champion. World Champion. Gentleman. Legend. A true great who will be remembered forever. Thank you Sir Bobby. W.”
Among political figures paying tribute was the prime minister, Rishi Sunak, who said Charlton was “one of the game’s greatest players and was hugely loved”, while the Labour leader, Sir Keir Starmer, said: “Sir Bobby effortlessly combined his legendary skill on the pitch with being a tireless ambassador for the game off it. A genius and a gentleman, Sir Bobby made history as part of the 1966 World Cup team, building a trophy cabinet unrivalled by any Englishman.
“Rest in peace, and thanks for all the memories.”
