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USA Today Sports Media Group
USA Today Sports Media Group
Sport
Cory Woodroof

Sports world mourns death of English soccer legend Sir Bobby Charlton

One of the true legends of English soccer has died.

Sir Bobby Charlton died at the age of 86 his family confirmed on Saturday, leaving behind a towering legacy in the sport.

He was a key member of the historic 1966 FIFA World Cup-winning England team where he also won the Ballon d’Or, and he scored 199 goals with Manchester United as one of its banner players from 1956-73.

He scored 49 goals for England while he played for the national team to join his incredible scoring tally with Manchester United.

Charlton is only one of nine players to ever win a World Cup, the European Cup in the now-Champions League and the Ballon d’Or. He was also a surviving member of the 1958 Munich air disaster that claimed the lives of a number of Charlton’s Manchester United teammates.

He inspired many future soccer players with his career on the pitch, including English soccer legend David Beckham. One of Beckham’s middle names is “Robert,” which honors Charlton’s accomplishments.

Beckham shared a tribute to Charlton’s life on Instagram after news of his death broke.

Many around the sports world paid tribute to Charlton and his monumental life in the game of soccer.

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