Long after the final whistle had blown at Old Trafford, various groups, including players, coaching staff, directors, and celebrity VIPs, were making their way back home.

Outside the players’ entrance, children eagerly sought the players’ autographs, their faces lit with excitement.

Meanwhile, a man in his eighties gracefully exited through the directors’ door, taking a stroll along the Munich tunnel. Dressed in his distinctive long, black coat and fedora, he stood out in the vicinity of the iconic stadium. Fans paused to admire the footballing legend he was: Sir Bobby Charlton.

The term ‘legend’ was redefined by figures like Charlton, individuals who had nearly lost their lives representing their club during the tragic events at Munich airport in 1958.

A player who emerged from that horrific night to not only raise the World Cup for England in 1966 but also clinch the European Cup for Manchester United in 1968.

Decades before satellite TV made instant stars out of lesser talents, Charlton’s fame had already stretched across the globe.

Those boots of his contained an incredible power. The footballs of his era were akin to medicine balls compared to their modern counterparts, yet he could launch them with a merciless force that left goalkeepers helpless.

Jimmy Greaves, the greatest goalscorer of his time at Tottenham, described Charlton’s long-range strikes as if he were a man possessed, determined to separate the leather casing from the bladder.

Charlton’s tenure at United spanned from 1956 to 1973, during which he secured three league titles, the FA Cup, and the European Cup.

While some might remember that era for the emergence of George Best, Best himself remembered it for the privilege of playing alongside Charlton.

Best once commented, “I don’t think I’ve ever seen anybody who could beat players as easily as him, myself included.”

“I often used my pace but Bobby made it look effortless. And once he got within 30 yards of goal, he was lethal with either foot.”

In an age when the term ‘loyalty’ has seemingly vanished from English football, it thrived at United, where Charlton set benchmarks for others to emulate.

It wasn’t until the 2008 Champions League final that Ryan Giggs surpassed Charlton’s record of 758 appearances for the club. Similarly, it took until 2017 for Wayne Rooney to surpass Charlton’s club-record goalscoring tally of 249.

Remarkably, only in 2015 did Rooney manage to exceed Charlton’s England goalscoring record of 49, and Charlton spent much of his career as a midfielder.

A versatile player, Charlton could excel in various positions, contributing both in creating goals and scoring them, while also displaying exceptional athleticism that left opponents awestruck.

German football great Franz Beckenbauer even compared Charlton’s stamina to the ‘lungs of a horse.’

Modern football greats held Sir Bobby in the same high regard as those who faced him or witnessed his play firsthand.

Supporters like David Beckham’s father, Ted, even named his son after his favourite player, giving him the middle name Robert.

While Giggs boasts the most decorated career in United’s history, he always acknowledged Charlton as the best.

Giggs once stated, “I think he just epitomises Manchester United.”

“He was one of the best players there’s ever been and he’s someone who is humble, approachable and who oozes class.”

“He’s a great person to know and he’s someone who has inspired me and helped me throughout my career.”

For Charlton, his legend was built upon as much by moments of tragedy as those of triumph.

At the age of 20, Charlton was pulled from the wreckage of the Munich air crash by his teammate Harry Gregg. Regrettably, eight of his fellow teammates were among the 23 who lost their lives.

Charlton spent a week in the hospital before returning to his family home in Ashington to recover. There, he rediscovered his touch by playing football with local kids near his house.

Now, he was a young man tasked with leading the club back to achieve the dream that had been shattered in the snow and slush of Munich: lifting a European Cup.

The emotional zenith came on May 29, 1968, at Wembley when Sir Matt Busby’s rebuilt side defeated Benfica 4-1 after extra time. It would take 40 more years, in 2008, for Sir Alex Ferguson to call upon Sir Bobby to address the contemporary players, including stars like Cristiano Ronaldo and Rooney, at the Carrington training ground.

Ferguson implored Charlton, “Tell them about Munich, Bobby. Tell them about the makings of this place.”

“Tell them what was passed to them so many years ago, before they were born, what they should represent every time they go out on the field. Tell them what it means to play for this club.”

A few months later, those players secured the European Cup for the third time in the club’s history.

In private moments, the weight of the Munich tragedy continued to burden Charlton’s heart.

Approaching the 60th anniversary in 2018, he confessed, “Yes, it still touches me every day. Sometimes it fills me with a terrible regret and sadness — and guilt that I survived, walked away and found so much.”

His name adorns the south stand at Old Trafford, while the club museum and the Munich tunnel preserve his memories. Manchester United, as we know it today, would not exist without him.

Though he may no longer be with us, his spirit continues to pulse at the very heart of the club.

England performance and stats

England is currently playing the Euro Qualification. It won its previous match 3-1 against Italy.

Manchester United performance and stats

Manchester United is currently 10th in the Premier League with 12 points.

In the last 8 games, it has won 4 times and lost 4 times. In its last match, Manchester United won 2-1 against Brentford.​​

It has a negative goal difference after scoring 9 goals and conceding 12.​

Manchester United will play the next match in Premier League against Manchester City on Sunday 29th of October in Manchester.​

Embed from Getty Images

Embed from Getty Images

The post The remarkable journey of Bobby Charlton, Rising from Munich’s ashes to captain Manchester United to European success and inspire future legends appeared first on Soccer Tonic.