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Sir Bobby Charlton, one of the best footballers in England, has been diagnosed with dementia.
The news about the Manchester United great was confirmed on Twitter by the Football Association, which sent its best wishes to him and his family.
And a statement from Sir Bobby’s club read: “Everyone at Manchester United is saddened that this terrible disease has affected Sir Bobby Charlton and we continue to offer our love and support to Sir Bobby and his family.”
Earlier in the day, The Telegraph said his wife, Lady Norma Charlton, was happy that her husband’s diagnosis was reported, in an attempt to raise awareness of the disease.
The 83-year-old star is best known for being part of the England team that won the 1966 World Cup final against West Germany 4-2.
Sir Bobby Charlton holds the World Cup in 1966, flanked by Alan Ball and Captain Bobby Moore
The announcement of his dementia comes after the death of his former Manchester United teammate Nobby Stiles, 78, on FridayAnd his brother Jack Charlton in July. They were both diagnosed with the disease later in life.
The trio were on the World Cup winning team, along with others like Ray Wilson and Martin Peters.
Both Wilson and Peters also had dementia. They died in 2018 and 2019 respectively.
Sir Bobby has dementia, it has been announced
Former England footballer Gary Lineker tweeted: “Yet another hero from our 1966 World Cup winning team has been diagnosed with dementia.
“Perhaps the greatest of them all @Sir Bobby. This is sad and deeply disturbing.”
The National Football Museum tweeted: “Sad news about our president, Sir Bobby Charlton, who has been diagnosed with dementia. Thoughts with Lady Norma, family and friends on what has been a very difficult year.”
And Waterford FC posted this message: “We would like to wish former Waterford FC player Sir Bobby Charlton the best after his recent dementia diagnosis.
“Sir Bobby made three appearances for the Blues in 1976. Best wishes to Sir Bobby, his wife Lady Norma Ball and the Charlton family.”
Sir Bobby played for Manchester United in the top flight of English football
The news about Sir Bobby’s condition will raise further questions about the link between soccer and brain disease.
In October 2019, a study found that former footballers are three and a half times more likely to die of dementia than non-players in the same age range.
The report, commissioned by the FA and the Association of Professional Soccer Players, evaluated the medical records of 7,676 men who played professional soccer between 1900 and 1976.
Sir Bobby, in 1961, is one of the best footballers in England
Their records were compared with more than 23,000 individuals from the general population.
The study findings came 17 years after former England and West Brom forward Jeff Astle died at the age of 59 with what a coroner described as an “industrial injury.”
