(Reuters) -England and Manchester United soccer great Bobby Charlton died on Saturday aged 86. Following are reactions to his death from around the world:
FORMER ENGLAND STRIKER, 1966 WORLD CUP WINNER GEOFF HURST
“Very sad news today. One of the true greats Sir Bobby Charlton has passed away. We will never forget him & nor will all of football.
“A great colleague & friend, he will be sorely missed by all of the country beyond sport alone. Condolences to his family & friends from Geoff and Judith.”
FORMER UNITED AND ENGLAND MIDFIELDER DAVID BECKHAM
“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, not just in Manchester and our country where he won the World Cup in 1966…
“A true gentleman, family man and truly a national hero… Today is not just a sad day for Manchester United & England, it’s a sad day for football and everything that Sir Bobby represented.
“Our thoughts go out to Lady Norma, their daughters and his grandchildren. Rest in peace Sir Bobby. Today our hearts are heavy.”
FORMER UNITED AND ENGLAND DEFENDER GARY NEVILLE
“A champion on and off the pitch and a Busby Babe that paved the way for all to come at United. Rest In Peace Sir Bobby.”
FORMER ENGLAND FORWARD GARY LINEKER
“Deeply saddened to hear that Sir Bobby Charlton has died. A truly wonderful footballer and genuinely lovely man. A World Cup winner, Man Utd great and, for me, England’s greatest ever player.
“He may no longer be with us but he’ll have footballing immortality. RIP Sir Bobby.”
ENGLISH FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION
“We are extremely saddened to learn of the passing of former England captain Sir Bobby Charlton.
“A full tribute to Sir Bobby will be paid at Wembley Stadium when England play Malta on Friday 17 November.”
THE PREMIER LEAGUE
“The Premier League is deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Sir Bobby Charlton, one of the greatest players in English football history.”
ENGLAND NATIONAL TEAM
“It is with a heavy heart that we have learned of the passing of Sir Bobby Charlton.
“An integral part of our 1966 FIFA World Cup winning campaign, Sir Bobby won 106 caps and scored 49 times for the #ThreeLions. A true legend of our game. We will never forget you, Sir Bobby.”
FIFA PRESIDENT GIANNI INFANTINO
“On behalf of FIFA, and the global football family, I send my deepest condolences to the family and friends of Sir Bobby Charlton.
“We mourn the loss of one of England’s 1966 FIFA World Cup winning team and a football legend, whose impact on the game spanned generations.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with everyone who was close to him, his former teammates, The Football Association and Manchester United. Rest In Peace.”
UK PRIME MINISTER RISHI SUNAK
“Very sad to hear of the death of Sir Bobby Charlton. He has a place in history as one of the game’s greatest players and was hugely loved. Rest in peace Sir Bobby.”
EUROPEAN SOCCER’S GOVERNING BODY UEFA
“On behalf of the entire European football community, we are deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Sir Bobby Charlton, one of the game’s true greats.”
GERMAN FOOTBALL LEAGUE DFL
“We are saddened to hear that one of the greatest players in football history and World Cup winner 1966 passed away. Rest in peace, Sir Bobby Charlton.”
(Compiled by Tommy Lund in Gdansk, editing by Ed Osmond)
