David Beckham pays tribute to Sir Bobby Charlton: “Today is a sad day for football”

The football football is in mourning after the death of Sir Bobby Charlton, who passed away at the age of 86 on Saturday.

Charlton is a fundamental part of the history of Manchester United, surviving the plane crash in Munich in 1958 and later forming a team that won the European Cup in 1968.

The 1966 World Cup winner was also part of the success at United in the following years, including the emergence of the ‘Class of ‘92′ where David Beckham emerged. On Saturday, Beckham paid tribute to the United great.

Through an emotional message on his Instagram account, the current co-owner of Inter Miami described it as a sad day for football and took the opportunity to thank Sir Bobby, who helped him fulfil his dream of playing for Manchester United.

Beckham’s emotional message

“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 am 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 isn’t just a sad day for Manchester United and England, it’s a sad day for football and everything that Sir Bobby represented... Our thoughts go out to Lady Norma, there [sic] daughters and grandchildren x Rest in peace Sir Bobby x,” wrote Beckham.