The last picture of Sir Bobby Charlton: Brave star posed for snap while taking covid jab in 2021 despite ongoing battle with dementia

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Sir Bobby Charlton’s last photograph has been revealed as it was announced today that the footballing legend has tragically passed away following a battle with dementia at the age of 86. 

The 1966 World Cup winner bravely posed for snaps as he got his coronavirus vaccine in 2021, despite already fighting the disease. 

Dressed in a white shirt and red sweater in a nod to his beloved Manchester United, Sir Bobby was smiling widely in the photo as he held an NHS leaflet about the jabs.

It came a year after his wife Norma announced the footballer had been diagnosed with the disease, which also took the life of his brother Jack, in 2020. 

The England and Manchester United player is survived by Lady Norma, their two children Suzanne and Andrea and his grandchildren.

This is believed to be the last photo of Sir Bobby Charlton on February 20, 2021. He received a vaccine to help protect him against COVID-19 as celebrities tried to encourage as many people to get the jab

Bobby Charlton (R) celebrates England’s 1966 World Cup victory. From left to right: Jack Charlton, Nobby Stiles, Gordon Banks (behind), Alan Ball, Martin Peters, Geoff Hurst, Bobby Moore, Ray Wilson, George Cohen and Bobby Charlton

Sir Bobby Charlton (pictured holding a ball with United written on it during an interview with local press at a hotel in Hong Kong in 2005) will forever go down as one of the greatest players to play for Man United and England

He made an impressive 758 appearances for the club during his career and was capped 106 times for his nation. 

In 2016, a stand at Old Trafford was re-named in his honour. 

Following his death, Sir Geoff Hurst – who famously scored a hat-trick in England’s 4-2 victory over West Germany at Wembley – is now the only member of the team still alive. Former England right-back George Cohen also died, aged 83, in December.

A statement from the family of Sir Bobby said: ‘It is with great sadness that we share the news that Sir Bobby passed peacefully in the early hours of Saturday morning. He was surrounded by his family.

‘His family would like to pass on their thanks to everyone who has contributed to his care and for the many people who have loved and supported him. We would request that the family’s privacy be respected at this time.’

Manchester United said they were mourning ‘one of the greatest and most beloved players in the history of our club.’

Sir Bobby had withdrawn from public life since he was diagnosed with dementia in November 2020, just four months after his elder brother Jack Charlton – another 1966 hero – died aged 85.

He was heartbreakingly unable to attend his brother’s funeral due to his own illness.

Man United paid tribute in a statement saying: ‘Manchester United are in mourning following the passing of Sir Bobby Charlton, one of the greatest and most beloved players in the history of our club.

‘Sir Bobby was a hero to millions, not just in Manchester, or the United Kingdom, but wherever football is played around the world.

‘He was admired as much for his sportsmanship and integrity as he was for his outstanding qualities as a footballer; Sir Bobby will always be remembered as a giant of the game.

Pictured: Sir Bobby Charlton attends the unveiling of a stand renamed in his honour in 2016

Sir Bobby Charlton was knighted by Queen Elizabeth II in 1994, having previously been awarded the OBE and CBE

Charlton (R) is one of the ‘Holy Trinity’ along with George Best (L) and Denis Law (R) who are immortalised in a statue outside Old Trafford

Manchester United said they were mourning ‘one of the greatest and most beloved players in the history of our club’

‘A graduate of our youth Academy, Sir Bobby played 758 games and scored 249 goals during 17 years as a Manchester United player, winning the European Cup, three league titles and the FA Cup. For England, he won 106 caps and scored 49 goals for England, and won the 1966 World Cup.

READ MORE: With the death of Sir Bobby Charlton, the last gentleman of our national sport has departed… humble, brave and abundantly talented, the Manchester United and England legend was born to be an inspiration 

‘Following his retirement, he went on to serve the club with distinction as a director for 39 years. His unparalleled record of achievement, character and service will be forever etched in the history of Manchester United and English football; and his legacy will live on through the life-changing work of the Sir Bobby Charlton Foundation.

‘The club’s heartfelt sympathies are with his wife Lady Norma, his daughters and grandchildren, and all who loved him.’

News of Sir Bobby’s dementia diagnosis three years ago sparked upset but also more frustration as he became yet another of England’s heroes to suffer from the illness. 

In a column for The Sun this week, West Ham vice-chairman Karren Brady said that football has no choice but to change.

‘There are injuries and then there are injuries without healing. The worst by far is dementia,’ she said.

Brady welcomed measures which are being introduced to limit the injuries caused by repeatedly heading a ball.

Sir Bobby’s death comes less than a year after his former team-mate George Cohen died.

Cohen was vice-captain of the first and only England squad that became world champions, having made his international debut in 1962 and become a mainstay in Alf Ramsey’s side four years later.

Captain Bobby Moore, Gordon Banks, Jack Charlton, Ray Wilson, Nobby Stiles, Alan Ball, Martin Peters and Roger Hunt have all also tragically died.

Sir Bobby’s former club Man United are playing Sheffield United at Bramall Lane later tonight.

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