Denis Law, the legendary Scottish soccer player who was the sole winner of the Ballon d’Or from Scotland, has passed away at the age of 84. The announcement of Law’s death, a revered figure for Manchester United and the Scotland national team, was made through a statement released by his family and shared by United on Friday.
“It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of our father Denis Law. He put up a strong fight, but now he is finally at peace,” the statement expressed. “We want to express our gratitude to everyone who supported and cared for him, both in the past and more recently. The outpouring of love and support for him was always cherished and truly made a difference.”
Law is forever intertwined with Bobby Charlton and George Best, forming the iconic attacking trio that led Manchester United to English league titles in 1965 and 1967, as well as the historic European Cup victory in 1968 – a first for an English club. These three footballing legends, known as the “Holy Trinity,” each claimed the title of European Footballer of the Year and were recipients of the prestigious Ballon d’Or trophy during a remarkable five-year period from 1964 to 1968. They are commemorated together in a statue at Old Trafford.
Law’s remarkable feat of scoring 46 goals in the 1963-1964 season still stands as a record for a single season at United. His tally of 237 goals for the club is surpassed only by Charlton and Wayne Rooney, with Law boasting a superior goals-per-game ratio. However, one of Law’s most memorable goals came against his own team – in one of his final matches for Manchester City against United at Old Trafford during the 1973-1974 season, his crucial back-heel flick led to a 1-0 victory for City, contributing to United’s relegation.
Fondly known as “The Lawman,” Law’s legacy extends beyond his goal-scoring prowess. Starting his career as a young and visually impaired player in Aberdeen, Law blossomed into a prolific striker and a trailblazer in the evolving landscape of European football. His standout performances earned him record transfer fees to both Manchester United and Manchester City at a young age, as well as a stint in Italy before returning to Old Trafford for an illustrious 11-year tenure.
Law played a pivotal role in United’s resurgence following the tragic Munich air disaster in 1958, which claimed the lives of several members of the team. His goal-scoring prowess helped United clinch the FA Cup in 1963, marking the club’s first trophy post-Munich, followed by two league titles in the subsequent years. His absence due to a knee injury in the European Cup final victory over Benfica at Wembley was a bittersweet moment, but Law had previously made his mark at the same venue by scoring Scotland’s first goal in a historic win over
Denis Law, the legendary footballer, finally made his World Cup debut in 1974 in West Germany at the age of 34. The seasoned veteran was chosen to play for Scotland in their opening match, a 2-0 victory over Zaire. Despite his contribution, he was not selected for the subsequent matches against Brazil and Yugoslavia, which led to Scotland’s elimination from the tournament.
Law decided to retire from professional football in August 1974, leaving behind a legacy as one of soccer’s greatest goal scorers. Following his playing career, he transitioned into the role of a television pundit and presenter for soccer matches, becoming a familiar face in the public eye. He notably spent time with fellow football icon George Best during Best’s final hours before his passing in 2005 due to alcohol-related complications.
In addition to his contributions to the sport, Law also battled and overcame prostate cancer. In recognition of his achievements both on and off the field, Queen Elizabeth II honored him with the title of Commander of the British Empire in 2016 for his services to soccer and charitable endeavors.
However, in 2021, Law received the devastating diagnosis of dementia, adding another chapter to his remarkable life story.
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