Denis Law, the legendary Scottish footballer who has left an indelible mark in the football history, passed away at the age of 81. Throughout his career, Law was recognised as one of the foremost footballers of his generation.
He was born on 24 February 1940 in Aberdeen, Scotland. Law began his professional football career in his hometown with Huddersfield Town, before moving on to play for Manchester City. His definitive years, however, were with Manchester United, where he played from 1962 to 1973.
During his time at Manchester United, he forged a formidable partnership with Bobby Charlton and George Best. The talented trio became known as the “United Trinity” and under their lead, the team won the First Division in 1965 and 1967. In 1963, Law was instrumental in Manchester United’s victorious FA Cup campaign.
Aside from winning the English league, Law also won various individual accolades. In 1964, he was awarded the prestigious Ballon d’Or, an annual football award presented by France Football. He was the first-ever Scottish player to win this award.
Law played a total of 55 games for Scotland, scoring 30 goals and going down in history as one of the country’s greatest football talents. Nevertheless, his international career was marred by Scotland’s failure to progress in the 1974 World Cup. Although Law scored a memorable goal against Zaire in the tournament, the team did not advance past the group stage.
Furthermore, Law was known for his significant contribution to the community. After retiring from professional football, he dedicated his time to charity work for organisations like Cancer Research UK and the Meningitis Trust.
Despite facing health challenges in his later years, including prostate cancer and Alzheimer’s disease, Law continued to be involved in football. He participated in public speaking events and occasionally provided commentary for football matches.
Denis Law leaves behind a remarkable legacy in the world of football and is fondly remembered for both his extraordinary talent on the pitch and his commitment to serving the community.
Last modified: January 19, 2025
