Denis Law, Ballon d'Or Winner, Dies at 84

Cataleya

January 18, 2025 · 1 min read

Denis Law, Ballon d'Or Winner, Dies at 84
FootBall | January 18, 2025
Denis Law, the former Scotland and Manchester United striker has passed away at the age of 84, according to a family statement. (Image: AP)

Denis Law, the former Scotland, Manchester United and Manchester City striker, passed away at the age of 84. Law, the only Scottish player to win the Ballon d’Or spent 11 years at Manchester United where he scored 237 goals in 404 appearances, ranking as the club’s third all-time top scorer. Born in Aberdeen, Law began his career at Huddersfield Town before transferring to Manchester City in 1960.

He then moved to Torino in Italy, eventually joining United in 1962 and ending his playing career at City in 1974. During his career, Law won numerous accolades including the European Cup with United in 1968, though he missed the final due to injury. He also secured one FA Cup, two English league titles and helped Scotland win the British Home Championship six times. Law earned the 1964 Ballon d’Or after a standout year in which he scored 11 goals in seven Scotland appearances.

He also became Scotland’s joint all-time top scorer with 30 goals in 55 appearances. In 2021, doctors diagnosed Law with Alzheimer’s and vascular dementia. After battling these conditions, Law passed away. His family expressed gratitude for the support he received and thanked fans for their love and care. Manchester United and the Scotland national team mourned his loss, remembering him as “the King” and a “true great.”

After retiring from football, Denis Law focused on charity work through the Denis Law Legacy Trust which promotes community engagement and sport. In 2016, the Queen appointed him CBE. Statues in his honor stand at Old Trafford and Aberdeen. Tributes poured in from the football world including Manchester City, Aberdeen and Huddersfield Town, who all hailed him as a football legend and icon.