Former Ballon d’Or winner, Law, diagnosed with dementia

Manchester United legend and Scotland great Denis Law has been diagnosed with dementia.

The 81-year-old, who says he has Alzheimer’s and vascular dementia, is the latest former United player to disclose that he is suffering from the degenerative brain disease.

Law’s former United teammate Sir Bobby Charlton was diagnosed with the condition in 2020.

“This will not be an easy journey especially for the people who love you the most,” the 81-year-old said.

“I recognise how my brain is deteriorating and how my memory evades me when I don’t want it to and how this causes me distress in situations that are beyond my control.

“I do understand what is happening and that is why I want to address my situation now whilst I am able, because I know there will be days when I don’t understand and I hate the thought of that right now.”

Law claimed the Ballon d’Or in 1964 and won 55 caps for Scotland, scoring 30 international goals. Alongside Sir Bobby Charlton and George Best at Manchester United, Law formed what was proclaimed the United Trinity.

He won the European Cup, two English titles and the FA Cup in his 11 years at Old Trafford.