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Jimmy Greaves (archive image)
Photo: David Ashdown / Getty Images
He scored more than 200 goals for Tottenham Hotspur in the 1960s, he also set records at Chelsea FC, in 1966 he became world champion at his sporting height: Jimmy Greaves was once one of the best attackers in the world.
Now, at the age of 81, the Englishman has passed away.
"Greavsie", as he was called by his fans, fell asleep early on Sunday morning, as the Spurs announced in an official statement.
The club was "extremely saddened" by the death of its record scorer.
Greaves was one of the best strikers in the world around 60 years ago.
He scored more than 400 goals in more than 600 games for Tottenham, Chelsea and West Ham United.
He was injured in the 1966 World Cup final between Germany and England, but he won the title anyway.
For the Three Lions, he scored 44 times in 57 games.
He only ended his career in 1980.
Lots of ups and downs
In addition to the world title, he won the European Cup Winners' Cup with Tottenham in 1963 (Greaves met twice in the final against Atlético) and the FA Cup in 1962 and 1967.
Between 1959 and 1969 he was the top scorer six times.
With 357 goals in the former First Division, Greaves is the most successful striker in British football history.
Behind him are Alan Shearer (283 goals) and Nat Lofthouse (253 goals).
Greaves not only experienced highs - numerous lows shaped his career.
“I'm Jimmy Greaves.
I am a professional footballer.
I'm an alcoholic. «This is how his first biography» Greavsie «, which appeared in 1978, began.
"I completely lost the 1970s," he once said. According to his own statements, he was "continuously" drunk from 1972 to 1977.
He overcame his addiction in the late 1970s and subsequently became a popular TV host.
He also worked as a television critic and wrote a column for the British tabloid "The Sun".
As early as 2015, fans worried about Greaves' condition.
Because of a severe stroke, he had been in an intensive care unit.
Greaves was in a wheelchair to the end.
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