The death of Manchester United icon Denis Law at the age of 84 was confirmed on Friday, prompting tributes from the football community and beyond.
Many of the tributes focused on his goalscoring exploits for United, and rightly so. Law scored 237 goals in 404 games for the Red Devils and remains the club's third top scorer of all time behind Wayne Rooney and Sir Bobby Charlton.
But Law has also had to overcome adversity in his life, particularly after he revealed in August 2021 that he had been diagnosed with vascular dementia and Alzheimer's disease.
As expected, Law faced the challenge with the same courage he showed on the football field. But the degenerative brain disease took its toll on Law, and in March 2023, he bravely spoke about how his wife, Diana, had come to his aid when he needed it most.
Having become associated with dementia as part of an Alzheimer's Society campaign, Denis and Diana published a joint testimonial that said: “When you get married, you never imagine that decades after making those vows of 'in sickness and in health” you will end up testing them to the limit with dementia.
'We face everything together. But living with dementia means Diana has to take on a little more responsibility now, although of course we're still a team. It's a change for both of us.
Denis Law leaned on his wife Diana (left) for strength in his final years after being diagnosed with dementia.
Denis and Diana were married for more than 60 years after marrying in December 1962.
Diana admitted that Denis could not remember his past achievements because dementia took its toll on her husband.
'This shows that dementia can affect anyone, no matter who they are.
“I am very lucky to have enjoyed such an incredible career in football. Not many people have had the experiences I have had, including winning the World Cup! The public has shown me a lot of love.”
Denis and Diana married in December 1962, the same year he joined United, and had five children together.
Six decades after their wedding, Diana was still at Denis's side to provide him with the care he needed while he went through his heartbreaking battle.
But Denis didn't sit around feeling sorry for himself. He had seen his former teammate Nobby Stiles die after a battle with dementia in 2020, while another United legend, Charlton, also passed away in 2023 following his own dementia diagnosis.
Denis was candid about the difficulties that awaited him as soon as he was diagnosed with the disease.
“This will not be an easy journey, especially for the people who love you the most,” he said. 'I know that the road ahead of us will be hard, demanding, painful and always changing, so I ask for your understanding and patience.
'I recognize how my brain is deteriorating and how my memory slips when I don't want to and how this causes me distress in situations that are out of my control.
“I understand what's going on and that's why I want to address my situation now while I can, because I know there will be days where I won't understand and I hate thinking about that right now.”
Diana confirmed Denis' worst fears in 2023 when she revealed that she could no longer remember her past achievements.
Denis and Diana had five children together, and the former Man United star showed great courage in his final years following his diagnosis.
Diana was always at her husband's side when he needed her most as they raised awareness about dementia and Alzheimer's disease.
The sad reality of Denis's final years was revealed, but he more than made up for it with his brilliant playing career.
By helping United to their first European Cup and also winning two league titles under Sir Matt Busby, Denis played a major role in putting the club on the map.
Add to this the fact that he remains the only Scot to win the Ballon d'Or and it becomes clear why he is adored by fans around the world.
He was the last remaining member of the United Trinity, which also included Charlton and George Best.
But their legacy will live on, with a statue erected outside Old Trafford of the trio acting as a reminder of exactly what Denis achieved before his battle with dementia.