The impassive good looks and broad chest captured by photographers 50 years ago invariably portray John Charles as something of a matinee idol. But that’s where the comparisons with David Beckham end. Charles was not a dashing showman. He was the best centre-half and the best centre-forward in the world simultaneously.

Unusually for a British footballer, Charles is best known for the five years he spent playing abroad. He started his career at 15 with Swansea City before joining a struggling Leeds United side in 1949.

His reputation quickly grew and the 42-goals scored for Leeds in the 1953-54 season remains a club record. But when he joined Juventus of Rome for a world-record transfer fee of £65,000, his life began to resemble a storyline taken from a Boy’s Own comic.

Between 1957 and 1962 Juve won three league titles as well as one Italian Cup competition. To this day, this illustrious club recognises the great contribution Charles made during his time there. He is still considered one of the 10 best foreign players to have played for Juventus.

The nickname Il Buono Gigante, The Gentle Giant came from an amazing statistic. In 155 appearances for the club he was never once cautioned or sent off. But the dignity and good grace he demonstrated off the pitch made him such a popular figure that he also developed a following as a crooner in the Frank Sinatra mould, touring the ski resorts of Northern Italy.

For Wales he won 38 caps and scored 15 goals. His versatility was one of the main strengths of the side he captained to a World Cup Quarter Final in 1958. Fellow Leeds player Tom Holley once wrote: "Nat Lofthouse was asked who was the best centre-half he had played against and without hesitation named John Charles. The same week Billy Wright was asked who was the greatest centre-forward he had faced, and he too answered “John Charles".