❤️ FAREWELL TO JOHN ROBERTSON: NOTTINGHAM FOREST BIDS GOODBYE TO THE “PICASSO OF FOOTBALL” – A LEGEND WHO WILL LIVE FOREVER! 🌹⚽
Football has lost one of its most gifted and beloved artists. John Robertson, the Nottingham Forest legend whose brilliance helped transform the club into a European powerhouse, passed away on Christmas Day 2025 at the age of 72. His departure left a deep sadness among Forest supporters, former teammates and football lovers around the world.
For Nottingham Forest, Robertson was much more than a former player. He was a symbol of one of the greatest eras in the club’s history. Under the legendary Brian Clough, Robertson developed into a magnificent left winger whose dribbling, creativity, intelligence and delivery repeatedly left defenders helpless.
Clough famously described him as the “Picasso of our game”, a fitting tribute to a player whose football was filled with imagination and elegance. Give Robertson a ball and space, and he could create something extraordinary.
His greatest moments came on the biggest European stage.
In the 1979 European Cup final against Malmö, Robertson produced the decisive cross that allowed Trevor Francis to score the winning goal. One year later, against Hamburg in Madrid, Robertson became the hero himself, scoring the only goal as Forest successfully defended their European crown.
Those achievements placed him permanently among Nottingham Forest’s greatest-ever players.
But Robertson’s legacy was not built only on trophies. Those who knew him remembered a humble, kind and generous man who carried his greatness lightly. Nottingham Forest chairman Nicholas Randall described him as exceptionally wise, supportive and deeply devoted to the club and its supporters.
His influence also extended beyond the City Ground. Robertson earned 28 Scotland caps and represented his country at two World Cups. Later, he enjoyed considerable success as part of Martin O’Neill’s coaching staff, contributing to trophy-winning spells at Leicester City and Celtic.
Now, his name will forever remain part of Nottingham Forest’s identity. The club has honoured his memory by naming a stand at the City Ground after him, ensuring that generations of supporters will continue to see his name whenever they enter the stadium.
John Robertson may no longer walk onto the pitch, but his football will never disappear.
His crosses, his goals, his European triumphs, his smile and his humility remain woven into the history of Nottingham Forest.
The football world says goodbye to a legend.
Nottingham Forest says goodbye to one of its greatest sons.
And supporters say goodbye to Robbo — the Picasso of the game.
His chapter may have ended, but his legacy will live forever. ❤️🌹⚽
