Scottish football legend Denis Law delivered his own prognosis of what he believed gave him dementia prior to his death.

Law's family confirmed the Manchester United great died on Friday, a little more than three years after he was diagnosed with Alzheimer's and vascular dementia. The late centre-forward was 84 at the time of his death, and a statement read that he "fought a tough battle, but finally he is now at peace."

The icon himself gave his own honest verdict on what he felt was the leading cause behind him developing brain abnormalities. Despite being faced with his own mortality at the time, the 55-cap former Scotland international's comments serve as a warning to those playing football today.

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Speaking to The Telegraph about the condition that affected him and so many peers, Law asserted heading the football was the culprit: "What else would it be? That was what caused damage to the brain. You didn't think about it. We just thought it was normal.

"Now as time goes on, you are thinking, 'Why should I be having this problem?' When you are playing two games a week and heading the ball in games then there are obvious dangers. I would support anything that stops this illness affecting other players."

Ballon d'Or-winner Law was diagnosed with both Alzheimer's and vascular dementia in 2021, following many other ex-footballers to be affected by neurodegenerative diseases. Others from his era have also died of similar conditions, such as Nobby Stiles, Jeff Astle and Bill Gates.

Footballers of that generation were at higher risk of developing such conditions because of the hard leather balls once used. But despite the lighter, more malleable balls in use today, the Football Association has introduced legislation to ban under-11s from heading.

The enforcement means kids under the age of 12 will no longer be permitted to intentionally head the ball in training or matches. The change has already been made for all under-seven to under-nine matches in England, while the under-10 and under-11 age groups will adopt the same restrictions over the next two seasons.

Law - who won two top-flight league titles and an FA Cup at United - was a beloved figure throughout his career and became hugely popular at United, Manchester City and Huddersfield Town. It's fitting that even in retirement, the cult figure sought to make an impact by raising awareness of what he believed was a major issue in the sport that made him an all-time great.