Top Banner
One of the regarded best football players of his time is Hristo Stoichkov. He was born in Plovdiv, Bulgaria on February 8, 1966. It was in his hometown that Stoichkov started his career. However, in 1984, he moved to the Bulgarian football club Hebros. After a brief stint with FC Hebros, Stoichkov was offered a contract at CSKA Sofia, the most lucrative football club in Bulgaria up to this day. At the final of the Bulgarian Cup in 1985, Stoichkov, who was popular among the players for having a short temper, was involved in a brawl. The league officials slapped him with a permanent ban from playing in the country. Fortunately, the penalty was reduced to a suspension of one month. During his time with CSKA Sofia, he won the European Golden Boot by scoring 38 goals out of 30 games. Stoichkov stayed with the Bulgarian club for five seasons. In 1990, Hristo Stoichkov joined FC Barcelona during Johan Cruyff’s reign as manager and coach of the Spanish club. During his time in Barcelona Stoichkov became a part of the “Dream Team”. For four years in a row, from 1991 to 1994, FC Barcelona was able to win the La Liga title. In 1992, the Spanish club won the UEFA Champions League title against Sampdoria. After leaving FC Barcelona in 1995, Stoichkov continued his football career with a couple of clubs, namely, Parma, Al-Nassr, Kashiwa Reysol, and Chicago Fire. He finally concluded his career in 2003 with the American club D.C. United. Stoichkov subsequently returned to FC Barcelona for two years, then to CSKA Sofia after his contract with Parma ended. Throughout his entire career, Hristo Stoichkov was given a couple of monikers because of his style of play. He was known for his unpredictable and explosive shots and quick dribbling. Playing as a forward, Stoichkov was known as The Dagger, The Dog, and The Modern Left throughout his entire career. During his time in FC Barcelona, he was called “El Pistolero” by the fans, as well as the other players. -1- Hristo Stoickov: The Talented Bad Boy Of Bulgaria
3

Hristo Stoichkov: The Talented Bad Boy of Bulgaria

Jan 20, 2016

Download

Documents

KaloyanGenev

Learn more impressive facts about the talented Bulgarian star Hristo Stoichkov
Welcome message from author
This document is posted to help you gain knowledge. Please leave a comment to let me know what you think about it! Share it to your friends and learn new things together.
Transcript
  • One of the regarded best football players of his time is Hristo Stoichkov. He was born in Plovdiv, Bulgaria on February 8, 1966. Itwas in his hometown that Stoichkov started his career. However, in 1984, he moved to the Bulgarian football club Hebros. After abrief stint with FC Hebros, Stoichkov was offered a contract at CSKA Sofia, the most lucrative football club in Bulgaria up to thisday.

    At the final of the Bulgarian Cup in 1985, Stoichkov, who was popular among the players for having a short temper, was involvedin a brawl. The league officials slapped him with a permanent ban from playing in the country. Fortunately, the penalty was reduced toa suspension of one month. During his time with CSKA Sofia, he won the European Golden Boot by scoring 38 goals out of 30games. Stoichkov stayed with the Bulgarian club for five seasons.

    In 1990, Hristo Stoichkov joined FC Barcelona during Johan Cruyffs reign as manager and coach of the Spanish club. During histime in Barcelona Stoichkov became a part of the Dream Team. For four years in a row, from 1991 to 1994, FC Barcelona wasable to win the La Liga title. In 1992, the Spanish club won the UEFA Champions League title against Sampdoria.

    After leaving FC Barcelona in 1995, Stoichkov continued his football career with a couple of clubs, namely, Parma, Al-Nassr,Kashiwa Reysol, and Chicago Fire. He finally concluded his career in 2003 with the American club D.C. United. Stoichkovsubsequently returned to FC Barcelona for two years, then to CSKA Sofia after his contract with Parma ended.

    Throughout his entire career, Hristo Stoichkov was given a couple of monikers because of his style of play. He was known for hisunpredictable and explosive shots and quick dribbling. Playing as a forward, Stoichkov was known as The Dagger, The Dog, and TheModern Left throughout his entire career. During his time in FC Barcelona, he was called El Pistolero by the fans, as well as theother players.

    -1-

    Hristo Stoickov: The Talented Bad Boy Of Bulgaria

  • In the 1994 FIFA World Cup, he was part of the BulgarianNational Team. Hristo helped the team reach the semi-finalsafter defeating Germany. In the semis stage, Bulgaria lost toItaly and eventually, lost to Sweden in a play-off match for thirdplace.

    At that same World Cup, Stoichkov was awarded theGolden Boot together with Oleg Salenko of Russia for scoringthe most goals during the entire competition. Each player scoredsix goals throughout the entire leg of the World Cup.

    Bulgaria finished second during the qualifying stage for Euro2006 with Stoichkov scoring 10 goals for the team. Germany,

    who beat Bulgaria during the qualifiers, eventually won the tournament. He remained a part of the Bulgarian National Teamduring the 1998 FIFA World Cup, but was eliminated during the first round. The team suffered a tremendous loss during the groupstage matches, having lost to Spain with a full-time score of 6-1. Bulgaria and Spain happened to belong during the World Cup to aparticular group called the Group of Death.

    Hristo Stoichkov is not only known for being a great football player, but he is also known for having a temper during games. Moreoften than not, he is always arguing with either the referees or players from the opposing team. Back in 2006, Stoichkov was sued by aplayer from the other team for engaging in a fierce tackle with him during a match in 2003. The tackle resulted in the other playerbreaking leg. Stoichkov and the other player settled the case privately, and the Bulgarian was fined by the MLS for $2,000 and wasgiven a two-game suspension.

    Stoichkov retired from his international career in 1999, finishing with 83 appearances of which he has 37 goals. He ended his footballcareer in 2003 with D.C. United. In total, he made 473 appearances with various clubs, and clocked in 225 goals. Soon thereafter, hestarted his career as a coach or manager in 2004 with the Bulgarian National Team.

    He had a tumultuous career as a manager orcoach of the clubs, beginning with his countrysnational team. The national team failed to qualifyfor the 2006 FIFA World Cup. Stoichkov hadbeen having conflicts with players left and right.The most prominent one he had was with StiliyanPetrov, when the player announced that hewould not be representing his country as long asStroichkov would be managing the team.Eventually, the dispute between the two wasresolved in private, and Petrov returned to theteam.

    The Bulgarian had various managing jobs in allover the world after resigning from theBulgarian National Team. He coached for Spanish Second Division team Celta Vigo, South African club Mamelodi Sundowns,the Vietnam National Team, Russian club FC Rostov, and Bulgarian club Litex. In 2013, he was given the opportunity to managehis previous club, the CSKA Sofia. However, Stoichkov quitted after one month.

    Awards Won with ClubsCSKA Sofia

    Bulgarian League: 1987, 1989, 1990

    Bulgarian Cup: 1985, 1987, 1988, 1989

    Bulgarian Supercup: 1989

    FC Barcelona

    La Liga: 1990-91, 1991-92, 1992-93, 1993-94, 1997-98

    Supercopa: 1992, 1994, 1996

    UEFA Champions League: 1991-92, 1993-94 (finished runner-up)

    UEFA Supercup: 1992, 1997

    -2-

  • Copa del Rey: 1996-97

    European Cup Winners Cup: 1996-97

    Al-Nassr

    Asian Cup Winners Cup: 1998

    Chicago Fire

    U.S. Open Cup: 2000

    Individual Awards WonBulgarian League: Top scorer 1989, 1990

    European Golden Boot: 1990

    Cup Winners Cup Top Scorer: 1990

    Onze dOr: 1992

    Ballon dOr: 1994

    World Cup Golden Shoe: 1994

    IFFHS Worlds Top Goal Scorer of the Year: 1994

    World Cup All-Star Team: 1994

    Don Balon Award for Best Foreign Player in La Liga: 1994

    UEFA Euro All-Star Team: 1996

    World Soccers 100 Greatest Players of the 20th Century: 2007

    FIFA 100: 2004

    It cannot be denied the Hristo Stoichkov was born to become one of footballs heroes and legend, both at the same time. During histime as a forward, he was considered to be a genius and an essential playmaker on the pitch. He was both loved and despised by thefootball community. People usually have confusing opinions regarding Stoichkov.

    He was greatly admired because of his superb talents and skills as a player. Because of his speed and explosive shots, the Bulgarianwas feared by everyone on the field. Moreover, others disdain him for his attitude towards the other players and match officials on thepitch. In other words, Hristo Stoichkov is a bad boy, but a gifted one at that.

    Truthfully, Stoichkov just had too much aggression in him that he channeled through his style of play. His aggressiveness caused himmore trouble than he intended. He had a bold personality and never feared anything on the pitch, not even the match officials, asevidenced by his football rap sheet. During games, under no circumstance is he going to let go of the ball and he is going to get it nomatter what.

    During the whole of his career, Hristo Stoichkov was a contentious football personality. He considered playing football as his meansto channel his aggression and show the world what type of man he is. Despite the occasional violence he has shown on the field, thereis no doubt that Stoichkov is one of the greatest football players of all time.

    For more information on Bulgaria, please visit : www.britsinbulgaria.info

    -3-