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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.
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Hristo Stoickov: The Talented Bad Boy Of Bulgaria
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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
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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
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