Hristo Stoickov: The Talented Bad Boy Of Bulgaria

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 Cruyffs 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.

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In the 1994 FIFA World Cup, he was part of the Bulgarian National Team. Hristo helped the team reach the semi-finals after defeating Germany. In the semis stage, Bulgaria lost to Italy and eventually, lost to Sweden in a play-off match for third place. At that same World Cup, Stoichkov was awarded the Golden Boot together with Oleg Salenko of Russia for scoring the most goals during the entire competition. Each player scored six goals throughout the entire leg of the World Cup. Bulgaria finished second during the qualifying stage for Euro 2006 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 Team during the 1998 FIFA World Cup, but was eliminated during the first round. The team suffered a tremendous loss during the group stage matches, having lost to Spain with a full-time score of 6-1. Bulgaria and Spain happened to belong during the World Cup to a particular 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. More often than not, he is always arguing with either the referees or players from the opposing team. Back in 2006, Stoichkov was sued by a player from the other team for engaging in a fierce tackle with him during a match in 2003. The tackle resulted in the other player breaking leg. Stoichkov and the other player settled the case privately, and the Bulgarian was fined by the MLS for $2,000 and was given 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 football career in 2003 with D.C. United. In total, he made 473 appearances with various clubs, and clocked in 225 goals. Soon thereafter, he started his career as a coach or manager in 2004 with the Bulgarian National Team. He had a tumultuous career as a manager or coach of the clubs, beginning with his countrys national team. The national team failed to qualify for the 2006 FIFA World Cup. Stoichkov had been having conflicts with players left and right. The most prominent one he had was with Stiliyan Petrov, when the player announced that he would not be representing his country as long as Stroichkov would be managing the team. Eventually, the dispute between the two was resolved in private, and Petrov returned to the team. The Bulgarian had various managing jobs in all over the world after resigning from the Bulgarian 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 manage his previous club, the CSKA Sofia. However, Stoichkov quitted after one month.

Awards Won with Clubs

CSKA 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 Won

Bulgarian 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 20 th 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 his time as a forward, he was considered to be a genius and an essential playmaker on the pitch. He was both loved and despised by the football 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 Bulgarian was feared by everyone on the field. Moreover, others disdain him for his attitude towards the other players and match officials on the pitch. 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 him more trouble than he intended. He had a bold personality and never feared anything on the pitch, not even the match officials, as evidenced 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 no matter what. During the whole of his career, Hristo Stoichkov was a contentious football personality. He considered playing football as his means to channel his aggression and show the world what type of man he is. Despite the occasional violence he has shown on the field, there is 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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