33 Facts About Hristo Stoichkov

Hristo Stoichkov Stoichkov is a Bulgarian former professional footballer and current football commentator for TUDN.

Hristo Stoichkov was the runner-up for the FIFA World Player of the Year award in 1992 and 1994 and received the Ballon d'Or in 1994.

In 2004, Stoichkov was named by Pele in the FIFA 100 list of the world's greatest living players.

At the club level, Hristo Stoichkov spent six years at CSKA Sofia and became the top goalscorer in Europe in 1990, receiving the European Golden Shoe.

Hristo Stoichkov was a member of the Bulgaria national team that finished fourth at the 1994 FIFA World Cup, where he emerged as the top scorer with six goals, earning the World Cup Golden Boot.

Hristo Stoichkov was ranked as the third-best player at the World Cup, following Romario and Roberto Baggio, and received the World Cup Bronze Ball.

Hristo Stoichkov began his football career playing for his hometown club Maritsa Plovdiv at the age of 11.

At the beginning of his five-year tenure at CSKA, Hristo Stoichkov was involved in a fight during the 1985 Bulgarian Cup Final, which resulted in an initial lifelong ban that was later reduced to a one-year suspension.

Hristo Stoichkov earned his first A Group title winner's medal at the end of the season, scoring 6 league goals.

Hristo Stoichkov became part of manager Johan Cruyff's "Dream Team" and contributed to one of the most successful eras in the club's history, winning La Liga four consecutive times and the European Cup after defeating Sampdoria in the 1992 final.

Hristo Stoichkov was known for ensuring Romario attended training sessions on time, as the latter often indulged in late-night festivities.

Hristo Stoichkov was twice named runner-up for the FIFA World Player of the Year award, in 1992 and 1994, and he won the 1994 Ballon d'Or after leading his national team to the 1994 World Cup semi-finals.

Hristo Stoichkov then had a brief spell in Italy with Parma, scoring a total of seven goals, before soon returning to FC Barcelona, where he played until early 1998.

Hristo Stoichkov had a second stint with CSKA Sofia in the spring of 1998.

Hristo Stoichkov subsequently went to Japan to play with Kashiwa Reysol, before finishing his career in the United States with the Chicago Fire and DC United, winning the US Open Cup with the former.

Hristo Stoichkov debuted for the Bulgaria national team in a UEFA Euro 1988 qualifying match against Belgium on 23 September 1987.

Hristo Stoichkov scored ten goals for his team during the qualifiers, helping Bulgaria qualify as one of the six best runners-up.

In that tournament, Hristo Stoichkov scored three goals in three matches.

Hristo Stoichkov was part of the squad that was eliminated in the first round of the 1998 World Cup.

Hristo Stoichkov retired from international football in 1999 with 37 goals in 83 appearances.

Hristo Stoichkov later served as coach of the Bulgaria national team from 2004 to April 2007.

Hristo Stoichkov possessed explosive pace and was a creative, tenacious, and prolific left-footed forward.

Hristo Stoichkov faced criticism for his work rate at times, and he gained a reputation for his aggressive temperament on the pitch despite his evident talent.

In 2006, Hristo Stoichkov was sued by a former American University student whose leg he broke with a violent tackle during a friendly match for DC United in 2003.

Hristo Stoichkov appears in EA Sports' FIFA video game series, having been included in the FIFA 15 Ultimate Team Legends.

In 2018, Hristo Stoichkov published his authorized biography titled *Hristo Stoichkov: The Story*.

The most significant setback in his management came on October 12,2006, when Stiliyan Petrov, the team captain, announced that he would no longer play for Bulgaria as long as Hristo Stoichkov was at the helm.

Hristo Stoichkov had a brief and disappointing tenure as manager at Celta Vigo, where he was dismissed following the team's decline into the lower reaches of the Spanish Second Division.

On 29 June 2009, Hristo Stoichkov moved to Mamelodi Sundowns, replacing Henri Michel.

In 2011, the Vietnam Football Federation invited Hristo Stoichkov to become the head manager of the Vietnam national team; however, he declined the position.

In January 2012, Hristo Stoichkov was appointed manager of the Bulgarian side Litex Lovech, replacing Lyuboslav Penev, who left to become the manager of the Bulgaria national team.

In May 2013, Hristo Stoichkov was recognized as the A PFG Manager of the Season following a vote by professional footballers in the Bulgarian league.

Hristo Stoichkov is married to Mariana, and they have two daughters: Hristina and Mihaela.