35 Facts About Hristo Stoichkov

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

Hristo Stoichkov is regarded as the greatest Bulgarian footballer of all time.

Hristo Stoichkov was 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 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, of which he was the top scorer with six goals and received the World Cup Golden Boot.

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

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

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

Hristo Stoichkov collected his first A Group title winner's medal at the end of the season.

Hristo Stoichkov became part of manager Johan Cruyff's "Dream Team" and helped Barcelona to one of the most successful eras of the club, winning La Liga four years in a row between 1991 and 1994 and the European Cup after defeating Sampdoria in 1992.

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

Hristo Stoichkov was twice named runner up for the FIFA World Player of the Year, 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 short spell in Italy with Parma scoring a total of seven goals and soon returned to FC Barcelona where he played until early '98.

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

Hristo Stoichkov subsequently went in 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.

At the tournament finals, Hristo Stoichkov was awarded the World Cup Golden Boot as the joint top goal scorer of the tournament, with six goals, as well as earning the Bronze Ball award.

Hristo Stoichkov scored ten goals for his team during the qualifiers, as Bulgaria qualified as one of the best six 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 internationals 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 had explosive pace, and was a creative, tenacious and prolific left-footed forward who was primarily used as a striker, but was capable of playing in a creative role, as an attacking midfielder, due to his ability to provide assists for teammates.

Hristo Stoichkov was deployed as a supporting striker throughout his career, forming a strike partnership with Romario at Barcelona, and occasionally he played as a right winger during his time at the club, although he was capable of playing on the left or through the middle.

Hristo Stoichkov was criticised for his work-rate at times, and he gained infamy because of his aggressive temper on the pitch; he could often be seen arguing with the referee, or with his opponents.

Ray Hudson, who coached DC United for whom Hristo Stoichkov played at the time, called it a "rash tackle".

Hristo Stoichkov's managing career got off to a poor start, with him failing to lead Bulgaria to qualification for the 2006 World Cup.

Hristo Stoichkov brought his bad temper from his career as a player to the bench.

Hristo Stoichkov had a short disappointing stint as manager at Celta Vigo, for which he was sacked following the team's slump that took them to the lower reaches of the Spanish Second Division.

On 12 March 2009, Hristo Stoichkov visited the Manchester City training ground after requesting a visit.

On 29 June 2009, Hristo Stoichkov moved to Mamelodi Sundowns, where he replaced Henri Michel.

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

In January 2012, Hristo Stoichkov was appointed manager of Bulgarian side Litex Lovech, replacing Lyuboslav Penev, who left to become 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 the professional footballers in the Bulgarian league.