Full Name
Hristo Stoichkov
Position
Second Striker, Attacking Midfielder
Born
8 February 1966
Country
Bulgaria
Clubs
Hebros (Bulgaria)
CSKA Sofia (Bulgaria)
Barcelona (Spain)
Parma (Italy)
Barcelona (Spain)
CSKA Sofia (Bulgaria)
Al-Nassr (Saudi Arabia)
Kashiwa Reysol (Japan)
Chicago Fire (USA)
DC United (USA)
Professional Career
1982-2003
International Caps/Goals
83 caps/37 goals
Honours
5 Spanish La Liga title, 1 Spanish cup, 3 Spanish Super Cup (Barcelona)
3 Bulgarian title, 4 Bulgarian Cup, 1 Bulgarian Super Cup (CSKA Sofia)
1 US Open Cup (Chicago Fire)
1 UEFA Champions League, 1 UEFA Cup Winners’ Cup, 2 European Super Cup (Barcelona)
1 Asian Cup Winners’ Cup (Al-Nassr)
1994 Ballon d’Or
1994 Ballon d’Or winner Hristo Stoichkov was widely regarded as the greatest Bulgarian footballer ever. Nicknamed The Dagger, Stoichkov spearheaded the unfanciful Bulgaria into the 1994 World Cup, where they won a historical best fourth position. Stoichkov helped himself with six goals in the tournament, winning the Golden Shoe award.
At club level, Stoichkov proved to be extremely successful too. A move to Barcelona in the early nineties four straight La Liga titles and a Champions League. A crucial member of Johan Cruyff’s “Dream Team”, he and Brazilian striker Romario formed one of the most lethal striking partners in Europe.
The versatility of Stoichkov saw him playing comfortably in a number of different positions – striker, supporting striker, playmaker and even right winger. However, Stoichkov was also overly aggressive and reckless sometimes, resulting in many sending-offs in his otherwise glittering career.
Best 100 Footballers in the World 