Date of Birth: 08/02/66
Place of Birth: Plovdiv
State: Bulgaria
Style: Attacking(Striker)
Number: 8
Height: 1.78m
Weight: 73kg
Family Status: Married(Has Two Daughters)

Played for:Maritsa(Plovdiv) 1976 - 1981,
Zavod 'Jurij Gagarin' 1981-1982,
USM Summer of 1982,
Hebros(Harmanli) 1982-1984,
CSKA(Sofia) 1984-1990,(84-85,11 games-0 goals),(85-86,banned for football),(86-87,25 games-6 goals),(87-88,27 games-14 goals),(88-89,26 games-23 goals),(89-90,30 games-38 goals),
Barcelona(Spain) 1990-1995,(90-91,24 games-14 goals),(91-92,32 games-17 goals),(92-93,34 games-20 goals),(93-94,34 games-16 goals),(94-95,27 games-9 goals),
Parma(ltaly) 1995-1996,(30 games-7 goals),
Barcelona(Spain) 1996-March 13^th 1998,(96-97,22 games-7 goals)
CSKA(Sofia) March 1998-May 1998,
Al Nasar April 1998-Two Matches,1 Goal
Kashiwa Reysol(Japan) - from July 1998 till July 1999,(28 games-13 goals)
Chicago Fire(USA) - joined 15^th March 2000

All prizes won: 41
National Team Matches:84-37 goals,rank 2^nd all-time for Bulgaria,behind Hristo Bonev-47 goals
Debute in the national team 23^rd of September 1987(Bulgaria-Belgium 2:0)

His life is an everlasting battle.Still 15 when the Plovdiv(Bulgaria) Sports's school doesn't want to take him.This gives him an ambition and he starts playing in Hebros(Harmanly).During all that time he is like an executor for the region.In a young tallents' tournament in Pleven(Bulgaria) emissaries of Dunav(Rousse) steal him from the rivals with a combat jeep.But only one day later CSKA Sofia(club of the army) threatens them with transfers to the reserve 'for life',if they don't bring the young tallent in Sofia.15 years of age Itso is a player of the mythical at that time(early 80's) team of CSKA.Then in 1985 on the question 'Who are you?' he answers the captain of CSKA and the national team Georgi Dimitrov 'I am Hristo Stoichkov,who are you?'.He is a substitute for a few months in the team which dethroned the European champions of 'Nottingham' and 'Liverpool'.His nerves didn't stand and he constantly asked the coach Manol Manolov to let him play,because he didn't want to eat state food with nothing in return.At last on the 23^rd of February 1985 he makes his debute in the native Plovdiv in first division in the match Trakia(Plovdiv)-CSKA(Sofia)-3:1.
Still not-entered the parade entrance of soccer Stoichkov is convicted not to play professional football.He becomes a victim of massivity in the biggest at that time scandal-the final for the cup of Bulgaria CSKA-Levski,which lead to the disbanding and renaming of the two grands to 'Sredets' and 'Vitosha' in May 1985.
After near an year of exile in the combat team,where he gives his duty details in the army sports' school he is amnistered.But he has already gained ambition and will to play for at least five lives.In the next years he erupts like a vulcano.
He makes a furore in CSKA and becomes a figure in the national team.The coach,who has biggest flair in Bulgarian football Dimitar Penev moulds him for the big football.He is given his first nickname-The Dog.In the European tournaments he scores three goals in two matches versus Johan Cruyff's Barcelona.And the legendary Hollander desired him in maybe the greatest team in the world.
Emissares look for a route of a possible transfer through the labyrinths of the communist authority.The deal is longed for almost an year.Between truth and gossip bears the legend of how the question reached Todor Jivkov(Bulgarian president at that time).'Four million dollars for a football player?A-a let them give him,let them give him.Do you know how many tights for the women can we buy with this money?',was the blessing of the president.Later in the years Stoichkov doesn't miss a chance to visit the overthrown dictator in his villa in 'Sekvoya'.
For the record(until June 1999) money of four million dollars Stoichkov makes his debute with a first and winning goal for Barca versus Espanol in the Catalunian battle,for 1:0 on the 1^st of September 1990.In the 110 000 stadium Nou Camp starts the era Stoichkov.For seven years he outstrips the success and the actions of the non-of-this Earth Johan Cruyff,the football god Maradona,of Lineker,Cubala,Neeskens and other planet stars.The way to a top scorer No 1 of Barca goes through hell and heaven.He agressively steps on the foot of referee Orisar Aspitarte and is disqualified for about three months.But Cruyff stands on Hristo's side.The president Nunes too.The Bulgarian gradually becomes his big favourite.But he was not appropriately paid.the first out-of-football battle of the Dagger,as the fans name him,starts.
Stoichkov wants the highest salary.And he receives it.Later in 1992 he returns the favour,when he refuses 'all the money in the world' that Paris Saint Germen offers him.This move leaves the power in Nunes and for the fans Hristo is already an icon.Again in 1992 he is second in the standings for the 'Golden ball',given to Marco Van Basten and the survey causes many quarrels.During that time there are battles with Nicolaj Iliev for the captain band in Bulgarian national football team. The best compromise is worked to and the captain band is given to Borislav Mihajlov.For the first and last time Hristo misses a penalty for the national team in a friendly meeting with Mexico.He's being hissed and throws away the national team jersey.Later he excuses himself and promises to cover this sin up with successes.The twelvth hour of triumph comes in 1994.He wins the 'Golden Ball' for No1 player in Europe with a record in the history advantage.He is already a God for Barca,but he is crowned mostly because of the unforgettable American summer.He plays with a bruise and this doesn't stop him of guillotining the rivals with the famous phrase 'Eins zu Zwei zu Drei-Dran!'.
In 1995 Cruyff wanted to input young players in FC Barcelona.For Hristo the thought of leaving Barca is a heresy.Hristo and Cruyff got angry at each other-a scandal all European media got crazy about.Hristo behaved like a tartarus in the Barca changing-room.The scandals were titanic.The divorce became inevitable.Between 'Inter' and 'Parma' Hristo chose the super-offer of 'Parmalat'.According to informal sources he has taken 7 millions for one year form the club. During the half-season Italian aces,lead by Zola organized him a boycott,because Hristo was taking twice as much as them.The way to FC Barcelona seemed to be mapped out.Hristo and Cruyff pass each other on the way.Hristo has lost the battle but won the war.'Love and Hatred' were again in his life like a coin.As time took its pace he reconciled with Cruyff but got angry with Nunes 'for a lifetime'.
After a bruise and 3 months with no match Hristo makes a furore by scoring 3 goals from 3 matches in EURO 96.After that Hristo returns in Barca.
Grandious scandals in the national team follow.Old friends betray him in the cause for the difence of Dimitar Penev.Later the situation makes him make a back curve in his behaviour.'In a war time like in a war time,if we will play incorectly',he explains his behaviour.
At last he wins this battle.After the fiasco in the world cup he stays in the team until the 9^th of June 1999-the closing of a platinum page in his career in the national team.
The big Stoichkov left in the most appropriate moment.In this way he will remain a winner for the generations.