Hristo Stoichkov

Hristo Stoichkov Stoichkov alternatively spelt Stoitchkov (born 8 February 1966 in Plovdiv) is a football manager and former striker who was a member of the Bulgaria national team that finished fourth at the 1994 Fifa World Cup. Apart from his footballing talent, he was notable for his on-pitch temper. He was honoured as European Footballer of the Year in 1994. He was named by Pele as one of the 125 Greatest Living Footballer at a FIFA Awards Ceremony in 2004.

Stoichkov played as a left winger who was known for his explosive acceleration and speed dribbling, and for taking unpredictable shots on goal. He was also notable at taking free kicks and penalties as well as being among the best crossers in the world at his prime. He gained much popularity because of his aggressive temper on the pitch. He could often be seen arguing with the referee, or with his opponents. In 2006, he was sued by a former American Univercity college student whose leg he broke in a violent tackle during a scrimmage against D.C. United in 2003. The case was settled out of court in 2007 for undisclosed financial terms. The student's coach called Stoichkov's challenge "criminal". Ray Hudson, who coached DC United for whom Stoichkov played at the time, called it a "rash tackle". Following an investigation by MLS, Stoichkov was suspended two games and fined $2,000.

Club

• Cska Sofiq
  
  • Bulgarian League: 1987, 1989, 1990
  • Bulgarian Cup: 1985, 1987, 1988, 1989
  • Bulgarian Supercup: 1989
• FC Barcelona
  • Spanish League: 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1998
  • Spanish Super Cup: 1992, 1993, 1995, 1996
  • European Cup (now called: Uefa Champions League): 1992
  • European Super Cup: 1992, 1997
  • Copa del Rey: 1997
  • Uefa Cup Winners Cup: 1997
• All-Nassr
  • Assian Cup Winners Cup: 1998
• Chicago Fire
  • U.S. Open Cup: 2000

Individual

• Bulgarian League Top Scorer: 1989, 1990
• European Golden Boot: 1989
• UEFA Cup Winners Cup Top Scorrer: 1989
• European Footballer of the Year: 1994
  
• FIFA World Cup 1994 Golden Shoe - Top scorer
• Golden Foot "All Time" legends award: 2007
• FIFA 100
  

In November 2003, to celebrate UEFA's Jubilee, he was selected as the Golden Player of Bulgaria by the Bulgarian Football Union as their most outstanding player of the past 50 years.