One of the most renowned left-footed soccer players in activity, Hristo Stoitchkov has already cemented his status as a sports legend. He is considered among soccer's elite, arguably one of the top soccer players of the 20th Century. His passion and competitive drive are contagious. Stoitchkov's extraordinary talent, fiery temper and determination to succeed have led him to the heights of personal and professional triumph.Stoitchkov, also called "Itso" by his friends, was born in Plovdiv, Bulgaria in 1966. According to his mother, Penka, Hristo was born "with a ball between his feet." His father participated on the hometown local team of Maritsa, Plovdiv, as a goalkeeper. Stoitchkov began as a ball boy for the team, but by 1977 the 10 year olds talent had developed so well that he began playing for the team. In 1984, Stoitchkov left Maritsa to begin playing for team of Hebar, Harmali.
Once there, Stoitchkov's genius did not go unnoticed for long. In 1985 Manol Manalov, the Manager of CSKA, Sofia, observed his extraordinary ability, and selected him to play for CSKA under the guidance and direction of coach Dimitar Penev. Penev, known for finding and developing new talents, helped bring Stoitchkov up to the next level, where his natural ability and mastery of the game would soon distinguish him from the other players.
Stoitchkov played for CSKA from 1986-1989, quickly becoming a National Hero. In his first full season with the team he helped CSKA win the Championship and Cup of Bulgaria. With mounting experience and achievements on the field, Stoitchkov was shaping up as a center figure in Bulgarian football. In 1989 he was named Top Goal Scorer of the league with a record of 23 goals. That same season, Stoitchkov also won the Golden Boot for Top Goal Scorer in Bulgaria and in Europe after CSKA reached the semifinals for the Cup Winners Cup.
Even though CSKA was defeated in the semifinals by Barcelona, Spain, Stoitchkov's performance dominated the field and attracted the attention of Barcelona coach Johan Cruyff. Cruyff signed Stoitchkov to a five-year contract with Barcelona for a record sum of $4.5 million.
From 1990-1994, Stoitchkov scored over 100 goals for Barcelona. During this time, he led the team to win the Championship of the Spanish Primera Division four years in a row ('91-'94). In 1992 Barcelona won the Champion's League, beating Sampdoria, Italy. Stoitchkov was becoming a hero for Barcelona supporters by now, with his mesmerizing power and accuracy, and a temper that scorched his opponents.
While he was playing for Barcelona, Stoitchkov was simultaneously leading the Bulgarian National team to their first ever qualification for the World Cup. Stoitchkov's talents jumpstarted this event in 1994, when the team accomplished an unexpected defeat over France on French soil. Thanks to his amazing abilities, 1991-1994 was known as the Bulgarian National Team's Golden Years.
During the 1995-1996 season, the Bulgarian National Team qualified for the European Championship for the first time in Bulgarian football history. Unfortunately, they were eliminated in the first round by tough opposing teams from France, Spain and Romania. Stoitchkov scored in all three games, once again showcasing his amazing ability to control the ball and making him part of the "Dream Team."
Meanwhile, in 1994, Parma, Italy paid the grand sum of $15 million to purchase him from Barcelona. He played for Parma for one year ending 1995.
In 1997, Stoitchkov played with Barcelona again, where Barcelona won multiple titles, including the Spanish Championship, Spanish Super Cup, Spanish King's Cup and the European Cup. In 1997 Barcelona loaned their prodigy to Al-Nasr, Saudi Arabia for two months, where Stoitchkov helped the team win the Asian Cup Winners Cup, scoring one goal in the championship game.
By that time Stoitchkov had amassed numerous prestigious National and International titles and awards. He was voted Best Bulgarian Football Player of the Year five times (1989-1992, 1994) and awarded the Golden Boot two times (once in 1990 for Top Scorer in Europe, and in 1994 for Top Scorer in the World Cup). Stoitchkov won the Golden Ball for Best Football Player in Europe in (1994), the Golden Onze for Best Football Player in the World (1992) and also came in second place for the Golden Onze (1994), and won the Silver Globe awarded by FIFA two times for Second Best Football Player in the World (1992, 1994).
Today, Stoitchkov continues to play with the same zest and vigor as always with MLS. Stoitchkov was allocated by MLS to Chicago Fire in 2000, his current team. To date, he has helped the Fire win their second MLS Cup Final and led them to a second US Open Cup title in three years. Stoitchkov helped establish a team and league record in 2000 MLS playoffs by scoring two goals and three assists. He was named to the 2000 Pepsi MLS's Best 11, and he was also one of the three finalists for the 2000 MLS/MasterCard Goal of the Year. Named to Soccer America's Team of the Week six times, he is one of Chicago Fire's leading scorers.
Stoitchkov loves sharing his experience and love for the game to younger Fire players. This passion to share his knowledge and experience is also reflected in a dream come true for the soccer player-the opening of the Hristo Stoitchkov Soccer Academy in Barcelona, Spain.
According Hristo Stoitchkov, "Soccer is simple…. Your movement on the field is important, and you have to have the right mentality, fighting in every game, in every practice, for every ball."
