Bulgarian · Plovdiv, Bulgaria · Born 8 February 1966Bulgarian footballer and 1994 Ballon d'Or winner who led Bulgaria to World Cup semi-finals and won the European Cup with Barcelona in 1992
At the 1994 World Cup in the United States, Hristo Stoichkov was the defining individual player in football's most startling result — leading Bulgaria to the semi-finals past both Germany and Argentina while finishing as the tournament's joint top scorer with six goals — then went home to collect the Ballon d'Or. He began at CSKA Sofia before joining Barcelona in 1990, where he became the most important player in Johan Cruyff's Dream Team. He won four consecutive La Liga titles (1991-94) and the Champions League in 1994. In 1994 he won the Ballon d'Or — only the second eastern European to win it. At the 1994 World Cup in the USA, he was the defining player of one of football's greatest upsets — Bulgaria reached the semi-finals, defeating both Germany and Argentina on penalties. He finished as the tournament's joint top scorer with six goals. His free-kick technique and explosive left foot made him one of the most feared attackers of his era. He later played in Saudi Arabia, CSKA Sofia again, and retired from Parma. He was famous for his fierce on-field temperament — he was banned for four months in 1990 for stamping and received numerous red cards — but his natural talent was undeniable. He managed the Bulgarian national team and remains the country's most celebrated footballer.
Winning the 1994 Ballon d'Or and leading Bulgaria to World Cup semi-finals
His performances at the 1994 World Cup, where he scored six goals including a free-kick against Germany, are the greatest ever by a Bulgarian player.
Did You Know?How They Played
Explosive left-footed striker with exceptional dribbling, pace and finishing ability
Lasting Impact
Greatest Bulgarian footballer of all time and one of the best strikers of the 1990s
Career Honours
- Or 1994
- World Cup Golden Boot 1994
- La Liga 4x (Barcelona)
- Champions League 1992
- Ballon d'Or 1994
- European Cup Winners' Cup 1989
| Club | Period | Fee | Apps | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FC Yuri Gagarin | 1981–1982 | — | 16 | 3 |
| Hebros Harmanli | 1982–1983 | — | 32 | 14 |
| CSKA Sofia | 1984–1990 | — | 119 | 81 |
| Barcelona | 1990–1995 | — | 151 | 76 |
| Parma | 1995–1996 | — | 23 | 5 |
| Barcelona | 1996–1998 | — | 24 | 7 |
| CSKA Sofia | 1997–1998 | loan | 4 | 2 |
| Al-Nassr | 1998–1998 | — | 2 | 1 |
| Kashiwa Reysol | 1998–1999 | — | 27 | 12 |
| Chicago Fire | 2000–2002 | — | 51 | 17 |
| D.C. United | 2003–2003 | — | 21 | 5 |
 Bulgaria | — | — | 83 | 37 |
Bulgarian Athletes