News

Stoichkov plays farewell match

30.5.2004
Bulgarian football legend Hristo Stoichkov played his farewell match in Barcelona, Spain on May 30th 2004. In front of 31,243 spectators, an all-star Barca Dream Team defeated "the World" with 2-1. Stoitchkov scored both goals for Barcelona before switching teams at half time. "I wanted to win this game in order to leave football as a winner," Stoitchkov said. After the end of the match, he addressed his fans and family with words of gratitude in Spanish and Bulgarian. Hristo also pledged that the money raised from the match would be donated to charity organizations for poor and homeless children.

The Barcelona all-stars featured some of the greatest footballers in the club's history while "the World" team included many of Stoichkov's former national teammates. Roberto Mancini, Ivan Zamorano, Frank Rijkaard and Davor Suker were also in action. The latter scored a lone goal for the World team. Coaches were Johan Cruyff for Barca and a Sir Bobby Robson/Dimitar Penev tandem for "the World." Hristo's best man Atanas Uzunov was the referee in charge.

World-renowned tenor Jose Carreras performed "Nessun Dorma" in honor of Stoichkov and the president of Bulgaria was also in attendance. Many celebrities were also present at the match which was covered by over 52 TV stations worldwide.