14 DAY TRIAL // Who is Hristo Stoitchkov really? Some might say he's one of the greatest eastern European footballers that ever lived. True. Others might say that he's one of the rudest football players that ever lived. Also true. There is a bunch that might argue he will be a great coach. Well, that's for us to judge in the near future.
Still, one cannot stop from asking himself how this Bulgarian living legend can be such a difficult person. And believe me when I say that this is a much lighter word for expressing Hristo's temperamental condition. From the very beginning he put on his football boots, Stoitchkov was out of control.
His instinct didn't only involve football performances. He was dominated by it both inside & outside the pitch. One day, he was scoring an extraordinary goal, the other he was spitting on a referee or fighting (literally) his opponents. Some might argue that he was very passionate about his job and did not want to admit defeat or anything close to it.
Usually, that's a great quality among the football players. It's what leads you to great and unforgettable performances. Still, there are also a bunch of other virtues that may get you on top. And I think Hristo has the most important one.
Team spirit. Hristo Stoitchkov was considered one of the most selfish strikers in European football in the '90s. But was he really? Of course, some may argue that every striker should be. Yes, that's true, but strikers, much like every footballer in the team, have to know how and when to play for others. If not, they might end up not being passed at all.
Of course, this was not the case with the Bulgarian star. Why? We all know the reason. He always managed to make himself heard in the locker room. Everyone respected him and nobody dared of entering verbal disputes with him. Despite his difficult temperament, all former colleagues of him - with no exceptions, including coaches - speak greatly of him.
Everybody agrees that he was an outstanding person inside and outside the pitch, and now, almost 6 years after ending his football career, the striker maintains strong friendships with plenty of former teammates.
Isn't that what's important, more than knowing how to act towards media or any other "intruders"? Knowing how to trust and respect your teammates so that when you step on the pitch, everyone could give it his all for the team? Hristo was that perfect man inside his team, on the pitch. That was all that counted for him. His colleagues' look and his coach's trust.
He didn't need any media respect or admiration. That's why the journalists never liked him. Not then and not now. But that's also why his former teammates cared for him. Both then and now.
The journalists might not agree with me. After all, a footballer is, more than a sports player, a human being. He should respect everybody and be a true guardian of fair-play rules. That's all true and very well said.
Still, before criticizing others, you should have the moral power to do that. Unfortunately, the sports media do not have that authority. And that's probably the main reason Hristo is throwing punches at photographers and cameramen. I'm not saying that's right. I'm just asking you not to judge him that hard.
