Stoičkov was one of Cruyff’s main playing supports when the Dutchman was Barcelona’s coach, and he participated in winning four consecutive Primera titles, from 1991 to 1994, as well as in winning the former Champions Cup in 1992.
– 20 years ago, while I was still playing in Bulgaria, Johan suddenly called me one day and said: “I like the way you play football, one day you will play for Barcelona”. It was a very special day in my life, as is what Barcelona is doing now for Cruyff – says Stoičkov.
Cruyyf fulfilled his promise and brought Stoičkov to the club in 1990, and in the following five seasons he played 212 games for Barcelona in all competitions and scored 108 goals. Stoičkov in the 1995/96 season. played for Parma, and then returned to Barça, for which he played two more seasons, but was not as successful as during Cruyff’s “Dream Team”.
– Johan is like a father to me, he is my friend. He is one of the most important players in the history of football. I always had a special relationship with him. I was a member of the team that he managed for five years and I played in every game. I still remember how fun the training sessions led by Cruyff were. In my opinion, he is the closest to what they call a football legend today – Hristo tells Goal.com.
Of course, he was also asked about Leo Messi’s comparisons with the greatest in history…
– I don’t like to do it because it is very difficult to compare, each time has its own. Johan played in his time, I in mine, and Messi is playing in a new era today. It is clear that he is a great player, but the other players from the current Barcelona squad are also very important for the team. A team’s success never depends on just one player. Barcelona is, after all, the best team in the world right now.
Finally, he offered an announcement of Saturday’s “El Clasico” against Real in Madrid from his corner…
– I think there is more pressure on Real than on Barcelona. In such matches, the burden is always greater on the home team, because they are expected to win. Barcelona always have the same mentality that they can demonstrate in every game. It is a winning mentality, which does not exist in Real. That is what will make the difference in this game – concluded Stoičkov.
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