Stoichkov started his international career in
September 1987 at the same stadium where he bade farewell
on Wednesday. Fearless and totally committed he
remained the driving force of the Bulgarian team even
after the best years of his career were over. The
highlights came in 1992 when he helped Barcelona win the
European Cup and in 1994 when he inspired Bulgaria to the
semifinals of the World Cup for the first time. Together
with Oleg Salenko of Russia, he finished joint top
scorer with six goals. Later that year he was voted
European footballer of the year. He had made local history
in 1990 when he was transfered from then champions
CSKA Sofia to Barcelona for almost $4.0 millions --
then an unheard of sum in post-communist eastern
Europe. Despite his wonderful gifts on the field, trouble
was never far behind. Stoichkov left Barcelona under
a cloud in March last year after eight years there
and his career has been peppered by frequent rows,
disciplinary problems and sendings-off. But what would a
genius be