2024-07-03 22:15:28
The legend of world and European football Hristo Stoichkov gave an interview to “France Football” and L’Equipe TV.
– How has football in the Balkans and Eastern Europe developed compared to the years when you were playing?
– I think there is something very important that we need to acknowledge. A lot of things are being overlooked now, such as working with young players. In a certain sense, I am not satisfied, because we have many diamonds in these countries, but we have to polish them. There are many teams, for example, who prefer to take mainly foreigners and do not give their own boys a chance. In this case, I am talking about my country. In Romania they have the same problem, but there they work for the development of young people. They have an impressive academy in Constanta and Romania participated in the European. Over 60% of the players who are in the national team have gone through this training center. We know what they do in Croatia too – a small country that produces quality players. Serbia also has very good footballers, and I can say the same about Montenegro.
– Is there currently no Bulgarian player who deserves attention?
– Today? No, we don’t have one. There are one or two who are 30, 31, 32 years old and play in Greece and Italy. There are also in Turkey or Cyprus. But no one is in “Barcelona”, “Manchester City”, “Arsenal” or “Atlético” (Madrid). I admit it hurts me, but I have to accept it. This is the situation. This is the truth. We have to build something new. Now we have a new person at the helm of football and things will be different. We will pay attention to the young players – those who are 19, 20, 21 years old, to see how it can be worked to participate in major championships. In other words – we know that in football you have to have the spirit of a fighter, and not just in one game. You have to be like that every day and work hard. To listen to what the coach and even the audience want from you. When the coach wants you to make an effort, you have to do the job. It’s so, so easy. Now the youth have too many tattoos, earrings, fancy cars and less time to play football.