bulgarianโ Football Icon Asparuhov Declared “Bigger Than Stoichkov” in Resurfaced Marca โฃReport
SOFIA, Bulgaria – A recently translated article from Spanish sports โdaily Marca has ignited debate amongst Bulgarian football fans, declaring legendary striker Georgi Asparuhov – known affectionately as “Gundi” -โค a more notable figure in the nation’s football history than modern icon Hristo Stoichkov. The report,originally published following Asparuhov’s tragic death in โ1971,resurfaced through a translationโ by “Theme Sports” and highlights the enduring legacy of a player whose career was cut short atโ just 28 years old.
The Marca piece details Asparuhov’s evolution from a โฃdefender early in his national team career toโฃ a prolific โฃstriker following a standout goal against Austria. It underscores โhis impact on the โขEuropean stage, citing praise from Portuguese legend Eusebio after a memorable Champions Cupโ tie betweenโฃ benfica and Levski Sofia inโข 1965 – a match where Asparuhovโข scored in a โ2-2 draw in Sofia, followed by a 3-2 loss in lisbon. This renewed attention to Asparuhov’s career comes as Bulgaria continues to grapple โคwiht its footballing โคidentity and the relative contributions of its greatest players.Asparuhov represented Bulgaria in three World Cups: Chile 1962, England 1966, and mexico 1970. He began his club career atโฃ Levski Sofia,interrupted by mandatory military service which saw him playโค for Botev Plovdiv,where he won a cup championship and finished as league runner-up. Despite interest from Italian giants AC Milan, Asparuhovโข famously rejected a move, stating, “There is a countryโข called Bulgaria. There is a team in this country, which is called Levski, which you know nothing about. Butโ this is my place.Iโ am born here and I โwill die here.”
The Marca report concludes with a poignant account of Asparuhov’s death in a car accident on June 30, 1971, alongside teammate nikola Kotkov. Over โคhalf aโข million people attended his funeral, a testament to his status as a national hero. The resurfaced article serves as a powerful reminder โof Asparuhov’s talent and unwavering dedicationโฃ to Bulgarian โขfootball, prompting a re-evaluation of his place in the nation’s sporting pantheon.