Barcelona legend Hristo Stoichkov says he would “insult” fellow football immortal Luis Figo if he ever gets a chance to meet the former Portugal international player on the streets of Catalonia.
Image: Hristo Stoichkov in Barcelona colors.
Figo and Stoichkov are still very good friends though football almost tore their relationship apart many years ago in Spain.
The former Real Madrid winger attracted wrath from Catalonians and every Barca fan when he swapped La Blaugranas for Los Blancos. For many who never thought that could happen, considering the supercharged rivalry between these two Spanish club sides, Figo remains a deserter.
Stoichkov and Figo participated in a game of ‘true of false’ by Spanish-language American broadcaster Univision on Friday, and the Bulgarian made it clear the ex-winger’s decision to swap La Blaugrana for Madrid still rankled him, Football Espana wrote.
When Figo denied he was insulted by Barcelona locals on his trips back to the region and joked “it was only” Stoichkov who did, the 1994 World Cup star whose goal qualified Bulgaria to a World Cup semi-final, responded: “It’s true, if I see you in Barcelona then I’ll insult you!”
Figo spent five years at Barca between 1995 and 2000, winning two La Liga titles among other trophies during his time at Camp Nou,
The Portuguese legend joined Real Madrid for a then-record fee of €62m.
When questioned on whether he regretted his change of scenery, the 2000 Ballon d’Or winner retorted: “It was a wise decision, when you’re not valued somewhere and you have the opportunity to change for the better. I won many trophies with Real Madrid and that’s what counts.”
Figo then concluded by agreeing Jose Mourinho was the best Coach in the world and placing Eusebio above Cristiano Ronaldo as the best player of all time.
Hristo Stoichkov is a retired Bulgarian footballer who is currently a football commentator for Univision Deportes. As a prolific forward, he is regarded as one of the best players of his generation and is widely considered the greatest Bulgarian footballer of all time.
Stoichkov was runner-up for the FIFA World Player of the Year award in 1992 and 1994, and received the Ballon d’Or in 1994.
He was a member of the Bulgaria national team that finished fourth at the 1994 World Cup, of which he was the top scorer with six goals and received the World Cup Golden Shoe.
Image shows Hristo Stoichkov at the USA 1994 World Cup.
He was ranked the third best player at the World Cup, after Romário and Roberto Baggio, and received the World Cup Bronze Ball.
Apart from his footballing talent, he was notable for his on-pitch temper. In his playing career he was nicknamed The Dagger
