Stoichkov: "Leaving Barça was the worst decision of my career"

30 years ago, Hristo Stoichkov signed by the FC Barcelona to initiate a stage that would mark his personal life and his sportive life. The Bulgarian was one of the key players of the 'Dream Team' that won four leagues been still in the 90 and that obtained the first Glass of Europe in the history of the club in 1992. His quality, his harp and his goals did that the Bulgarian turned into one of the most wanted players by the fans.

Three decades after his arrival to the Camp Nou, Stoichkov drafted a letter in which it explained his arrival to the FC Barcelona,​ as well as some memories that has of his stay in the City Condal like player culé. "On 3 May 1990, fiche officially by the FC Barcelona and turned me into the happiest human being of the planet", said the ex forward in the principle of his epistle.

Stoichkov Deepened in how gestó his traspaso. "My arrival to Barcelona began to gestarse a year before. It was April of 1989 when my team of then, the CSKA Sofia, confronted to the Barça in the semifinal of the Recopa of Europe. [...] The smartest of all was Josep María Minguella, the representative and intermediary of the Barça that finish leading my signing beside the already died Paco Ventura, vice-president of the Club in that period. After those parties and see my evolution, both recommended my incorporation to Johan Cruyff, that gave his OK to the signing", wrote.

"To finals of 1989 I already had a precontrato signed with the Barça… but no had said it to him neither to my woman neither to my parents!"

The ex Barcelona explained that it carried his signing by the Barça secretly, even with his family. "To finals of 1989 I already had a precontrato signed with the Barça... But no it had said it to him neither to my woman neither to my parents! It did not want that at all it twisted , so I was quiet until it did official in May of 1990", related.

After his arrival, Stoichkov considers that had a very good integration, adapting with a lot of ease to his new life. "I adapted me fast to his people. [...] During my first stage in Barcelona devoted the days that had free to visit Catalonia. It took the car and displaced me to typical villages. All the world treated me genial, was wonderful! I felt me integrated from the first moment", explained.

Johan Cruyff was a key figure to turn into the player that later was. "To the one who also owe him a lot, or everything, is to Johan Cruyff. Recently landed in Barcelona, memory that said me 'Listen me, will work with you until you win the Balloon of Gold'. I then was practically an unknown boy, and that Cruyff said me that motivated me a lot of. Johan was a big motivator and did a pile of things by me and by my family that will appreciate him evermore. [...] Futbolísticamente Speaking, the starts were not of the all easy. I had to adapt me to the position of the balloon and cost me not running behind him", wrote.

arrepintió To go of the Barça in 1996

The ex Bulgarian attacker remembered his course in 1996 and his turn to the Barça a year later, appreciating to Josep Lluís Núñez and to his woman that were keys "so that it went back to the Barça after my signing by the Parma. Surely, go me of the Barça in 1996 is the worst decision that have taken in my career. If had a magic wand and could change an alone thing of my path, would be that. Fortunately, I could return a year afterwards", remembered.

After appreciating to crowd of people the lived in Barcelona, thanked the fans. "How no, to all the fans. There were a lot of days that failed impossible goals to fail and, second afterwards, here was the Camp Nou applauding me and encouraging me. To me and to all the team. Without them, those years had not been possible. From Miami, command you a strong embrace, especially in these difficult days for all. Visca The Barça! 100%!", it finished.