Former teammates of the Bulgarian gather for friendly on his 50th birthday
On Friday in the Bulgarian capital of Sofia, a game was played to commemorate the day, 24 years ago, when FC Barcelona won its first European Cup at Wembley. On what was also his 50th birthday, former Barça star Hristo Stoichkov, who featured in that famous triumph, organised a wonderful celebration in the company of friends and colleagues from the period.
Several former Dream Team members appeared in the game at the Vasil Levski Stadium, including Jose Mari Bakero, Julio Salinas, Sergi Barjuán, Miquel Àngel Nadal and Txiki Begiristain, among others. FC Barcelona was also represented institutionally by director Javier Bordas.
During the build-up to the game, Stoitchkov spoke about what it all means to him. “I was a huge pleasure to play for Barça at such a young age and under the management of Johan Cruyff” he said. “He brought the best out in me. He is still the person who did the most to help me abroad.”
At its last ordinary meeting, the FC Barcelona board of directors decided that in the 2016/17 season, the conquest of the first of five European crowns is to be commemorated in style. The memory of that famous night at Wembley, the finest hour for that magnificent generation of Barça players, is one that deserves to be cherished over and over again.
